text: Restoring Iron may be the answer | Restless Legs Syndrome | Forums | Patient
  Restoring Iron may be the answer
  amanda95449
  Hi everyone, Just an update on my mum's RLS. She saw a sleep specialist and did a nerve conduction test and both specialist said if she gets her iron levels up (Ferritin) the restless legs will greatly reduce or even disappear as it's not a neurological cause in her case.
  She's now taking iron supplements daily as her ferritin was quite low at 20.
  Hope this information may assist others.
  Udon amanda95449
  I highly recommend taking a form of iron called ferrous bisglycinate on an empty stomach before bed only. I've known several people, myself included, who get relief with that first pill. You see the RLS brain is anemic not really the body. By day there is enough iron in the bloodstream such that we don't really get symptoms but then at night that unbound iron drops as well as dopamine supposedly and we get symptoms. So I believe that by taking the bisgkycinste we are sneaking our brains some highly bio available iron at night when it needs it most. Only lasts for one night and must be repeated each night u have symptoms. I do not recommend taking iron more than once a day. Researchers have found that we don't absorb much of that second pill of the day because of a hormone called hepcidin that our body releases in response to that first pill and hangs around for more than 24 hours. Researchers believe that an every other day dosing schedule might be better. At least for people who are anemic. If u have RLS an every other day dose won't do.
  amanda95449 Udon
  Thank you Udon for this information. I will pass this on to my mum. The GP has said he will give her iron injections over the next few weeks. Do you think they are a good idea?
  I know people who have had success and some who have not. I would try the ferrous bisglycinate first. Any healthfood store will have it. Your mom could probably take two 25mg tablets. If it doesn't work that first night then I guess you can go on to injections. The injections don't usually provide immediate relief so I'm not sure why the doctor didn't have your mom try oral iron for awhile.
  Thank you for this info. She's on the bisglycinate and it's helping!
  Thrilled it's helping! Wish I could claim credit for having thought it up but like you I read it on the internet about 10 years ago. It never fails to work for me. And it is literally amazing how many other people get immediate relief with the bisglycinate. I've noticed that people who are on anti-depressants or Gabapentin or who have an auto-immune disease aren't helped immediately. Have a relaxing weekend, you've done well by your mom. Think about holding off on those infusions. I'm not a fan, but that's me.
  Thank you very much for mentioning it. It's amazing how quickly it works. More people need to know about this bisglycinate. Keep spreading the word. You have a good weekend too 😊 will hold off on those infusions for now
  Alwaysalone Udon
  Yes, iron injections and infusions take four to six weeks to work.
  I have terrible RLS and they say it's my iron but i had RLS before my anaemia became so bad.
  I don't know the FE level as they didn't test my ferritin, but my hemoglobin is now at 63%.
  I can no longer hold iron so cannot take iron pills as i used to but will try the ferrous bisglycinate as described.
  I do not want to get ill from an iron infusion, as is what seems to be the norm, lasting up to and beyond six weeks, especially being susceptible to illness with such low levels.
  Udon Alwaysalone
  Hi Always, sorry to hear of your predicament. I agree with your decision to try the ferrous bisglycinate. All of these iron pills are plant based and called non-heme iron. There is also an iron pill from animal source (I bought one called proferrin) and that type is called heme-iron. They are absorbed differently in the GI tract. So if you get no joy from the bisglycinate you might want to try the Proferrin. There is also now a transdermal iron patch called PatchMD Iron plus. You might want to try that too at some point before the infusions. Always at night and only once a day.
  Thank you Udon.
  I will give what you suggest a go.
  As i said, i can't take the normal iron pills they have, they no longer work.
  The last ones i took were Ferro-Grad C which were good for a while but then were of no use.
  Maybe one of these you have suggested will help being plant based.
  I will not have the infusions so need to find alternative measures.
  How I would do it is to try the ferrous bisglycinate first ($10 on Amazon) then go onto the Proferrin which is heme iron and possibly the best absorbed (quite expensive $25) and lastly the transdermal iron patches.
  Or you might want to jump right to the transdermal patches (called PatchMD Iron Plus) because as far as I know transdermal goes right into the bloodstream, no questions asked.
  Think about it. What sounds good to you?
  Hi Amanda, just wanted to touch base to see how your mom is doing? I sleep better when I know other people are sleeping well too.
  Hi Udon, thanks for checking in. She's been doing well on these iron tablets! I still can't believe
  she got relief after her first pill. The only problem is that they're giving her a bit of reflux but it's a small price to pay for her restless leg relief. She'll be on the bisglycinate for awhile. She thanks you
  Iron injections are definitely on hold for now.
  debbie_58863 amanda95449
  Thank you for the information I was told that before by naturpath but my doctor saids my iron is fine, but might try it anyway. I was also told to maybe try Dr Ho foot machine to help the blood circulation that it could help so I might try that also. I hope it does help your mother.
  amanda95449 debbie_58863
  Thank you debbie, i hope it helps her too. Funnily enough the GP though my mums iron was fine too but it was the specialist who said it was on the lower end and that ferritin (FE on blood test) should be at least 50 for RLS relief.