Most Men Have Iron Levels That Are Killing Them -- Here's the Solution

re: Most Men Have Iron Levels That Are Killing Them -- Here's the Solution

millenniumhealth — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:33:29 GMT

My husband has sarcoma and he is on chemotherapy. We were investigating intra-venous vitamin C as a treatment option but the Dr has discovered his ferritin levels are 434.40 and she says he should have this therapy. The Vitamin C Foundation say they give it anyway and it doesn't seem to make any difference. Can anyone help with this?

re: Most Men Have Iron Levels That Are Killing Them -- Here's the Solution

GregB — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:26:10 GMT

Oh, one more thing: You don't need to have anemia (low red blood cells and low hemoglobin) in order to get a lot of these symptoms!!

Low ferritin is what is correlated with these things, not anemia.

Iron itself is involved with many chemical reactions in the body.

re: Most Men Have Iron Levels That Are Killing Them -- Here's the Solution

GregB — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:23:18 GMT

Soreness in corners of the mouth

Brittle, flat, or spoon shaped nails

Longitudinal ridges on nails

Heart palpitations on exertion

Shortness of breath

Cold extremities, with decreased resistance to cold and poor regulation of body temperature

Tendency to recurrent infections

Chronic bladder infections

Anemia (hypo chromic, microcytic) paleness, weakness, drowsiness, fatigue

Numbness & tingling

Night sweats

Fragile bones

Growth impairment in children

Eye soreness

Vague gastrointestinal symptoms: belching, gas, nausea

Vitiligo (light blotches on the skin)

Swelling in the ankles

Bluish tint to the whites of the eyes

Visual disturbances

Papilledema (swelling inside the eye)

Enhanced heavy metal absorption and risk for toxicity. Those with low iron will have an increased GI absorption of metals which is not specific for iron, so will absorb more lead, cobalt, cadmium, mercury. High blood levels of lead are more common in children with low iron.

Increased risk of colon cancer.

re: Most Men Have Iron Levels That Are Killing Them -- Here's the Solution

GregB — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:22:12 GMT

I'm a 37 year old male, and I just want to point out that LOW ferritin can cause almost as debilitating symptoms as high ferritin. I should know, since my ferritin has been running at 14-17 (normal range 20-300), and after doing extensive research, I have discovered that low ferritin can cause a lot of extra problems and strange symptoms. I don't eat red meat or beans either. I've recently figured out that my iron intake is below the USRDA of iron, and has been for quite some time.

From my research i've concluded that "optimal" ferritins are somewhere more than 60 and somewhere less than 109. Ferritin levels lower than 60 have been linked to many symptoms, including unexplained hair loss and seriously INCREASED risk for colon cancer! Above 109 has been linked to increased risk of diabetes.

The best way to optimize your health I believe is to have regular iron and ferritin tests, and treat accordingly. If you're in the "window" of 60-100, you're probably optimizing your health status. If you're below 60, iron supplement until you're in the window is probably warranted. Greater than 100, blood donations are in order.

Here is a list of symptoms related to LOW serum ferritin:

Depression

Fatigue

Listlessness, weakness, decreased work productivity

Impaired learning and cognitive function

ADD and ADHD type behavioral disturbances

Developmental delay in infants and young children

Poor memory

Decreased attention span and increased distractibility

Impaired reactivity and coordination

Irritability

Dizziness

Appetite loss

Cravings for non foods such as ice, dirt or clay

Constipation

Difficulty swallowing (because low iron may cause a thin membrane to grow across the esophagus)

Joint soreness

Night time leg cramps

Asthma

Sores on skin, or itching

Poor wound healing

Can cause excessive menstrual bleeding

Hair loss (LOW IRON IS A FREQUENTLY OVERLOOKED CAUSE OF HAIR LOSS)

Headaches

Sore or burning tongue

re: Most Men Have Iron Levels That Are Killing Them -- Here's the Solution

Shane G — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:01:43 GMT

I am a 37 year old male. I take your chlorella supplements regularly as directed. Is this harmful considering the high iron levels in chlorella?

re: Most Men Have Iron Levels That Are Killing Them -- Here's the Solution

wenjammer — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:22:44 GMT

What are other ways to reduce the iron in blood besides phlebotomy and donating the blood? Are there any foods to avoid or foods to eat? Any natural remediies? Seems like there should be other ways to help rid blood of too much iron other than donating the blood every so often.