Gray Matter and Iron

[beachcomber13]

My neuro mentioned that MS is a disease of both the gray and white matter. I read through the previous postings about this, and it looks like it's been about two years since it was discussed. I guess I'm wondering...

1. Do we know any more about it than we did two years ago? About the impact on disease, the ability to image this, etc.
2. Do we know what role iron levels or supplementation might play? My serum iron was a little low (10 ng/mL)... maybe my body was putting that iron in my brain? ;) Or not. The nurse practitioner I saw that day wanted me to take iron supplements. Could taking iron supplements make a difference good or bad (as far as MS)?

Thank you so much.

[twopack]

that would be jink myself  :}  lol

[twopack]

I take Protonix as well.  I've even had surgery for GERD because years of refluxed acid has caused Barrett's esophagitis.  With the surgery it is impossible for me to vomit so I have to be careful that what I put down will be willing to stay down.  All other iron preparations cause me to vomit within 20-30minutes of taking them.  

I take the Protonix in the morning and the iron late in the day since iron is best absorbed in an acid environment. I buy the FerroSequels wherever I can get them at the best price (usually about 100 tablets for ~$20).

I've found that RLS tends to increase with stressful events.  Surgeries or hospitalizations were a common trigger to set them into high gear.  I'm not going to say anything about recently because I have a tendency to junk myself.

Mary

[beachcomber13]

Lulu, that is interesting about the university hospital research. The university hospital near me is also using a 7T machine in their research. I'm looking forward to seeing one of the doctors there next month. November 23 can't come quickly enough.

Twopack, did you get the ferrosequels in a regular store? Target? I found cautions against taking iron with my GERD medicine (Protonix), so I was a little leery of supplementing. Maybe I should. I've had restless legs syndrome for about four years--self diagnosed, lol. But funny that it started with my first *maybe MS flare* event.

Kelly, that's exactly what I was wondering. And as I read some of the research, the type of MRI done seems to make a difference. If you're looking at a T1-weighted image, it's harder to see the gray matter lesions--but it's easier to see the white matter lesions on that kind of image. I guess.

I think I need to get on pubmed or something. But my brain is too tired to do it!

[anon07072023]

Hmm, I'm not for sure, but I had thought the current MRIs image the white matter lesions and aren't really able to see the grey matter lesions. At least that's what I remember my neuro saying about a month ago. She was telling me that unfortunately, most of the permanent damage / disability is from grey matter damage, and right now it's near impossible to see any of this with the current MRI machines that we have available right now.

Any one else have any other thoughts?
On the 2nd question, I don't know the answer to that.

-Kelly

[twopack]

I can't add anything about iron in the brain and MS.

It is however well known that some people who have RLS (Restless Leg-or Limb-Syndrome) and ferritin levels (below 50) can benefit from taking iron supplements.  When I asked my FP to check my ferritin level it came back at 9.  I've taken one FerroSequels daily ever since (it's the only iron my stomach tolerates) and I noticed a HUGE improvement once I started the iron.

There is also a type of anemia that comes from chronic inflammation.  I have little doubt this plagues me as well since I have more than one autoimmune disease and never stray far higher than the bargain basement low normal numbers.

Mary

[Lulu54]

Great questions.  I am no expert but can begin a bit here and hopefully others will fill in the blanks.  And as always, someone let me know if I have this wrong.  

But in non-technical terms, here's what I think I know :

The researchers know that the disease process usually starts long before  it becomes visible on MRI - the techniques and software  being used as standard practice only image the gray matter.  Higher strength MRIs are being studied to determine what it is they are seeing when they can image the white matter.  That is a large part of what they looked for when I did the 7T MRI scanning as part of their research at my MS clinic university.

The last time I was there - in the spring - they did a different sequence and positioning for my head.  They were looking for metal deposits rather than lesions.  The physicist who wrote this program and runs the 7T lab, and I discussed if there was any connection between her studies and the CCSVI theory.  She basically said yes, that was part of what they were looking for.

I'm thinking that the current 3T MRI's could be used for a better look at white matter, but the correct software to interpret the bells and whistles of the MRI signal is not commonly available and the radiologists are not necessarily trained in interpreting this data.  It is all very new stuff, and it takes a while for common application to catch up.

Again, this is all research and nothing in common use, yet.  I'm sure others can add to this discussion.

best, Lulu