Low iron levels. Low TIBC please advise

[davidst01]

I recently had a number of blood tests done.

The only anomaly was low TIBC

Iron study: Normal

Serum Iron ResultItem 10 Aug 2014 Specimen ( )

Serum -

Serum Iron ( 59-158 )

78

Total Iron Binding Capacity ResultItem 10 Aug 2014 Specimen ( )

Serum -

TIBC ( 228-428 )

208 L

Serum Iron ( 59-158 )

78

UIBC ( 112-346 )

130

My hair has been thinning for sure in the last 3 to 6 months and thus the low iron levels explain this.

I tried one of my wifes iron tables a month ago and I felt terrible. Major headaches- felt like my head was going to explode. I felt ill for a few hours. What sorts of foods and how much daily do I have to eat to get this back to normal.

Or can you recommend a vitamin specifically for this

[bkkjames]

Be like Popeye - spinach.

[96tehtarp]

Eat more beef, with your spinach.

Edited August 19, 2014 by 96tehtarp

[h90]

Be like Popeye - spinach.

and what should help on the spinach? it doesn't contain so much iron as people believe.

[96tehtarp]

Be like Popeye - spinach.

and what should help on the spinach? it doesn't contain so much iron as people believe.

Without the nutrients in green leafy vegetables like spinach it is difficult for a body to metabolize iron.

[infinity11]

i used to take supplements with iron but they made me constipated

there is something called gentle iron

but food is probably the best source

let us know if you get tested again please

[bkkjames]

Be like Popeye - spinach.

and what should help on the spinach? it doesn't contain so much iron as people believe.

Without the nutrients in green leafy vegetables like spinach it is difficult for a body to metabolize iron.

shhh dont tell H90, he'll get a headache

[h90]

Be like Popeye - spinach.

and what should help on the spinach? it doesn't contain so much iron as people believe.

Without the nutrients in green leafy vegetables like spinach it is difficult for a body to metabolize iron.

Your body, maybe.....for the rest of us:

"However, spinach contains iron absorption-inhibiting substances, including high levels of oxalate, which can bind to the iron to form ferrous oxalate and render much of the iron in spinach unusable by the body. In addition to preventing absorption and use, high levels of oxalates remove iron from the body."

From Wikipedia

So better use a nice beef steak instead of the spinach, which also tastes better.

[96tehtarp]

Be like Popeye - spinach.

and what should help on the spinach? it doesn't contain so much iron as people believe.

Without the nutrients in green leafy vegetables like spinach it is difficult for a body to metabolize iron.

Your body, maybe.....for the rest of us:

"However, spinach contains iron absorption-inhibiting substances, including high levels of oxalate, which can bind to the iron to form ferrous oxalate and render much of the iron in spinach unusable by the body. In addition to preventing absorption and use, high levels of oxalates remove iron from the body."

From Wikipedia

So better use a nice beef steak instead of the spinach, which also tastes better.

Thanks, I learn something everyday here on TV.

[bkkjames]

Your body, maybe.....for the rest of us:

"However, spinach contains iron absorption-inhibiting substances, including high levels of oxalate, which can bind to the iron to form ferrous oxalate and render much of the iron in spinach unusable by the body. In addition to preventing absorption and use, high levels of oxalates remove iron from the body."

From Wikipedia

So better use a nice beef steak instead of the spinach, which also tastes better.

Thanks, I learn something everyday here on TV.

Cool stuff...now I can ditch it and grab a bigger steak next time.

[Sheryl]

You do NOT have low iron levels!!!! Your serum iron is normal. In iron deficiency anemias the TIBC is increased whereas yours is decreased. So whatever else may be wrong you do not have iron deficiency anemia and there is no need to increase your intake of iron.

If the iron panel was done because of anemia found on blood count then the anemia is of a different origin. I could advise better with more information e.g. why the tests were done, what your blood count (CBC) showed, medical history, symptoms etc.

[davidst01]

Hi to the legendary Sheryl,

I visited the hospital as I was experiencing strange feelings in my chest and because I have noticed that my hair is thinning this year badly and still is this month.

Below are the general blood tests. What do you think is causing the TIBC to be low and how do I get it back to normal.

I have been diagnosed with minor heart issues such as enlarged aaorta, mytrol valve prolapse. The technician said that there was mild regurgitation when I did a stress test echo. Ive also been diagnosed with minor 'ventricular extrasystole

Since going to that dr Ive since given up booze, vitamins (which made me feel ill) and on gluten free. I feel a lot better. However I would still be interested in the TIBC reading. Thanks for your time.

Haematology

Complete Blood Count ( 10/08/2014 15:27:00 )

Complete Blood Count

Specimen.....................: EDTA blood

WBC Count....................: 6.65 10^\3/ul (4.00-10.00)

RBC Count....................: 4.85 10^\6/ul (4.00-6.00)

Hemoglobin(Hb)...............: 14.4 g/dL (14.1-18.1)

Hematocrit(Hct)..............: 42.7 % (37.0-54.0)

MCV..........................: 88.0 fL (80.0-96.0)

MCH..........................: 29.7 pg (27.0-31.0)

MCHC.........................: 33.7 g/dL (30.0-34.0)

RDW..........................: 12.7 % (11.5-14.5)

Platelet Count...............: 209 10^\3/ul (140-440)

WBC Differential Count;

% Neutrophils................: 51.9 % (40.0-60.0)

% Lymphocytes................: 40.6 % (12.0-44.0)

% Monocytes..................: 4.8 % (4.0-8.0)

% Eosinophils................: 2.4 % (1.0-3.0)

% Basophil...................: 0.3 % (0.0-1.0)

Morphology;

