Substitute iron or not ? (low serum ferritin)

[Markus83]

Hello together,

I've been found to be iron deficient for at least two years now. Recently, serum ferritin came back with 15 ug/l (normal 30-300), but sTFR (soluble transferrin receptor) was normal. I'm not sure if I should supplement iron or not. I'm male and not a vegetarian.

Iron is important for energy metabolism and immun function, as you surely know. On the other hand it can feed parasites and most bacteria (except borrelia). I do have a chronic infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

What do you think, does it make sense to subsitute? I have also low T3, T8 and especially T4 cells, which - what I heard - may be caused by iron deficiency.

Thanks,
Markus

 

[Learner1]

I have hemachromatosis, a condition of too high iron, which I need to get removed from me periodically. My doctor advised not letting serum ferritin go below 60 or my mitochondria wouldn't work well to make energy.

Your value sounds low. I know iron bisglycinate supplements work well, and one can also have iron IVs.

 

[alex3619]

Ferritin is not a good marker for iron levels, its a first pass analysis. The iron saturation and other markers also need to be considered. I had super high ferritin but my iron was so low it was probable I was anemic if I also have low blood volume ... and this as a haemochromatosis carrier. Look at all the results in your iron assay.