Is there a link between MS & low iron stores?

My iron stores are at the 'depleted' level (ferritin 14ug/L normal 11-307). My hemoglobin is normal. Just wondering if this could be related to the MS or something else? Maybe that's a crazy question but I'm new at this.

thanks for you opinions

[Wobbly]

Hi there, I don't know if there is a link between them, I haven't heard of any, but then who am I.. hahaha

I too have low Iron ferritin, but my RBC etc is normal, so I take extra Iron supplements and folic acid, but it doesn't seem to help the level of Ferritin go up?  

No one is sure why it's low with me?  they told me not to worry unless my RBC etc go out of the normal range?  I don't know..

not much help am I..
hope other join in to give their opinion

take care
wobbly
dx

[Erin0313]

Hi!

  I have low ferritin levels also and have done bunches of research because I also suffer off and on with low iron (totally different issues as you have found out).

I have even needed a blood transfusion which of course put me in the hospital and lots of tests to find the cause but that was autoimmune hemolytic (sp?) anemia.

Anyway - I have not found a direct link for low ferritin to MS, only to the kidney functions which some MS'ers do end up with Hepatic issues. I have asked some pretty impressive doctors the question. They just tell me that it isn't common in MS but I don't tend to be a "normal" patient. Treat the problem, don't bother looking for answers I guess.

We must have had our blood done at different labs because low normal starts at 50 on mine with my result being 17.

P.S. I have been on prescription Ferritin for 3 months now. It is VERY hard to build those stores back up so otc iron usually won't cut it. If your doctor didn't rx you some maybe give a call and mention that you have a friend taking Niferex 150 Forte Plus once per day.

Good luck
Erin :)

[steph74]

I'm surprised it says normal is 11+!!  My labs all said at least 50 or higher was normal.  My drs all said ideal was 75 or better.  

When I got dx with celiac disease my ferritin was 1.  (Yes, 1!)  They were borderline on whether to tranfuse me, but I'd been anemic for so long (and iron supplements weren't helping enough) I was pretty used to the sx.  In the end they told me to take 3 iron pills a day!

Within a few months of starting a gluten free diet, my intestine was healed enough to start absorbing iron better and I could cut back some of the supplements and wasn't anemic anymore.  At this point my ferritin was 15, so they were happy about that.

Stephanie

[flyfarfaraway]

thanks for your experiences here. my doctor strated me on ferrous gluconate 300mg/day two months ago, I'm waiting to see what my new lab work says.

Thanks for your suggestions too, I'm going to do some more research.

PS:Sorry I looked at the wrong thing when I was stating what the lab says 'normal' is. Further down on the paper it says:

300 ug/L likely iron overload

[flyfarfaraway]

oops, i'll get it right yet:

less than 12ug/L iron defiicient
12-30ug/L dpleted iron stores
31-79ug/L reduced iron stores
80-300ug/L normal iron stores
greater than 300ug/L likely iron overload
300ug/L likely iron overload

sorry, not having a good day.