Platelet Smear...............: Adequate

RBC Morphology...............: Normochromic,Normocytic

ABO Blood Group ( 10/08/2014 15:51:00 )

ABO Blood Group..............: Group O

Rh Blood Group ( 10/08/2014 15:52:00 )

Rh Blood Group...............: Rh(D)Positive

Hemoglobin Typing ( 12/08/2014 11:04:00 )

Hemoglobin Typing

Specimen.....................: EDTA blood

MCV..........................: 88.0 fl (80.0-95.0)

MCH..........................: 29.7 pg (27.0-32.0)

Hb A.........................: 97.20 %

Hb A2........................: 2.8 % (2.0-4.0)

OF test(Osmotic fragility)...: Negative

Hb typing....................: A2A, Normal or non clinically significant thalassemia

Comment: Report From N Health Central Laboratory

By Montri Kakaw,MT. 2626

Biochemistry

Lipid profile ( 10/08/2014 15:41:00 )

Specimen.....................: Serum

Cholesterol..................: 142 mg/dL (0-200)

Triglyceride.................: 65 mg/dL (0-149)

HDL-Cholesterol..............: 50 mg/dL (>40)

Direct LDL-Cholesterol.......: 89 mg/dL (0-130)

VLDL.........................: 13 mg/dl (0-40)

Creatinine ( 10/08/2014 15:41:00 )

Specimen.....................: Serum

Creatinine...................: 0.89 mg/dL (0.70-1.20)

GFR (African-American).......: 113.07 ml/min/1.73 m2

GFR (Non African-American)...: 93.29 ml/min/1.73 m2

GFR Comment..................: Reference from National Kidney Foundation.

Blood Urea Nitrogen ( 10/08/2014 15:42:00 )

Specimen.....................: Serum

Blood Urea Nitrogen..........: 11 mg/dL (6-20)

Microscopy&Fluid Analysis

Urine Examination ( 10/08/2014 15:46:00 )

Urine Examination

Physical Examination;

Urine Type...................: Mid-stream urine

Urine Volume.................: 10 mL

Urine Color .................: Yellow

Urine Turbidity..............: Clear

Chemical Examination;

Urine Specific Gravity.......: 1.010 (1.003-1.030)

Urine pH.....................: 7.0 (4.5-8.0)

Urine Leucocytes.............: Negative [Normal : Negative]

Urine Nitrite................: Negative (<=10 mg/100 mL)[Normal : Negative]

Urine Protein................: Negative [Normal : Negative]

Urine Glucose ...............: Negative [Normal : Negative]

Urine Ketone.................: Negative [Normal : Negative]

Urine Urobilinogen...........: Normal [Normal : Negative]

Urine Bilirubin..............: Negative [Normal : Negative]

Urine Erythrocytes...........: Trace (5 ery/ul) [Normal : Negative]

Microscopic Examination;

White Blood Cell.............: 0-1 cells/HPF [Normal : 0-5 Cells/HPF]

Red Blood Cell...............: 0-1 cells/HPF [Normal : 0-2 Cells/HPF]

Squamous Epithelial Cells....: 0-1 cells/HPF [Normal : 0-5 Cells/HPF]

Bacteriology

Gram Stain ( 10/08/2014 16:57:00 )

Gram Stain

Specimen Type.....................: Urine

Gram Stain........................: No Organism Seen

Immunology

TSH(Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) ( 10/08/2014 15:54:00 )

Specimen.....................: Serum

TSH..........................: 0.711 uIU/mL (0.270-4.200)

Method.......................: ECIA

Homocysteine ( 12/08/2014 11:10:00 )

Homocysteine

Homocysteine..................: 12.63 umol/L (5.00-15.00)

Comment: Report From N Health Central Laboratory

By Nukool Jaiklang,MT.2670

Free T3(Triiodothyronine Free) ( 10/08/2014 15:54:00 )

Specimen.....................: Serum

Free T3......................: 3.17 pg/mL (2.00-4.00)

Method.......................: ECIA

Free T4(Thyroxine Free) ( 10/08/2014 15:54:00 )

Specimen.....................: Serum

Free T4......................: 1.40 ng/dL (0.93-1.70)

Method.......................: ECIA

Serum Iron ( 12/08/2014 08:22:00 )

Specimen.....................: Serum

Serum Iron...................: 78 ug/dL (59-158)

Comment: Report From N Health Central Laboratory

By Charunee Luesaopa, MT.12533

Total Iron Binding Capacity ( 12/08/2014 08:22:00 )

Specimen.....................: Serum

TIBC.........................: 208 L ug/dL (228-428)

Serum Iron...................: 78 ug/dL (59-158)

UIBC.........................: 130 ug/dL (112-346)

Comment: Report From N Health Central Laboratory

By Charunee Luesaopa, MT.12533

Vitamin B12 ( 12/08/2014 11:08:00 )

Specimen.....................: Serum

Vitamin B12..................: 272 pg/mL (211-911)

Comment: Report From N Health Central Laboratory

By Charunee Luesopa.,,MT. 12533

[davidst01]

forgot to mention that the dr commented about the TIBC:

TIBC cannot interpretation alone it need to correlation with serum iron and Hematocrit. Your serum iron and hematocrit were normal it mean just variation and no need to treatment due to just supporting Lab which not so specific disease.

[Sheryl]

What the doctor told you is correct. In the context of normal blood count and serum iron levels this TIBC result is of no clinical significance at all.

you do not need to do anything in regard to it.

all the test resultd you list are normal. Possibly the chest discomfort was gastritis, which would square with feeling better after stopping an oral medication (vitamins) and changing diet. Howeve wiith yout cardiac history cardiac cause should be excluded. I assume EKG was done and normal? Have you had a stress test?