This is the most gentle form of iron on the market today! 1 capsule = 30mg iron (as ferrous bisglycinate chelate) in veggie capsule

Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and ferritin. These proteins are involved in the transport, storage, and release of oxygen to the tissues.

Iron supplementation is called for when any of the following are present: • Iron Deficiency Anemia/ Plummer-Vinson Syndrome
• Need for Supplemental Iron due to Age, Gender, Lifestyle
• Heavy Menstrual Periods

• Gastritis, Ulcer
• Social, Emotional, Learning Disorders, Breath-holding Spells in Children

Our custom formulated FORTIFY iron supplement uses fully-reacted chelates which are absorbed as foods (i.e. Protein) and as such this form of Iron will not cause the constipation seen with inorganic iron supplements. Since these chelates are absorbed as food, they do not compete with other minerals (i.e. Zinc and Copper) for absorption. The two Glycine molecules that protect the Iron (see illustration) are precursors to the protein Hemoglobin.

The (heme) component of hemoglobin is responsible for delivering iron and oxygen to peripheral tissues.

Iron deficiency presents as fatigue and is most common in individuals who experience loss of blood (menstruation, ulcers). Our FORTIFY iron supplement uses iron bis-glycinate which is less likely to have any of the gastrointestinal side- effects associated with standard iron supplementation such as constipation or gas.

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FERRITIN – High and Low

By Dr. Marie Pace, DNM, CNC, HHP

Ferritin is a protein that contains iron and is the primary form of iron stored inside of cells. The small amount of ferritin that is released and circulates in the blood is a reflection of the total amount of iron stored in the body. Insufficient levels of circulating and stored iron may eventually lead to iron deficiency anemia (decreased hemoglobin). In the early stage of iron deficiency, no physical effects are usually seen and the amount of iron stored may be significantly depleted before any signs or symptoms of iron deficiency develop. If a person is otherwise healthy and anemia develops over a long period of time, symptoms seldom appear before the hemoglobin in the blood drops below the lower limit of normal.

The amount of ferritin stored reflects the amount of iron stored. In humans, it acts as a buffer against iron deficiency. Ferritin serves to store iron in a non-toxic form, to deposit it in a safe form, and to transport it to areas where it is required. If the ferritin level is low, there is a risk for lack of iron, which could lead to anemia.

LOW FERRITIN:

Deficiency Symptoms will include fatigue, pale, weakness, fullness in epigastrium, trouble swallowing, coughing, dizziness and passing out, chest pain, trouble breathing, rapid heart beat, blood in stools, low blood pressure, heart murmur, low thyroid (due to inability to convert into thyroid hormones), hunger for strange substances, soreness of the mouth with cracks in the corners, leg cramps, tingling in the feet and hands. Iron deficiency, especially when it progresses into full-blown iron deficiency anemia, can cause hair loss. It sends your body into survival mode, so your body channels oxygen to support vital functions as opposed to ones like keeping your hair intact.

In the setting of anemia, low serum ferritin is the most specific lab test for iron deficiency anemia. Low ferritin may also indicate hypothyroidism, vitamin C deficiency or celiac disease

Your iron and ferritin levels are very important factor in your health. If these levels are low you may have a hard time tolerating thyroid treatment.

How does low ferritin affect adrenals? Good iron levels are needed for thyroid to be able to convert properly (T4 to T3) and for T3 to get to the cells as it should. Low iron causes extreme adrenal stress as your body cannot utilize thyroid properly (even your own) unless these levels are correct. Low iron also will cause your body to make more reverse T3 than T3 as it knows it cannot utilize it correctly so tries to lower the thyroid in the blood. It will also lower your TSH even when you are very hypothyroid already.

Low ferritin symptoms can mimic low cortisol, low thyroid and electrolyte imbalance symptoms. Some examples would be anxiety, high heart rate, heart palpitation, fatigue, weakness and more.

HIGH FERRITIN:

A high ferritin level when Sat and iron are in the optimal range could indicate inflammation. When serum iron and % sat are low and ferritin is high it means there is inflammation or possibly infection your body is dealing with and you still would need iron. Only when % sat and serum iron is good or high would you not need more iron.

The bottom line concerning HIGH Ferritin

• Elevated ferritin levels are usually due to causes such as acute or chronic inflammation, chronic alcohol consumption, liver disease, renal failure, metabolic syndrome, or malignancy rather than iron overload
• Exclude these causes clinically or with initial tests such as full blood count, liver and renal function, and inflammatory markers (C reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
• A normal serum transferrin saturation (ideally fasting) usually excludes iron overload (where it is raised) and suggests a reactive cause for raised ferritin
• Unexplained serum ferritin values >1000 μg/L warrant referral for further investigation
• Consider HFE mutation screen for hereditary haemochromatosis in individuals with elevated ferritin AND a raised transferrin saturation >45%

Ideally values should be:

Saturation should be 34-45%

TIBC should be 240-450ug

Serum Iron should be 100 – 130                                 

Ferritin should be 70 – 90

References:

BMJ British Medical Journal    2015; 351 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h3692 (Published 03 August 2015)Cite this as: BMJ 2015;351:h3692