Which Iron Supplement is Best for RLS?

A while ago a fellow sufferer came up with an article about an iron supplement for RLS that is better absorbed by the body.

It would also have fewer unpleasant side effects. One of the common side effects of an iron supplement is constipation.

I had been curious for some time about which iron supplement is the best if you are dealing with an iron deficiency.

Not everyone with restless legs has an iron deficiency. I would certainly not recommend taking an extra iron supplement just like that.

In an earlier blog about iron, I wrote that it is better to have your blood measured by your doctor first.

Blood test

A dear friend of mine had his blood tested for iron not so long ago.

He had been to the neurologist for a sleep study. That sleep study revealed that he had PLMD (Periodic Limb Movement Disorder). This diagnosis was unexpected for him.

The neurologist advised him to have his iron levels measured by means of blood tests. A number of values ​​were measured: iron (HB), ferritin and transferrin.

Anyone who is already a little familiar with iron in connection with restless legs knows that the ferritin content is especially important in RLS. If you suffer from restless legs, you also need a higher value than the one normally used by the doctor.

My friend scored just above 50 on ferritin. For someone with RLS, that’s on the tight side. I don’t know exactly what this is like for someone with PLMD. However, the neurologist did not find it problematic.

According to her, his score on iron was too low. She therefore prescribed an iron supplement. She also gave him a prescription for the dopamine agonist pramipexole, and he was offered sleep therapy. He has not used the medication yet. He did follow sleep therapy.

Ferrous fumarate

The standard iron supplement prescribed by doctors for iron deficiency is ferrous fumarate. This happens with a deficiency of ferritin, but also with a ‘normal’ iron deficiency.

Friend M. was also prescribed this iron supplement. You need a prescription from your doctor for ferrous fumarate. He has been faithfully taking his ferrous fumarate twice a week for several months now.

It is best to take this iron supplement on an empty stomach and at least half an hour before eating. That’s why he tries to think about it at night when he goes to the bathroom. That works well so far.

I noticed recently that his teeth looked a bit darker. M. told me it says in the package insert that this could be a side effect of his iron supplement.

He also said that he can pretty much set the clock that his bowels are upset the day after taking his iron supplement. He then has diarrhea. Fortunately, it comes out in one go and he doesn’t suffer anymore after that.

The stool is blacker in color.

Constipation is a common side effect of an iron supplement, but diarrhea is also possible. As well as nausea.

Friend M. has an iron (…) stomach and almost never has problems with his intestines. The diarrhea is therefore most likely not caused by something else.

Iron bisglycinate

At the beginning of this blog I mentioned iron bisglycinate. This iron supplement is available over-the-counter at drug and health food stores.

It seems that some fellow sufferers have had better experiences with this than with ferrous fumarate. This is partly due to the side effects. Iron bisglycinate is better tolerated by most people than other forms of iron.

The difference between ferrous fumarate and iron bisglycinate is that the iron supplement is bound to another substance. With ferrous fumarate it is salt, with iron bisglycinate it is a protein.

Iron bound to protein is more easily absorbed by the body. That’s why you need less of it. Iron bisglycinate also has fewer unpleasant side effects.

For all iron supplements, vitamin C promotes the absorption of iron. Dairy products, coffee and (green or black) tea get in the way of the intake.

Do you have experience with this?

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