They had me on prescription iron and the one doc doubled my dose following my hysterectomy. It had something in it to increase absorption, too.
I think they poisoned me. I was anemic - that's why I was on it. But when I called and told them I was still weak, he went ahead and doubled my dose - said my iron was okay, but my iron stores were low.
Am I in iron overload? I have a nice healthy iron now, but I don't eat anything with iron at all.
Also, they were confused when I had told them that an iron pill gave me diarrhea. Iron is supposed to constipate.
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To know for sure, you should ask for a copy of the blood test. The doc said your stores were low so he was probably referring to the ferritin level. If ferritin is in range, you probably can rule out an iron problem. If your concerned, get another blood test that checks serum iron as well as serum ferritin and/or transferrin saturation.
A lot of people who are anemic take iron supps so you may want to find a doc who listens (not always easy) to your concerns.
But as others have said...it's always good to look over those blood tests yourself or look them over with a doctor who cares...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 36 | From Connecticut | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
I have Hereditary Hemochromotosis. My body absorbs too much iron and causes iron overload. A serum iron alone will not diagnose iron overload. Mine was high normal but my ferritin was 1099(normal range 20-380). This diagnosis was missed for a long time as Dr's don't routinely check ferritin or even think to. I asked for the tests as I was searching for what my health problems may be. You need a ferritin and transferrin saturation level. Horrible disease if you don't get treatment. I thought this was my problem then got the adrenal insufficiency diagnosed then the growth hormone deficiency and now finally the Lyme. Hope the Lyme is it. I thought about you when I was reading the symptoms of Lyme at a website and it included sensitivity to electrical appliances. Hadn't run across that one before. Hope you get to feeling better soon.
Posts: 383 | From Ar | Registered: May 2007
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posted
I don't know if the Lyme is responsible for my growth hormone deficiency or not. Could be damage to the pituitary from the hemochromotosis or auto-immune.
I've seen 6 different endocrinologists and opinions differ as to the cause of my pituitary and adrenal problems. Now adding the Lyme to the mix confuses the picture more.
I hope it is the Lyme and with treatment I get function back. I haven't told my Endo about the Lyme diagnosis and don't know if I will. It won't change his treatment and with all the controversy?? My LLMD says quite a few patients with Lyme have adrenal and growth hormone problems. He seems knowledgeable about it.
Tailz what are your symptoms? I had 1 unit of blood taken every 2 wks for 18 mos to get my ferritin level down. It is recommended 1 to 2 units per week as they want to get the excess out as soon as possible. I couldn't tolerate it that often as I was so sick. I was 98 lbs and 10% functional. I looked and felt horrible.
It was around this same time I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease(adrenal insufficiency) so I was not able to donate and went to the hospital outpatient department. I don't know if a donation center will take it if you have Lyme. I would not think so.
Without diagnosis and treatment it can cause liver cancer, diabetes, heart problems etc. damage to any organ or tissue in your body.
You can get overload from ingesting too much iron--- supplements,our foods are loaded with it esp. breakfast cereals, blood transfusions can increase your iron and it can be a hereditary disease problem, like me. Women have there monthly cycle and that helps them keep ferritin levels down.
I have a phlebotomy(unit of blood taken off)every 2-3 mos to keep my levels down. Ask your Dr for a ferritin level and transferrin saturation. Dr's don't routinely check this and should.
Posts: 383 | From Ar | Registered: May 2007
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
Desferal is used for aluminum toxicity and when using it people are alerted to watch out, because it pulls out iron also.
Google 1) Iron Overload Klinghardt 2) Desferal Iron Overload Klinghardt
Take care.
Just sharing my experiences.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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