Iron: What gets it down?

[mike716]

Okay, I'm probably posting too much. So I'll ease up after this one. But I've seen some suggestions by forum members about how to get down iron levels, and I thought it would be a nice idea if everyone who knew of some way to do it posted it so that we'd have a list of them. I'm into organizing things. I know it's annoying but I can't help it, it's a mania of mine.

Like, I saw a post from MerryBe about a drug named desferal or something that reduces iron and maybe could even replace plebotomy. She also mentioned that black tea binds iron. I didn't know either of these things. I've got high iron and i want to get it down, if possible before starting therapy.

There's this webpage I read (http://lefcms.lef.org/protocols/infections/hepatitis_c_01.htm) that says: " Despite substantial scientific evidence, however, few physicians implement iron-depletion therapy before beginning antiviral therapy. This partially accounts for the high failure rate of conventional drugs in eradicating the virus (Boucher E et al 1997; Martin-Vivaldi R et al 1997; Tsai NC et al 1997). So it seems like it might be important for me to start doing something now rather than later about my high iron, but I don't really know what to do. I mean, there's lactoferrin and IP6/Inositol as supplements, but there are also probably a lot of other things that reduce iron. I'd really like to know what they all are so I could decide what to take.

Maybe others would benefit from the same info.

So, if I'm not making too much of a pain in the a$$ of myself, could I twist everyone's arm who knows something about this to post it here?

Thanks!

Mike

[Trinity4]

What does your doctor say about your iron levels?  From what I read they aren't that bad.  It's a known fact anyone starting tx should not have elevated ferritin or iron levels but yours isn't over the top.  Have you been given a recommendation by your doctors yet or is this something you will be discussing with them?
Trinity

[mike716]

Whew, I'm glad you two are getting your regular skins back. That PCT sounds pretty grim.

More reason to get the iron down before I do tx. But I still say there's gotta be some way easier than phlebotomy. I'm looking for lactoferrin and inositol, but finding supps down here in the Southern Hemisphere is like looking for good tango partners in New York.

Mike

[mike716]

Thank you very much. I'm a bit scared, I must admit. I don't like needles much.

Mike

[GSDgirl]

PCT is porphyria caused by porphyrins and has something to do with too much iron in the blood / liver.  It is pretty complicated.  You don't have it, believe me you would know if you did.  Yes the scars on my hands are barely noticable & trinity said hers are very faint too.  I never realized iron overload was so dangerous.  

No question is a dumb question BTW.

GSD Denise

[Isobella]

Wish you the best with the biopsy!  

Isobella

[mike716]

PCT comes from too much iron? So getting down iron before tx is essential, huh?

Will your and Trinity's purple scarring eventually clear up? (I sure hope so!)

Forgive me for the dumb questions. I'm trying to get this stuff into focus. It's all new to me. I was only diagnosed three months ago. First biopsy day after tomorrow. I don't really understand a thing yet, not with any clarity.

So I appreciate the insights into iron, phlebotomy, PCT, anemia, and everything else.

Thanks!

Mike