Optimal iron levels?

[tryingtobehealthy]

Hi,
Does anyone know optimal iron levels? I couldn’t find it in the End of Alzheimer’s book or in a search of the internet. I’m 48, female, menopausal and 3/4. Just had my iron tested and I’m low.

[Plumster]

Hi Tryingtobehealthy,

Do you mean ferritin levels? We've discussed ferritin on a few threads here. Low ferritin is good in some ways (AD prevention), though you don't want it too low or it'll affect your thyroid.

[slacker]

Hi,
Does anyone know optimal iron levels? I couldn’t find it in the End of Alzheimer’s book or in a search of the internet. I’m 48, female, menopausal and 3/4. Just had my iron tested and I’m low.

You might want to read this thread about balancing ferritin levels; not too high and not too low. Ferritin measures iron storage, but can also be high due to general inflammation. Since you are on the low for iron, elevated ferritin is not an issue for you.

[Family Tree Guy]

Slacker- thanks for posting link to that old thread. Some great info there!

I personally donate blood regularly in order to keep my iron levels relatively low in the hopes that this will help to prevent AD. Based on my reading, the scientific literature is somewhat mixed on this strategy, but there is certainly some papers that strongly support the concept. As to the question of what is optimal? I can say that most of the literature suggests 'not too high' for sure. Excess iron is found in autopsied AD brains, but no clear definitive explanation can describe why. Very low levels (just above anemic) may not be optimal though...

[slacker]

I personally donate blood regularly in order to keep my iron levels relatively low in the hopes that this will help to prevent AD.

If nothing else, you are helping others! Low risk of harm.

[tryingtobehealthy]

thank you so much for the replies, so helpful.