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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jackster on March 8, 2003, at 23:55:24
I had a blood test a few days ago to check my blood levels of nortriptyline - and the pdoc must have had my iron tested at the same time. I got a note in the mail yesterday from my pdoc saying that I had low iron saturation and to see my family doc. Would this effect my anxiety levels? I've had blood tests before (last year on a different medication) and I'm sure my iron was tested then and must have been fine. So I'm a bit bewildered as to why I would have low iron now given that my life (and diet) is pretty much the same. I'm on Paxil and nortriptyline - would they effect iron levels at all?
Thanks
Jackie
Posted by Jaynee on March 9, 2003, at 12:40:56
In reply to low iron - how does this effect anxiety?, posted by Jackster on March 8, 2003, at 23:55:24
Hi Jackie:
I have hemochromatosis, which means I absorb to much iron from the food I eat. Because of this I have to have blood taken out of me every once and awhile.
I can answer any question you have with regards to iron.If your doc thinks you are anemic, he should check your hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum feritin and your transferrin saturation. Your saturation alone, won't tell you to much. It can change from hour to hour, depending on what you ate. If you where to eat a muffin and chase it down with a vitamin C and orange juice, your transferrin saturation will spike back up.
Being low in iron won't make you anxious, but being too high in iron will.
Did you have your other test results, ferritin, etc.
Get those before you take any iron supplements. That crap is lethal if you don't really need it.
What nationality are you? Northern European decendents, tend to have hemochromatosis more than most people, especially the IRISH.
Posted by KrissyP on March 9, 2003, at 20:36:59
In reply to low iron - how does this effect anxiety?, posted by Jackster on March 8, 2003, at 23:55:24
Hi Jackie:-)
I'm not a doc but I had a laparoscopy and the doc hit an artery-causing my hemoglobin count to go from 13 down to 6.I have never been on nortriptyline, but I have been on Paxil.
My point lol... is that my iron was at an all time low, and I didn't suffer anxiety as I remember, but like I said, I'm not a doc, but I hope this helped a little?
Good Luck, Kristen=========================================================================================== I had a blood test a few days ago to check my blood levels of nortriptyline - and the pdoc must have had my iron tested at the same time. I got a note in the mail yesterday from my pdoc saying that I had low iron saturation and to see my family doc. Would this effect my anxiety levels? I've had blood tests before (last year on a different medication) and I'm sure my iron was tested then and must have been fine. So I'm a bit bewildered as to why I would have low iron now given that my life (and diet) is pretty much the same. I'm on Paxil and nortriptyline - would they effect iron levels at all?Thanks
Jackie
Posted by Jackster on March 10, 2003, at 2:46:54
In reply to Re: low iron - how does this effect anxiety?, posted by Jaynee on March 9, 2003, at 12:40:56
Hi Jaynee
Thanks for the advice. I saw my family doc today - apparently my iron stores are fine - it was just my iron saturation and B12 was low. Could have been affected by the fact that I had my period at the time. Doc asked about my diet and how I'd been feeling - she seemed to think I was OK and just wrote a script for having a blood test in a couple months time.
thanks
Jackie
> Hi Jackie:
>
> I have hemochromatosis, which means I absorb to much iron from the food I eat. Because of this I have to have blood taken out of me every once and awhile.
>
>
> I can answer any question you have with regards to iron.
>
> If your doc thinks you are anemic, he should check your hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum feritin and your transferrin saturation. Your saturation alone, won't tell you to much. It can change from hour to hour, depending on what you ate. If you where to eat a muffin and chase it down with a vitamin C and orange juice, your transferrin saturation will spike back up.
>
> Being low in iron won't make you anxious, but being too high in iron will.
>
> Did you have your other test results, ferritin, etc.
>
> Get those before you take any iron supplements. That crap is lethal if you don't really need it.
>
> What nationality are you? Northern European decendents, tend to have hemochromatosis more than most people, especially the IRISH.
Posted by jerrympls on March 10, 2003, at 21:44:01
In reply to Re: low iron - how does this effect anxiety? » Jaynee, posted by Jackster on March 10, 2003, at 2:46:54
Hey there - my hemoglobin levels were low on two consecutive tests - my doc said I could eat more meat, take a vit. supplement and/or iron supplement - but he forgot to mention HOW MUCH iron I should take? I know taking too much iron is a bad thing - so is there a "safe" low-dose?
Thanks Jerry
Posted by Jaynee on March 11, 2003, at 13:42:47
In reply to Re: low iron - how does this effect anxiety?, posted by jerrympls on March 10, 2003, at 21:44:01
Jerry, The only way to know if you are truly low in iron, is to have your ferritin and transferrin saturation tested. You should fast before the transferrin saturation test, to get an accurate reading. Also make sure to ask for you results and check them out yourself.
I can't stress enough that you should never take an iron supplement, unless you have had the proper tests to test for anemia. Hemoglobin doesn't tell you how much iron you are storing. Some people can have a low hemoglobin and still have iron loading disorders or diseases.
Get the proper tests first. If you do have low iron, I still wouldn't take an iron supplement, of course that depends on how anemic you are. If it is just under the limits, I would take vitamin C every time you eat. Vitamin C helps you to absorb more iron when you eat. This is why I avoid Vitamin C.
Anymore questions, I will be more than glad to answer.
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