Low iron

(Phil Ware) #1

Hi all
Just got back from doctors today and there’s a bit of concern that I’m showing low iron
He’s happy with everything else
Anyone got sn idea why this is happening?
I’ve been lchf since Jan 2017
My diet offers plenty of iron so it’s most likely an absorption issue
Happy to hear any ideas and any opinions on the results as a whole

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(Jennifer) #2

Vitamin c helps with iron. You might want to take some with your meals. I take 1000mg twice a day and double that if I’m feeling under the weather.

(Richard Morris) #3

It’s worth adding peppers to your diet to add vitamin C without sugar (which it often comes along with.
eg: Oranges)

#4

It’s been 3 years since your iron was last tested, so you don’t really know how long it’s been low and if switching to LCHF had anything to do with that. Once your iron is that low, it’s really hard to get it back up with diet alone.

I had really good luck with Enzymatic Therapy brand Ultimate Iron. It includes vitamin C and heme iron. I’ve also seen lots of people who swear by Floradix liquid iron.

(Jennifer) #5

I found this iron supplement and it has iron, C and some other herbs that I like.

I also cook on cast iron pans. That helps as well…

(Jacquie) #6

@Phil_Ware Is your Dr. going to pursue the iron issue? I’d be curious as to the cause, especially if it’s related to absorption.

(Jenn Monaghan) #7

I got an iron fish to put in the pot when I boil things. http://www.luckyironfish.com/

(Roxanne) #8

I was also low on ferritin, and my naturopath recommended that I use cast iron to fry things at least once a week; works much like @Jennifer_Monaghan’s Lucky Iron Fish :slight_smile:

(Arlene) #9

I have been cooking almost exclusively in cast iron for many years now. My iron levels are actually on the high side.

(Phil Ware) #10

Thanks everyone
I should have said that one possible cause that I think it could be…is that I’m taking ppi medication for Barrett’s
I have had ongoing reflux for a few years now…reduced completely since lchf though!! So I’m thinking the meds might be the reason
The doc didn’t think so, so I’m now off to gastroenterologist asap to organise both a gastroctopy and a colonoscopy, need to check the bowel for polyps(family history) and to check the oesophagus scarring to see if it’s reduced over the last 8 month
Sorry if I mislead anyone, I was just wondering if might be related to lchf diet
It’s just knocked me a bit, I have been feeling great, lost weight and back exercising. Even did a 19 hour fast on the weekend really easily
Never mind, thanks for everyone’s advice
This community is amazing!

(Jacquie) #11

Reading online, I see that there can be a relationship between PPI’s and low iron and you may have hit the nail on the head, so to speak. Glad to hear you’re getting checked out. Hope you get a clean bill of health! :slight_smile:

(Phil Ware) #12

Ok, been to gastrointestinal specialist and we are going to do both a gastroctopy and colonoscopy during the same procedure time
He was real happy with weight loss since January
9kgs down and 4 inches off waist
Hopefully the oesophagus scarring might be better and I can reduce ppi meds

(Phil Ware) #13

Woohoooo result
Oesophagus scarring gone!!!
Low carb has done this for me
Just waiting in full biopsy, but if ok then I may be able to ditch ppi meds!

(Desiree) #14

I was going to ask if you had GI issues. When was your last endo?

(Desiree) #15

Haha never mind I should had read the entire thread :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

(Timothy Kropp) #16

I was just rejected for donating platelets because of low iron. I was close the last time I went, too.
I also suspect it’s absorption. I assumed I was getting enough iron because I ingest high levels of choline, especially from plant-based sources, but I see now that the absorption levels from plants are lower than from animal protein. I will be increasing red meat, but also eating more liver and consuming bone broth.
My hope is that will be enough I was also considering desiccated liver pills, but have some concerns about over doing it with the liver. Has anyone been taking liver pills, and could comment on that?
Thanks.

#17

You might want to follow up with your doctor. The donation place would have only been checking hemocrit. There are several other lab tests specifically related to iron, and having those levels checked might help the doctor pinpoint what’s causing it. It’s very uncommon for men to have low iron levels.

(Timothy Kropp) #18

Thank you. Interesting that I just saw stats showing a strong correlation between frequent platelet donation and low iron.