Guest guest Posted May 22, 2001 Report Share Posted May 22, 2001 Hi folks, just spoke to my internist about my ferritin test and what I thought was good is not good. It turns out that he expected my levels to go up from 18 to about 40 or 50 at least in the past 10 weeks of iron supplementation. Instead they only went up to 23. I will see him next week and he has to test me further, I suggested absorption problems and he said it's a possibility. Does anyone know about CFS and absorption problems in general and what is suggested? I'm afraid that if I'm not absorbing iron, then I'm also not getting anything from my other vitamins and minerals. Any feedback? Judy B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2001 Report Share Posted May 22, 2001 Hello Judy, How's your stomach acid? The acid in the stomach is needed to ionize the minerals in your food so that they can be absorbed by the body. Most people w/ FMS are too alkaline in the stomach acid, one symptom is acid reflux. People tend to think that w/ acid reflux they get too much acid but actually the acid that is being produced is not acidic enough to help move things forward, so it sits in the stomach longer. Anyway you may be interested in the table " Drugs that deplete vitamins " at http://www.xmission.com/~total/temple/Program/datadir/FMS_Etiology/fms pres1pg88.php3 It points out some commonly prescribed medications that interfere with the absorption of some vits. and minerals. Notice that antacids interfere with iron absorption, as does aspirin. All the best, Jim clements@... Fibromyalgia: A hypothesis of etiology http://www.xmission.com/~total/temple/index.html > Hi folks, just spoke to my internist about my ferritin test and what I > thought was good is not good. It turns out that he expected my levels to go > up from 18 to about 40 or 50 at least in the past 10 weeks of iron > supplementation. Instead they only went up to 23. I will see him next week > and he has to test me further, I suggested absorption problems and he said > it's a possibility. Does anyone know about CFS and absorption problems in > general and what is suggested? I'm afraid that if I'm not absorbing iron, > then I'm also not getting anything from my other vitamins and minerals. Any > feedback? > Judy B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2001 Report Share Posted May 22, 2001 Judy B., I have not followed your earlier iron related posts. If you wish to do some reading preparation before your next meeting with your doc, you need to know that there are lots of reasons for anemia and not just iron deficiency. A doctor will generally go through a diagnostic algorithm, starting with examining the red cell indices on the CBC report. Anemia can also be caused by things as various as lead poisoning, leukemia, and recently even the bacterium H. Pylori. All these can be very easily sorted out with just lab tests. Wish you well, Gail > Hi folks, just spoke to my internist about my ferritin test and what I > thought was good is not good. It turns out that he expected my levels to go > up from 18 to about 40 or 50 at least in the past 10 weeks of iron > supplementation. Instead they only went up to 23. I will see him next week > and he has to test me further, I suggested absorption problems and he said > it's a possibility. Does anyone know about CFS and absorption problems in > general and what is suggested? I'm afraid that if I'm not absorbing iron, > then I'm also not getting anything from my other vitamins and minerals. Any > feedback? > Judy B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2001 Report Share Posted May 23, 2001 Now that's an interesting point, I have read a lot about stomach acid problems with CFS persons and maybe if that's the problem I should be taking a supplement...what was the thing that Cheney recommends? Judy Re: iron absorption > > Hello Judy, > > How's your stomach acid? The acid in the stomach is needed to > ionize the minerals in your food so that they can be absorbed by the > body. Most people w/ FMS are too alkaline in the stomach acid, one > symptom is acid reflux. People tend to think that w/ acid reflux they > get too much acid but actually the acid that is being produced is not > acidic enough to help move things forward, so it sits in the stomach > longer. Anyway you may be interested in the table " Drugs that deplete > vitamins " at > > http://www.xmission.com/~total/temple/Program/datadir/FMS_Etiology/fms > pres1pg88.php3 > > It points out some commonly prescribed medications that interfere with > the absorption of some vits. and minerals. Notice that antacids > interfere with iron absorption, as does aspirin. > > All the best, > Jim > clements@... > Fibromyalgia: A hypothesis of etiology > http://www.xmission.com/~total/temple/index.html > > > > > > > Hi folks, just spoke to my internist about my ferritin test and what > I > > thought was good is not good. It turns out that he expected my > levels to go > > up from 18 to about 40 or 50 at least in the past 10 weeks of iron > > supplementation. Instead they only went up to 23. I will see him > next week > > and he has to test me further, I suggested absorption problems and > he said > > it's a possibility. Does anyone know about CFS and absorption > problems in > > general and what is suggested? I'm afraid that if I'm not absorbing > iron, > > then I'm also not getting anything from my other vitamins and > minerals. Any > > feedback? > > Judy B. > > > This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2001 Report Share Posted May 23, 2001 Dear Gail, The situation is rather strange as my hgb is low normal (12.7) but my ferretin levels dont seem to be picking up. The rest of my CBC was perfectly normal, down the center of the graph in almost everything, low red blood cells but still in the normal range and they have been lower at times. Anyhow dont think it's leukemia or lead poisoning, had heavy metal testing. H. Pylori? Well