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My Iron Level Went Down Since Going Gluten Free?

1desperateladysaved

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1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

The MD checked my Total iron count.  The results follow:

 

Hemoglobin 12 Range ?  12 is low, but I didn't take down the range

Ferritin           8  (10-232)

Iron levels 184. ref ( 40-160)

 

I have been on supplements for iron for at least 5 years.  My hemoglobin went as high as 17.   I have been following a gluten free diet for one year.  My diet is high in iron containing foods.  Yet, my hemoglobin has dropped.  Has anyone else had their important nutrient levels actually go down after going gluten free?  I am planning to do a Spectra Cell nutrient test soon, to see how my other levels are doing and to fine tune supplements.  Can I expect that it will turn around in the future?  I remember GottaSki saying her villi damage didn't appear to heal the first or second year.  Does it get worse for a while?

 

Meanwhile, I switched to a different supplement.

 

Diana

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sisterlynr Explorer
sisterlynr
Posted

The MD checked my Total iron count.  The results follow:

 

Hemoglobin 12 Range ?  12 is low, but I didn't take down the range

Ferritin           8  (10-232)

Iron levels 184. ref ( 40-160)

 

I have been on supplements for iron for at least 5 years.  My hemoglobin went as high as 17.   I have been following a gluten free diet for one year.  My diet is high in iron containing foods.  Yet, my hemoglobin has dropped.  Has anyone else had their important nutrient levels actually go down after going gluten free?  I am planning to do a Spectra Cell nutrient test soon, to see how my other levels are doing and to fine tune supplements.  Can I expect that it will turn around in the future?  I remember GottaSki saying her villi damage didn't appear to heal the first or second year.  Does it get worse for a while?

 

Meanwhile, I switched to a different supplement.

 

Diana

 

 

 

The usual levels for Hemoglobin is   12.0 - 15.5  some medical offices can vary.   My Hemoglobin was 8 for most of 2012.  In 2008 my Hemoglobin dropped to 7 and I was given a blood transfusion the next day.  I was having chemo for NH Lymphoma then.  The doctor asked for a Ferritin test to show how much Iron my body was storing.  That level was low so I was given Ferritin Iron pills. 

 

After I started the gluten free diet in October 2012, I continued to take the Iron until January.  My blood results in March showed my Hemoglobin back to 12.0 and my Iron was back to a normal level.  The doctor felt that my body was able to absorb nutrients which resulted in the good lab results.

 

I haven't heard of counts going down but surely your doctor will run more tests to determine a cause.  And . . . I am not a doctor, just my opinion.   :)

Ksee Rookie
Ksee
Posted

Pernicious anemia is the inability of the stomach to absorb iron. Women with abnormally heavy menstrual periods can lose more iron than they are able to absorb. Several blood diseases cause destruction of red blood cells faster than the body can make them. Suppression of the body's ability to produce red blood cells causes anemia. These are off the top of my head.

 

Ditto Lyn, your doctor will have to evaluate this one. 

Good luck :)

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted
  • Author

Pernicious anemia is the inability of the stomach to absorb iron. Women with abnormally heavy menstrual periods can lose more iron than they are able to absorb. Several blood diseases cause destruction of red blood cells faster than the body can make them. Suppression of the body's ability to produce red blood cells causes anemia. These are off the top of my head.

 

Ditto Lyn, your doctor will have to evaluate this one. 

Good luck :)

Don't worry, I have a bunch of doctor help with this.  I don't think it is desperate yet.

Diana

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