Ferritin and hypothyroid
A large body of thyroid patients have been surprised to discover that being hypothyroid also results in having low Ferritin, or storage iron. Ferritin is an iron-storage protein. So when Ferritin is measured via a blood test, it is basically measuring your storage iron, or the iron you have tucked away for future use. You can have “normal” iron serum levels, yet a low Ferritin.
Why do we often have low Ferritin? Because being hypothyroid can result in a lowered production of hydrochloric acid which in turn leads to the malabsorption of iron. It can also lower your body temperature (common for those on thyroxine, as well) which causes you to make less red blood cells. Additionally, being hypo can result in heavier periods, which causes more iron loss.
Why is having low Ferritin a problem? First, though the slide into low Ferritin can be symptomless, it eventually becomes the precursor to being anemic. And once the latter occurs, you can then have symptoms which mimic hypothyroid–depression, achiness, easy fatigue, weakness, faster heartrate, palpitations, loss of sex drive, and/or foggy thinking, etc, causing a patient to think they are not on enough Armour, or that Armour is not working. Excessively low Ferritin can also make it difficult to continue raising your Armour!
Biologically, insufficient iron levels may be affecting the first two of three steps of thyroid hormone synthesis by reducing the activity of the enzyme thyroid peroxidase, which is dependent on iron. Iron deficiency, in turn, may also alter thyroid metabolism and reduce the conversion of T4 to T3, besides modifying the binding of T3. Additionally, low iron levels can increase circulating concentrations of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).
Iron, in addition to iodine, selenium and zinc, are essential for normal thyroid hormone metabolism.
What’s the solution? The solution, after you have verified low Ferritin with a blood test (i.e. lower than the 50’s), is to supplement your diet with iron. Foods rich in iron include lean meats, liver, eggs, green leafy vegetables (spinach, collard greens, kale), wheat germ, whole grain breads and cereals, raisins, and molasses.
But most patients have found it necessary to supplement with iron tablets, which includes Ferrous Sulfate, Ferrous Glutamate, Ferrous Fumerate, etc.
Ferrous Sulfate is usually the cheapest–just be sure you are taking a good Vit. E with it since there is evidence that it’s depleted with the use of Ferrous Sulfate. And always take it with food. The owner of this site had to take 2-3 325 mgs. of Ferrous Sulfate with food and throughout the day, for months to even BEGIN to get her Ferritin up. plus 800 mgs Magnesium.
Ferrous Gluconate may cause fewer symptoms and is milder on stomach. Ferrous Fumerate is often prescribed by doctors as it, too, has fewer side effects, absorbs well, and is easier on the stomach.
Beware of liquid iron that is animal based (heme)–it can blacken your teeth, as it did to the owner of this site. VEGETABLE BASED (nonheme) liquid iron avoids this.
I was contacted by a physician practicing alternative medicine who highly recommends Floradix Iron and Herbs, or Enzymatic Therapy Liquid Liver. Check in your local health food store or pharmacy.
How much iron supplementation do I need, and how long do I take it? When Ferritin is low, you have to give yourself many weeks, into months, to improve the levels..taking up to 200 mg. of ELEMENTAL IRON daily, with meals. BE SURE AND READ THE LABEL TO SEE HOW MUCH ELEMENTAL IRON IS IN EACH TABLET. The general goal is to get your Ferritin to a minimum of 70-90, according to our own research. And you may have to stay on iron to maintain those levels.
Should I take anything with the iron to help? Yes. It’s recommended to take Vitamin C, which helps absorption of iron. At the very least, drink down your iron tablets with orange juice or a drink like Emergen-C. Also taking a mineral supplement can assist the absorption, as can B-vitamins.
What about the constipation I get from taking iron supplements? If you do find yourself with constipation or very hard stools, add Magnesium Citrate as a supplement, taken twice a day, until you find the amount that softens your stool. You’ll know within a few days if the amount you are taking is enough….or even too much (i.e. too much will cause diarrhea).
Can I take iron at the same time I swallow my Armour? If you swallow your Armour instead of doing it sublingually, it’s important to avoid swallowing iron with your Armour, since the iron will bind to some of the thyroid hormones and make them useless. If you are doing your natural thyroid sublingually, you are fine whenever you swallow your iron.
What if I can’t tolerate oral iron? If you have problems absorbing oral iron due to a previous stomach surgery or other issue, another option is to use Venofer - an intravenous iron which helps replenish body iron stores. (Thanks go to “Chenille” for this info)
Once I get my ferritin levels back up, will it stay up? Several of us have had our ferritin levels plummet again, so it may be wise to stick with a small dose of supplemental iron and eat iron rich foods, especially if you are female and still menstruating. Once into menopause, your ferritin levels may stay where they need to.
Near a LabOne facility? They can do the ferritin test via blood without a doctor’s prescription, and you can order it here: https://www.healthcheckusa.com/
You can read more about low iron and thyroid here:
*Article titled The impact of iron and selenium deficiencies on iodine and thyroid metabolism: biochemistry and relevance to public health found here.
*Iron Deficiency in Goitrous Children article found here.
*Iron Supplementation for Unexplained Fatigue in Non-Anaemic Women article found here.
*One recommendation for 70-90 is found here.
*A good article explaining supplements to take with iron found here.
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