that's a thought, I had a test for it three years ago and it was negative, along with a full colonoscopy and endoscopy, that's when they thought I had IBS, but it went away and the test was ok..so who knows, my guess is malabsorption with the anemia probem stemming from heavy periods, who knows...will keep you posted. Thanks, Judy Re: iron absorption > Judy B., > I have not followed your earlier iron related posts. If you wish to > do some reading preparation before your next meeting with your doc, > you need to know that there are lots of reasons for anemia and not > just iron deficiency. A doctor will generally go through a diagnostic > algorithm, starting with examining the red cell indices on the CBC > report. Anemia can also be caused by things as various as lead > poisoning, leukemia, and recently even the bacterium H. Pylori. All > these can be very easily sorted out with just lab tests. > > Wish you well, > Gail > > > > > > > Hi folks, just spoke to my internist about my ferritin test and what > I > > thought was good is not good. It turns out that he expected my > levels to go > > up from 18 to about 40 or 50 at least in the past 10 weeks of iron > > supplementation. Instead they only went up to 23. I will see him > next week > > and he has to test me further, I suggested absorption problems and > he said > > it's a possibility. Does anyone know about CFS and absorption > problems in > > general and what is suggested? I'm afraid that if I'm not absorbing > iron, > > then I'm also not getting anything from my other vitamins and > minerals. Any > > feedback? > > Judy B. > > > This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2001 Report Share Posted May 23, 2001 Cheney suggests supplementing with Betaine Hydrochloride. The only brands I have any experience with are " Country Life " which is a tablet form and " Nature's Life " which is in a capsule. I prefer the capsule form. To increase your iron, you may want to get some unsulphered mollasses and start using that as a sweetner. Your local health food store should carry some quality brands. You can pick it up with your hydrochloride. Hope to hear some good results from you. All the best, Jim > > > Hi folks, just spoke to my internist about my ferritin test and what > > I > > > thought was good is not good. It turns out that he expected my > > levels to go > > > up from 18 to about 40 or 50 at least in the past 10 weeks of iron > > > supplementation. Instead they only went up to 23. I will see him > > next week > > > and he has to test me further, I suggested absorption problems and > > he said > > > it's a possibility. Does anyone know about CFS and absorption > > problems in > > > general and what is suggested? I'm afraid that if I'm not absorbing > > iron, > > > then I'm also not getting anything from my other vitamins and > > minerals. Any > > > feedback? > > > Judy B. > > > > > > This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each > other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment > discussed here, please consult your doctor. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2001 Report Share Posted May 24, 2001 In a message dated 5/24/01 9:44:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time, baumelj@... writes: > I think a nickname for the molasses that is rich in iron is " blackstrap " and it's supposed to be very strong and not the best tasting stuff in the world. Nothing you would get at the grocery store I don't think. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2001 Report Share Posted May 24, 2001 Dear Jim, I have heard about the molasses and wanted to get some, the only thing you can get in this end of the world is something called " mulsa " which is the Hebrew word for what I guess is molasses - unsulphured? Who knows? What's the difference between sulphured and unsulphured? It is better to eat the molasses of any form than not to eat it at all - can the other kinds hurt you? Thanks Judy Re: iron absorption > > Cheney suggests supplementing with Betaine Hydrochloride. The only > brands I have any experience with are " Country Life " which is a tablet > form and " Nature's Life " which is in a capsule. I prefer the capsule > form. > > To increase your iron, you may want to get some unsulphered mollasses > and start using that as a sweetner. Your local health food store > should carry some quality brands. You can pick it up with your > hydrochloride. > > Hope to hear some good results from you. > > All the best, > Jim > > > > > > > > Hi folks, just spoke to my internist about my ferritin test and > what > > > I > > > > thought was good is not good. It turns out that he expected my > > > levels to go > > > > up from 18 to about 40 or 50 at least in the past 10 weeks of > iron > > > > supplementation. Instead they only went up to 23. I will see him > > > next week > > > > and he has to test me further, I suggested absorption problems > and > > > he said > > > > it's a possibility. Does anyone know about CFS and absorption > > > problems in > > > > general and what is suggested? I'm afraid that if I'm not > absorbing > > > iron, > > > > then I'm also not getting anything from my other vitamins and > > > minerals. Any > > > > feedback? > > > > Judy B. > > > > > > > > > This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences > with each > > other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any > treatment > > discussed here, please consult your doctor. