Low Ferritin

[scareddee]

Hi,

I've been suffering with an extreme amount of pvc's/pac's lately.  I have mitral valve prolapse with trace regurgitation.  I just received a copy of my lab work, which my doctor said looked fine.  I noticed my ferritin level was marked as being low.  Normal is 10-232 ng/mL.  Mine is 7.  Could this be a contributing factor to my increasd palps?  Should it be treated?

[Madge270]

I have a lot of PVCs daily, and have high ferritin. It's a little over 300, and the top of normal for a woman is 150.  So I'm not sure whether increasing your iron level will help or not.

[ruthling]

I have the same exact problem as you.  My Ferritin level is 1!!!! I have mitral valve prolapse with PACs/PVCs too. My Cardiologist told me to take an iron supplement.  Hopefully this will help.

[itdood]

I did a quick google search and yes, heart palps are listed for low ferritin.  

I've never heard that association directly but it seems possible to me.  Low ferritin is basically anemia and blood cannot carry as much O2, and lowered 02 uptake is a possible trigger (of many different triggers) for ectopic beats like PACs/PVCs.  I wonder why the doc chose to ignore it?  Seem like low enough to be outside the margin of error to me.

Call your doc up and ask why it's not an issue.  I think iron supps are the way to get it back up but this should be done with your doc because if not done right it can be harmful (iron supps).