Too much iron - my doctor's concern

Since my doctor's visit's bloodwork revealed the other day that I had too much iron in my system, the doctor was concerned. If any of you have this problem and are taking the supplements below, please let me know if any could be a contributing factor:

- A daily does of 800mg vitamin D (my regular doctor suggested because my bloodwork shows a deficiency in my body for months now)
- A daily dose of Milk Thistle at 1000mg
- A daily One-A-Day vitamin (without iron)
- Three times a week an extra 500mg vitamin C tablet
- Three times a week a capsule of 850mg Fish Oil also containing 440mg Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- A daily dose of three Cosomin DS capsules containing Glucosamine (FCHG49) and Chondroitin Sulfate (TRH122) for my joint pains due to Arthritis...
- A daily cup of Soy Milk with my cereal

If any of you have any knowledge regarding if any of the above may contribute to my iron overload, please let me know. also, as most of you, I have low platelets, but not at the danger point...

Magnum

[jjhvc]

What kind of cereal?

[Magnum]

Usually Spoon Size Shredded Wheat mildly coated with honey, and sometimes Quaker Oats Granola...

Magnum

[Magnum]

A well-balanced diet should contain all the essential vitamins and minerals you need, but some people also take vitamin supplements. Taking megavitamin supplements may be harmful. Avoid taking high doses of vitamins A and D; vitamin A can be very toxic to the liver. If you need extra vitamins and/or minerals, choose a low-dose supplement without iron...

Read more here:

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepC/hcvinformation_2006.html

[merryBe]

there have been 3 iron issue threads in the last 3 days...I suggest you read them

the vitamin C you should not take with meals or snacks containing any iron as they will cause the iron to become bioavailable.

many fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables have iron but it is non-heme type...not easily absorbable.However if you eat heme iron (meat/eggs) with it, or anything acidic or containing vitamin C..then you make the bound iron become available...
so this is the chief supplement you need to rethink.
Not saying don't get some C...because it is helpful to cell health and as  an antioxidant...but better you should eat a citrus snack alone or with other non-iron foods.
trouble is, everything has some iron in it.
Eating an orange alone is your safeest bet. Why do you think you need a gram and a half a day of C?  

[jmjm530]

Your docs concern is no doubt in part that studies show too much iron lowers your chance of SVR. My understanding is that phlebotomy is the most effective way to go if your iron stores are too high.

[foofighter]

Were your low platelets an issue for qualifying for the Vertex trial at all? I barely squeaked into a previous trial at 120 a year ago, but I don't know what the exact cut off was..

I am like a dog with a bone right now trying to get info as I try to wrangle a spot for the Advance trial. That is why I want to know about rescue drugs...because if they don't allow them and you are going in low, it seems pretty likely they will fall during treatment.

I will either give it up or stay in "tenacious D" mode once I get a bit more info. Vertex isn't talking and the other couple of centers that I have talked to didn't know for sure yet.

Thanks.

[GoofyDad]

Hmmm..... spinach with an egg has been my breakfast staple for a while now. I guess that's maybe not as healthy as I once thought....

[GoofyDad]

Double Hmmm.... Just checked and spinach has not as much iron as I thought.

[gauf]

From The Life Extension website (courtesy of Evangelin)

Reducing Iron Stores
Elevated serum iron levels are often found in people with hepatitis C and cause further oxidative damage to the liver. Certain nutritional supplements have shown evidence of reducing serum iron levels. To help keep serum iron levels in the low normal range of 30 to 80 ng/dL, high doses of green tea polyphenols and high-allicin garlic may be beneficial.

Lactoferrin, a subfraction of whey protein, may be especially beneficial as an adjunctive treatment for serum iron overload in hepatitis patients. Lactoferrin is a potent antioxidant, antiviral agent, and scavenger of free iron. In addition, lactoferrin is directly involved in the upregulation of natural killer cell activity, making it a natural modulator of immune function (Yi M et al 1997; Ikeda M et al 1998, 2000). As an immune booster, lactoferrin has been shown to work synergistically with interferon to reduce the viral load (Ishii K et al 2003).

Taking 300 mg of elemental calcium can reduce iron absorption by as much as 50 percent. When eating iron-rich foods, hepatitis C patients should consider taking a high-potency calcium supplement at the same time (Hallberg L et al 1991).

[dranurag]

I take one eggwhite daily. My iron levels are high normal. Should I stop egg? And milk and apple?