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2001 Report Share Posted May 24, 2001 You want unsulphered- the sulphered kind is waste product of using sulpher to create sugar. Good molasses is made from fully ripened 10-14 month old cane. Blackstrap has less sugar and more iron, but all molasses has a lot of iron. And it doesn't taste bad- just not as sweet as you think. Good in baking. tansy > Re: Re: iron absorption > > > Dear Jim, > I have heard about the molasses and wanted to get some, the > only thing you > can get in this end of the world is something called " mulsa " > which is the > Hebrew word for what I guess is molasses - unsulphured? Who > knows? What's > the difference between sulphured and unsulphured? It is > better to eat the > molasses of any form than not to eat it at all - can the > other kinds hurt > you? > Thanks > Judy > Re: iron absorption > > > > > > Cheney suggests supplementing with Betaine Hydrochloride. The only > > brands I have any experience with are " Country Life " which > is a tablet > > form and " Nature's Life " which is in a capsule. I prefer > the capsule > > form. > > > > To increase your iron, you may want to get some unsulphered > mollasses > > and start using that as a sweetner. Your local health food store > > should carry some quality brands. You can pick it up with your > > hydrochloride. > > > > Hope to hear some good results from you. > > > > All the best, > > Jim > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi folks, just spoke to my internist about my > ferritin test and > > what > > > > I > > > > > thought was good is not good. It turns out that he expected my > > > > levels to go > > > > > up from 18 to about 40 or 50 at least in the past 10 weeks of > > iron > > > > > supplementation. Instead they only went up to 23. I > will see him > > > > next week > > > > > and he has to test me further, I suggested absorption problems > > and > > > > he said > > > > > it's a possibility. Does anyone know about CFS and absorption > > > > problems in > > > > > general and what is suggested? I'm afraid that if I'm not > > absorbing > > > > iron, > > > > > then I'm also not getting anything from my other vitamins and > > > > minerals. Any > > > > > feedback? > > > > > Judy B. > > > > > > > > > > > > This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences > > with each > > > other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any > > treatment > > > discussed here, please consult your doctor. > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 This is the second time now over a 10 months span. I had a severe gout attack after 2 years of arresting this very painful condition. Gout can manifest as pseudo gout from CPPD associated with hemochromatosis or as classic gout due to uric acid levels and purine issues. As mentioned back in Dec. 2008 I noticed after 2 months of T that my iron levels had slowed down increasing and I was able to extend the period of having to give blood. After 5 months of not giving any blood, and having what I thought was classic gout, I gave 2 pints in a week and my Fe was border anemic (the target level) at Fe14. This again supports my claim that the T is somehow affecting hepcidin (master control hormone of iron found in liver) production thus inhibiting massive amounts of iron absorption. I will continue to track this but this is now the second time in a 10 month span. I think that if Fe stays contained over the next few months that there needs to be a clinical test prompted at UCLA or one of the universities in the past that studied hepcidin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 When I first got sick after an auto accident the Dr.'s I seen would not say what was wrong with me was do the the accident. I feel this was because of a lawsuit I had. Anyway the first set of labs done showed me to be Anemic and I was put on strong Iron pills this did not help me to feel better. I had what looked like CFS. So I was sent to a blood Dr. this guy was foreign and I could not understand one word he said. Anyway he redid my labs for Iron but never told me to stop the iron pills a week before doing them. My levels came back good and he said I was not Anemic. I now know he was wrong when we found my Ferritin levels below normal last yr. And looking back at my labs going way back it show on my CBC that I could be Anemic. I feel I have had this problem from day one going back some 27 yrs. I had bad times of pain in my feet toes so bad the sheet hurt them in bed. I was told it was gout it would come and go never knew what was the problem. Now on iron pills I don't get this anymore and we did not yet find out why my Iron levels are low I am not bleeding and don't have digestion problems. Only thing we found was my Folic Acid was below normal on a blood lab and at the time I was supplementing Folic Acid. So to get my levels back up we tired Folacal from Thorne Research. My Folic Acid levels come up but we don't yet know if this helped my low iron. I lost a lot of blood having heart bypass sugary and am told it will take a long time for my blood to build back up I had 5 surgery's. So I am still on Iron pills Co-Moderator Phil > From: tomubl <ubl@...> > Subject: Iron Absorption > > Date: Monday, June 1, 2009, 5:24 AM > This is the second time now over a 10 > months span. I had a severe gout attack after 2 years > of arresting this very painful condition. Gout can > manifest as pseudo gout from CPPD associated with > hemochromatosis or as classic gout due to uric acid levels > and purine issues. > > As mentioned back in Dec. 2008 I noticed after 2 months of > T that my iron levels had slowed down increasing and I was > able to extend the period of having to give blood. > > After 5 months of not giving any blood, and having what I > thought was classic gout, I gave 2 pints in a week and my Fe > was border anemic (the target level) at Fe14. This > again supports my claim that the T is somehow affecting > hepcidin (master control hormone of iron found in liver) > production thus inhibiting massive amounts of iron > absorption. > > I will continue to track this but this is now the second > time in a 10 month span. I think that if Fe stays > contained over the next few months that there needs to be a > clinical test prompted at UCLA or one of the universities in > the past that studied hepcidin. > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.