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.
Optimal iron levels?
Re: Optimal iron levels?
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.
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.
e3/4 MTHFR C677T/A1298C COMT V158M++ COMT H62H++ MTRR A66G ++ HLA DR
Re: Optimal iron levels?
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.tryingtobehealthy wrote: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.
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Re: Optimal iron levels?
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...
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...
Re: Optimal iron levels?
If nothing else, you are helping others! Low risk of harm.Family Tree Guy wrote:
I personally donate blood regularly in order to keep my iron levels relatively low in the hopes that this will help to prevent AD.
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Re: Optimal iron levels?
thank you so much for the replies, so helpful.