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Can low ferritin levels explain breathlessness?

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JohnnyO Jul 2011 12:48pm, 7 Jul 2011 9,473 posts	0 JohnnyO Transferrin saturation.
TamsB Jul 2011 1:29pm, 7 Jul 2011 10 posts	0 TamsB PHippo - that was my understanding ie, iron absorption is an active rather than passive process so your body only absorbs what it needs, while iron overload is a disorder due to a problem with regulation of iron absorption. I work with some iron metabolism scientists so I should really ask them! That said, if the doctors on here are urging caution then its worth listening to that.
plodding hippo Jul 2011 1:34pm, 7 Jul 2011 35,532 posts	0 plodding hippo Im a doc too Tams B
plodding hippo Jul 2011 1:35pm, 7 Jul 2011 35,533 posts	0 plodding hippo And i prefer Standers interpretation of TSAT
TamsB Jul 2011 1:39pm, 7 Jul 2011 11 posts	0 TamsB PHippo - woops sorry (would put in an embarrassed face here if I knew how) I'm a doc too, but PhD in Zoology, so not much help here really. I think my TSAT levels under Standers definition would be high.
HellsBells Jul 2011 1:39pm, 7 Jul 2011 8,529 posts	0 HellsBells iron overdosage is unusual but can be very serious it's the leading cause of death by poisoning in children under 6 in some studies nlm.nih.gov It's highly unlikely in the quantities people on here are using, but i say again, if you don't actually need a medication, don't take it
plodding hippo Jul 2011 1:53pm, 7 Jul 2011 35,534 posts	0 plodding hippo yeah, poisoning is different Most normal people would not be harmed by 600mg oral iron a day, but it might cause nasty side effects for no good reason My patients get intravenous, and we run them with much higher ferritins Johnny makes a good point about over the counter meds not necessarily being "safe" Thank God for Pharmacists looking out for us
JohnnyO Jul 2011 1:56pm, 7 Jul 2011 9,475 posts	0 JohnnyO 1 in 250?? have a genetic haemochromatosis, and will absorp in excess of requirements. (Random facts from the MRCP) (Which I never passed)
plodding hippo Jul 2011 3:01pm, 7 Jul 2011 35,535 posts	0 plodding hippo I DID pass MRCP But it was a long time ago 1 in 250 sounds high to me(unless they are including insulin resistan people) and you d have to take loads over a LONG period of time, wouldnt you We laydees are relatively protected
geordiegirl Jul 2011 9:23am, 12 Jul 2011 3,463 posts	0 geordiegirl I've started taking iron tablets today, here's hoping I see an improvement soon!! (not the most patient of people)