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How Long Does It Take For Iron To Dissapate From
Question: how long does it take for iron to dissapate from body when not taking supplements and eating low iron food? I have next blood test XXXXXXX 11....numbers went up due to vitron c .. apparently...and wondering what I am looking for number wise at next test? thanks
Brief Answer:
Iron excretion is slow
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Iron excretion normally is around 1mg per day. Your Sat is also raised alonwgith iron.
Theoretically I am expecting your iron levels to be raised in next test between 250 and 310.
I am also expecting that without treatment it will take long time (around 200 days) for these levels to come down.
If at next testing, the levels are about normal, then re-test in one year.
If at next testing, the levels are raised, then follow treatment protocol. If after treatment also, levels are raised then testing for genetic problem - HFE gene testing, C282Y Homozygote. (I dont think its the genes)
I am not expecting organ damage as you have not described any symptoms except a blood test. Symptoms of iron overload could be palpitations, bronzing of skin, abdominal pain, depression, joint pain, fatigue.
It would be better if you could upload the reports.
Hope it answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Iron excretion is slow
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Iron excretion normally is around 1mg per day. Your Sat is also raised alonwgith iron.
Theoretically I am expecting your iron levels to be raised in next test between 250 and 310.
I am also expecting that without treatment it will take long time (around 200 days) for these levels to come down.
If at next testing, the levels are about normal, then re-test in one year.
If at next testing, the levels are raised, then follow treatment protocol. If after treatment also, levels are raised then testing for genetic problem - HFE gene testing, C282Y Homozygote. (I dont think its the genes)
I am not expecting organ damage as you have not described any symptoms except a blood test. Symptoms of iron overload could be palpitations, bronzing of skin, abdominal pain, depression, joint pain, fatigue.
It would be better if you could upload the reports.
Hope it answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
is treatment protocol the phlebotomy... bloodletting? I don't think I'm able to do that as I have been an anemic just about my entire adult life... all of my numbers are always low normal ...sometimes below normal. my haematocrit with these tests was 13.1 and my ferritin was 11. I will upload screenshots of tests numbers for iron and sat in XXXXXXX 2019 were 39 and 9 percent... Had retest after being on vitron c for 70 days....last day I took the victron see was right before the appointment on April 24th I have not taken it since
Brief Answer:
Seen the reports
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Thanks for the reports. It gives more insight into your condition.
I was thinking about deferoxamine. Deferoxamine is needed if ferritin goes above 1000ng/ml in repeated transfusions. Phlebotomy is usually done in hereditary hemochromatosis.
Your reports are suggestive of iron deficiency in body stores + iron overload in blood due to oral supplements. Most probably the excess iron will be used by body to replenish the depleted iron stores.
The iron levels should come down by next test or within next few months without any treatment. There is nothing much to worry in your case. Just watch out for any symptoms of iron overload and regular blood monitoring. This would be sufficient.
Juices and dietary iron may be continued when the iron levels are almost getting normal.
Since the hemoglobin is back to normal, iron supplements are not needed atleast for few years.
Dr Vaishalee
Seen the reports
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Thanks for the reports. It gives more insight into your condition.
I was thinking about deferoxamine. Deferoxamine is needed if ferritin goes above 1000ng/ml in repeated transfusions. Phlebotomy is usually done in hereditary hemochromatosis.
Your reports are suggestive of iron deficiency in body stores + iron overload in blood due to oral supplements. Most probably the excess iron will be used by body to replenish the depleted iron stores.
The iron levels should come down by next test or within next few months without any treatment. There is nothing much to worry in your case. Just watch out for any symptoms of iron overload and regular blood monitoring. This would be sufficient.
Juices and dietary iron may be continued when the iron levels are almost getting normal.
Since the hemoglobin is back to normal, iron supplements are not needed atleast for few years.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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