I think this is a major culprit for me at the moment. Can cause both RLS and hypothyroidism (which comprise the bulk of my current symptoms).
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
I take a slow Fe each day. My husband has been anemic for several years. He takes 2 iron pills per day. I wonder if his Babesia is the cause?
Posted by axseptants (Member # 32296) on :
I am treating it right now with Kirkman's liquid iron. One teaspoon twice daily.
Posted by VV (Member # 38828) on :
How were you all diagnosed?
I already know my ferritin and %saturation is on the low side but my serum and TIBC are fine. Hemoglobin is actually at the top of the range.
I've heard it's dangerous to treat iron levels when the patient has a bacterial infection (it feeds them somehow?). If anyone knows more about this, please chime in.
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
Blood Builder by Mega Food helped me when I needed it.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I use Blood Builder. I had both low ferritin and low hemoglobin. I've supplemented iron since I went through puberty and my gyn thinks I'll have to supplement until menopause. For me it wasn't lyme/babs, though babs certainly seemed to make it worse.
My levels are under control, but I when I get lazy and stop supplementing they slip lower and I get fatigued. You can get fatigued from low ferritin.
I've never seen my hemoglobin get higher than the 13 range (it's usually in the 12 range with supplementation), so I have no experience with high hemoglobin.
I take blackstrap molasses in addition to the Blood Builder.
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
My hemoglobin is 13 with supplementation.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Yes, I've treated low iron...have tried supplements and gotten iron infusions. In my experience, it can take a few weeks for the benefits of the iron to start making a difference.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
quote:Originally posted by Razzle: Yes, I've treated low iron...have tried supplements and gotten iron infusions. In my experience, it can take a few weeks for the benefits of the iron to start making a difference.
For sure. It took more than a few for me. But I definitely feel better having my ferritin in the 60 range than I did when it was 20.
Posted by nonna05 (Member # 33557) on :
Six, Hi ! I couldn't find Body Builder on Amazon. Is it from the doctor.
I was told years ago that my Iron was low on second tier test and I should take some everyday,,
No girly parts to worry about monthly. So they were surprised I was Low.
It was at the start of all this..
I got so wrapped up in searching for answers I forgot about supplementing Iron. Then I thought I read here that they feed off the stuff.
I was later told that you can get to much, so I tried to do it by food...don't think that's doing it, but nobody is saying take iron right now.
What is a good slow release doesn't interfer with meds choice.. I'll check with LLMD before start.
Posted by txgirl09 (Member # 21612) on :
Nonna ~ Its blood builder by megafoods...not Body Builder. I found it at our local health food store.
My iron is very low too so I recently started the Blood Builder.
Posted by sickmate (Member # 31502) on :
I have read that the body keeps iron levels low in case of some bacterial infections because iron feeds some bacteria (like chlamydia pn).
since i read this i understand why i crashed when i supplemented iron.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Babesia can cause very low iron.
Stinging Nettle (the herb) corrected the iron deficiency for me. -
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Yes, it's Blood Builder, not Body Builder. I like it because it's from food sources and also has the stuff that helps you absorb iron better - vitamin C, folic acid, and B12.
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
Wow....I have one small improvement. At the time of this thread, my hemoglobin was 13 while taking a Slow fe/day.
I had Novasure ablation in October due to very heavy periods.
I stopped Iron supplementation in Nov. Now my ferritin is 73 and my hemoglobin is 14.8 without supplementation.
YAHOO! for small victories Posted by OtterJ (Member # 30701) on :
I take iron supplements, ferrous glucconate, it is easier on the stomach and can be bought over the counter at any pharmacy. You need iron and if the critters won't share, you need supplementation. The other reason could be that you are unable to absorb iron through a lyme damaged gut. I don't know if taking extra iron would help in that case. Also Bartonella need iron as well as Babesia.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
I second what Otter wrote. I take ferrous gluconate every day-have been since 2004. I take 300 mg (35mg elemental iron) daily, and double that dose when I have my period. I also take it with 1000mg Vitamin C, as it is supposed to aid iron absorption. Despite doing this, my last ferritin level was 22. This is the highest it has ever been, and although I am pleased with 22, I would much rather it be in the 80's. (Prior my ferritin ranged from 7-12). I spoke to my LLND about "feeding the bugs", regarding iron and magnesium supplementation, and he quite sternly reminded me that feeding my body first is the priority so that I can fight the bugs. So I continue with ferrous gluconate and magnesium supplementation daily.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
I am dealing with this right now. I have been anemic off and on for many years, but this is the worst I have felt from it.
My Ferritin is only 11, and my Transferrin Saturation is low at 19 which is in the range for Anemia Chronic Disease.
I have tried four different iron supplements, and they have all had bad side effects.
Razzle, how did the infusions work for you? Do you know how low levels need to be to get an infusion?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Stinging Nettle brought my iron back up from the floor a couple different times. It's remarkable and helpful in so many other ways, too.
STINGING NETTLE - Links set -
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Hi Sammi,
Are we sisters? We have so many of the same problems...
I have chronically low hemoglobin and low iron. When my iron stores get really low, my hematologist orders IV infusions. They boost me up to normal level and then I gradually drop down over a couple months again.
I take Stinging Nettle and Floradix Iron tablets, these are the best supplements that I have found to slow the iron loss. Still my hemoglobin hangs around 9 with every lab draw. Wish I could raise it up, I'm sure I could have more energy.
I feel so much better right after the Iron infusions. If you need them, go ahead and get them.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Thanks Keebler!
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Hi sammy! Yes we are sisters with even the same name just spelled slightly differently! We do have a lot of similar issues.
Floradix is the only iron that did not bother me, but it did not improve my levels at all. You must feel completely exhausted all the time with the levels you have. I have had anemia many times, but this is the worst I have felt from it. I am shocked at how bad it is.
I would love to see if an infusion will help. My local doctor ran more labs. If the labs justify an infusion, he will call a hematologist. If they don't justify one, I don't know what I will do. I am sure I will not hear back until next week.
How long does an infusion take? Are there any side effects? Since your levels are consistently low, why can't you get regular infusions?
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