What you read is only a guideline, it's actually very hard to differentiate. I've been to naturopaths, MDs and functional medicine doctors. They all have different ideas about what the different readings mean.
I figured that different doctors would disagree on what the numbers mean so this is not surprising to me!
Low iron saturation can be due to many things... even something as simple as lack of nutrient co-factors (like ceruloplasmin derived from copper).
It's so bizarre but for all the tests I have had in 5+ years of being sick, no doctor has ever tested me for copper (and I have never asked for this test). Is it very important? (sorry if stupid question)!
However, if you have iron deficiency and anemia of chronic disease, then the sequestered ferritin numbers will be low -- which will cause confusion. What are your hemoglobin levels like? Are your RBC normal in shape and size?
My hemoglobin is usually flagged as low but this last blood test from my Endo, it just barely made it into the range at 11.2 (and the bottom of the range is 11.1). It is often under 11 but I have never seen it go under 10 which is why I labeled it as "borderline" anemia. My RBC's and hematocrit are usually flagged as low, too, but this time they also just barely made it into the range (hematocrit was 34.2 and the range starts at 34.0).
I am not sure if my RBC's are normal in shape and size (only because I am still learning about this whole topic). On my last test, the "RDW" was flagged as high at 16.5 and the top of the range was 15.4. I had absolutely no idea what this meant but it stands for "red blood cell distribution width". Several people explained it to me in another thread and I did not retain all the info but I think it meant that the size of the RBC's were abnormal (I guess b/c of low iron or anemia)?
Yeah I have Crohn's + CFS. My terminal ileum is damaged so I don't absorb iron or B vitamins too well.
Do you have to do B-12 injections or infusions? I do not have Crohn's but my levels run low on everything (Vit D, Iron, B-12, Folate, Potassium, etc) without supplementation. I suspect I have some kind of malabsorption problem from having MCAS but really don't know if this is the true cause. I am now taking 10,000 IU's of Vit D b/c with 5,000 IU's, I could not even maintain it at 30 (just as an example).
To find out how much elemental iron usually the ingredient label states, for example: per serving: Iron (as ferrous bisglycinate) 15 mg
The only thing it says on the bottle is 25 mg and I don't know how to do the translation (or whatever it is called)? I know my Endo told me to take 25 to 30 mg so I am assuming it is the right dose?