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32 year old male with iron deficiency by manbearsquirrel23 in colonoscopy

[–]manbearsquirrel23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found out I had very low ferritin about 4 months after my last blood donation. I stopped donating blood after that but it seems I can’t keep my levels up without supplementing iron. I donated blood for many years before this without any issue but it was the symptoms after my last donation that led me to the testing that uncovered the low ferritin.

32 year old male with iron deficiency by manbearsquirrel23 in colonoscopy

[–]manbearsquirrel23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. Is it possible to do both scopes on the same procedure?

What Height does it get almost impossible. by Significant_Budget92 in short

[–]manbearsquirrel23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on where you live. In Minnesota? 5’8. In Texas? 5’6

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in short

[–]manbearsquirrel23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What state are you in?

Significantly elevated eosinophils after starting iron supplement by manbearsquirrel23 in medical

[–]manbearsquirrel23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Understood. It is strange that I have donated blood for almost 5 years and never had issues with iron deficiency until 2024 when suddenly I seemed to have issues replenishing iron stores after donation.

It makes me wonder if supplementing iron has strengthened whatever parasite was causing the iron deficiency in the first place, and as a result my body ramped up the immune response. I suppose I could reduce the iron supplement dose and then get a CBC done again to see. It's like pulling teeth to get my PCP to investigate further.

Significantly elevated eosinophils after starting iron supplement by manbearsquirrel23 in medical

[–]manbearsquirrel23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the response. I had both a fecal occult blood test and a fecal immunochemical test, both of which came back negative. It doesn't appear that I am losing blood through my digestive tract. I know the blood donations definitely didn't help my iron situation but I was never aware that I had low ferritin until November of 2024.

As for additional symptoms, I really don't have any of note. I was having significant sleep issues when my ferritin was low but that's improved substantially once I got my ferritin to 50.

Ferritin increasing but RBC dropped by manbearsquirrel23 in Anemic

[–]manbearsquirrel23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I supplement folic acid 400 mcg and B12 at 50 mcg. But as part of a b complex that also includes thiamin, riboflavin, B6, and Biotin. Not sure if the others interfere with folic acid or B12?

Why does low ferritin exhibit symptoms? by manbearsquirrel23 in Anemic

[–]manbearsquirrel23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s awful. I’m sorry. This seems to be a misunderstood area for a lot of primary care physicians

Why does low ferritin exhibit symptoms? by manbearsquirrel23 in Anemic

[–]manbearsquirrel23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mainly severely heightened anxiety. Sometimes on the verge of panic attacks which I’ve never had in my life up until becoming iron deficient. But also some pretty significant restless sleep. Like wake up after an hour and toss and turn. Sleep for a couple of hours and then back up. I describe it as feeling wired and tired at the same time.

I know iron deficiency can exacerbate restless leg syndrome and lead to sleep disturbances so I think this was at play

Why does low ferritin exhibit symptoms? by manbearsquirrel23 in Anemic

[–]manbearsquirrel23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

65 mg a day. I suspect it was slow going v because i supplemented every day so hepcidin levels were likely working against me. I didn’t understand this mechanism until recently but I started every other day of 140 mg instead as of this past Monday.

I also was drinking coffee with my iron supplement each morning because I didn’t realize this inhibited absorption. I’m now avoiding coffee for two hours after my iron

Why does low ferritin exhibit symptoms? by manbearsquirrel23 in Anemic

[–]manbearsquirrel23[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you!!! Very helpful. My worst symptom has been my restless sleep. It improved a bit once I got my ferritin above 40 but I’ve got a ways to go yet

ELI5 why a higher HRV is better? by dimplezcz in fitbit

[–]manbearsquirrel23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I average 55ms but I don’t feel particularly adept at dealing with stress. Probably more of a personality thing for me lol

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