Ferritin Low

[illinoisguy]

I just got a bunch of tests run (including hormones) and my ferritin level came back low at 19.8 ng/mL (standard range of test is 30.0 - 490.0 ng/mL). Both iron (84 ug/dL) and hemoglobin (16.0 g/dL) came back normal. What does this indicate? Should I have any other tests run? Doctor put me on 325 mg of Ferrous Sulfate once a day for 8 weeks ....is this proper treatment? For reference I am a 44 year old male, 215lbs, 6'2", decent shape, only major medical issues is I lost my spleen approximately 15 years ago. Thanks!

 

[Systemlord]

I just got a bunch of tests run (including hormones) and my ferritin level came back low at 19.8 ng/mL (standard range of test is 30.0 - 490.0 ng/mL). Both iron (84 ug/dL) and hemoglobin (16.0 g/dL) came back normal. What does this indicate?

This indicates you are well on your way towards iron deficiency which takes time to develop.

Doctor put me on 325 mg of Ferrous Sulfate once a day for 8 weeks ....is this proper treatment?

You would fare better on 28mg iron chelated, iron Ferrous Sulfate is poorly absorbed and has more side effects.

 

[Vince Carter]

Do you have stomach issues...GERD, acid reflux, etc etc....

 

[pyater]

Second Systemlord's advice. The Chelated iron helped me absorb better than ferrous sulfate.

 

[illinoisguy]

I have acid reflux. I have been taking the Ferrous Sulfate for 5 days now. I take it in the morning, on an empty stomach, with a small glass of OJ. I had some acid reflux one day (had to take my Omeprazole prescription) but otherwise no issues.

 

[Vince Carter]

I have acid reflux. I have been taking the Ferrous Sulfate for 5 days now. I take it in the morning, on an empty stomach, with a small glass of OJ. I had some acid reflux one day (had to take my Omeprazole prescription) but otherwise no issues.

These sort of stomach issues can and do cause malabsorption of nutrients. Look in to if you haven't the pre/pro-biotics. Worked wonders for my reflux and GERD.

 

[pyater]

I would be careful with PPI Proton Pump Inhibitors (Omeprazole) - Not a Doc but I think the PPI aggravated my iron/ferritin issues. My Dr. switched me to Famotidine from PPI. You may want to ask about that. Could be the combo of TRT and PPI.

 

[Vince Carter]

I agree PPI's I think caused me some problems, totally alleviated my symptoms but they have nasty sides if you read up on them.

 

[illinoisguy]

Thanks! I had no idea Omeprazole could affect iron/ferritin. Doctor precribed 40 mg years ago but i only take them when acid reflux flares up (2 or 3 times a week on average). Pre/pro-biotics can help? Any one specifically?

 

[Vince]

I just got a bunch of tests run (including hormones) and my ferritin level came back low at 19.8 ng/mL (standard range of test is 30.0 - 490.0 ng/mL). Both iron (84 ug/dL) and hemoglobin (16.0 g/dL) came back normal. What does this indicate? Should I have any other tests run? Doctor put me on 325 mg of Ferrous Sulfate once a day for 8 weeks ....is this proper treatment? For reference I am a 44 year old male, 215lbs, 6'2", decent shape, only major medical issues is I lost my spleen approximately 15 years ago. Thanks!

Here's a thread you may be interested in Reading.

My experiment with IP6 (Iron chelator)

 

[Systemlord]

I would be careful with PPI Proton Pump Inhibitors (Omeprazole) - Not a Doc but I think the PPI aggravated my iron/ferritin issues. My Dr. switched me to Famotidine from PPI. You may want to ask about that. Could be the combo of TRT and PPI.

Only two weeks ago I figured out the Proton Pump Inhibitor I was prescribe caused me to become deficient in vitamin C and potassium. This caused my TRT restart to fail.

 

[Vince Carter]

I take 2 of these with meals and I've almost totally gotten off of even having to use the occassional Tums. Note i take more than the label prescribes but I got no relief with that.

Robot Check

 

[illinoisguy]

So iron chelated along with the probiotic?

 

[Vince]

So iron chelated along with the probiotic?

Good vitamin c levels also help the absorption of iron. I was surprised how low my vitamin c level was even though I supplement with 2000 mg daily, I up my dose to 4,000 mg. Hopefully that will get my vitamin c in a better range.

 

[pyater]

Yep Vitamin C for help with absorption (at least 500 MG)and L-lysine can help as well.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

This is a good read Low Ferritin is bad

 

[illinoisguy]

So does acid reflux, Omeprazole (Proton Pump Inhibitors), or both, cause reduced ferritin levels? Or do they just inhibit the absorption of ferritin into the body?

 

[Vince Carter]

They inhibit absorption of all kinds of nutrients. The culprit is actually LOW stomach acid, not too much acid. The low acid environment in the stomach will not digest your food, etc etc and that undigested content is what "refluxes" and causes gas/bloat/heartburn.

 

[wondering]

PPIs can also cause kidney disease in some, so I would be cautious.

Dr. Mariano would alway recommend Proferrin for iron supplementation. I have it. It's heme iron so absorbs well and minimal side effects. It's kind of expensive, but works well.

 

[illinoisguy]

Thanks all! Iron Chelated and Vitamin C ordered.