Increase Ferritin Levels

[Marijn]

What's the best way to increase your ferritin levels when you're on thyroxine? I don't want to take iron tablets that cause constipation. Is there a iron tablet that doesn't cause constipation? And how about Floradix?

[dunnitall]

Don't know about floradix but best iron prep I know of is Sytron which is known as Sodium Feredetate, is liquid and shouldn't cause constipation though it will depend on each individual, it can be bought over the counter as well as on script. Hope that helps

[Marijn]

Thank you. I've not heard of that. Is it available in England?

[grasscarp]

In the past I got floradix. Tastes ok and did what it claims to do.

[dunnitall]

Marijn yes most chemists stock it and I've been taking it for years, even has a pleasant cherry flavour lol. You could give it a whirl, though be careful to get levels of ferritin checked so that you don't over do it with taking iron.

[Marijn]

Thank you both. How long shall I take it before I get my ferritin level checked again?

[jkelly24]

How low are your ferratin levels Marjin? Has your GP not discussed this with you?

[dunnitall]

Marijn you should discuss it with your doctor, but as a rule you should take it for at least two months but that also depends how low your ferritin is as it could be much longer. Always take iron with orange juice as vit c does help iron absorption and take on an empty stomach if possible and at least two hours before or after taking any other medication. As I say though, your doctor should be guiding you through this, I hope you manage to sort it out to suit you.

[Marijn]

Thank you for your answers. My ferritin level is 17. (my haemoglobin is good though) The doctor put me on iron tablets but they didn't agree with me so I stopped taking them. I had a ECG as part of a health check up and was told I have an irregular heartbeat so am seeing my doctor about that on Thursday. One of the side effects of Thyroxine is an irregular heartbeat, or I thought maybe it could be caused by low ferritin levels, I don't know.

[dunnitall]

Marijn, that is very low for ferritin, I would certainly try the Sytron for sure and at that level you may well be on it for a long time. Do you have coeliac illness too, often it comes with thyroid problems and that will certainly stop your iron getting into the system? As for irregular heart beat (atrial fibrillation etc) yes definitely thyroxine can cause it and maybe the dose will have to be lowered, but with ferritin levels as low as yours that is also a major cause of irregular heartbeat. For hypothyroid patients the ferritin levels are recommended to be between 50 and 70 at their lowest. Hope this helps and you get sorted soon.

[Marijn]

Thank you Dunnitall :-). Why do ferritin levels have to be higher when you have an underactive thyroid?

[dunnitall]

Actually the levels 50 to 70 aren't that high, ferritin levels normally can be much higher than that, but because you get so many problems with the body through having hypothyroidism, it is better to try to keep the ferritin more on the normal than low side because the problems seems to kick in worse when they are low with thyroid trouble. Some doctors don't even realise it and some say under 50 is fine, but to feel "better" in yourself the main levels should really be above the 50 mark. I know for sure that works and when I had levels at 100 I felt so much better in myself but unfortunately that didn't last hence me continuing the iron prep.

[Marijn]

Thank you Dunnitall, you've been a big help :-)

[Marijn]

Hi Dunnitall, I got Sytron from my doctor :-)

[dunnitall]

Oh good Marijn, pleased to hear that thanks. I hope it works for you, at least with liquid you can adjust the dose as I do. Good luck I hope your condition improves. Btw, when opened it lasts three months, just thought I would say but you probably know that by now.

[Marijn]

Hi Dunnitall, I'm having one spoonful a day for now. I've written on the bottle when I opened it, thanks. :-)