I have just measured by Ferritin & Iron.
Iron was great levels on the higher range, but Ferretin barely made it to normal level (level 18). My doctor suggested I take Ferritin as a supplement. Do the Amen clinic coaches recommend a specific brand? It really hard to choose since Ferritin as a supplement is not very common.
Low ferritin indicates a need for iron supplementation, preferably in conjunction with vitamin C for best absorption. We have iron in an easily absorbed form. Check it out here: https://brainmd.com/iron.
thank you Coach Zoe, but what does it mean when Iron level is on the high-normal? but the Ferritin is super low at level 18? My doctor keeps saying that is within normal, but I am sure I need to optimize those levels and retest soon.
During early stages of iron insufficiency, storage levels of iron (measured by ferritin) will begin to decline, while circulating levels (measured by iron) continue to be ‘normal’. This usually indicates a need for iron repletion through foods and/or supplementation to avoid continued decline, though some health conditions might impact these values and their meaning. It might be helpful to review previous lab work measuring these values to see how they’ve changed over time and talk to your doctor about preventing further depletion with foods or supplements. Best!
Sounds great, thank you so much, so when is a ferritin supplement taken versus iron?
I will discuss with the doctor but would love to know that before I talk so that they don’t dismiss my concern with hair shedding.
Ferritin is the protein in our body that binds to iron to store it. One takes elemental iron supplements in various forms (carbonyl iron, heme iron polypeptides, iron amino-acid chelates, ferrous/ferric iron salts, or iron sulfate) in order to increase ferritin levels so these can collectively be called ‘ferritin supplements’. Iron glycinate is the form of BrainMD and is well-absorbed and easy on the stomach. 🙂
