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Lab Work follow up for my annual CBC and “lightheaded” issues.
I got my annual lab results from my PC and had asked for some additional tests to check on my lightheadedness. This is the quick reply from my doctor, and a request to see me in person. I would love some feedback.
“your iron was too high, which can cause fatigue issues, also headaches. The short-term plan is to go donate blood, which gets rid of some of the excess. Also, your sugar was a tad low, and your thyroid was a tad high. The long-term plan would be better if we could discuss in person”
Results out of normal:
Glucose 66
Hematocrit 46.6
Eosinophils 6.7
Iron 253.84
% saturation 67.9
My questions, are:
1. Could my diet potentially be contributing to my high iron? I have been on the AIP (Autoimmune protocol) since January 2022 strictly, now eating paleo in 2023. I do eat grass-fed all natural bison and wild elk meat 3-4 times a week (Salmon, cod, free range chicken, and occasional pork on weekly too). I eat very limited nuts, seeds and grains when home (I eat when traveling). I eat spinach daily.
2. What do I need to be concerned about with long-term high iron levels? My doctor mentioned donating blood to help decrease my iron. I passout 100% of times I have attempted to donate blood in my life. Any other suggestions to lower the iron level in my blood?
3. With my lightheadedness, is my low glucose a factor? What future concerns does low glucose lead to?
4. I’m not concerned with thyroid, that goes up and down.
Thank you so much.
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3 Replies
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Hey ,
Thank you for sharing your labs! I hope this answer might help you to make the right choices.
The most common reason for elevations in iron would be hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis is a genetic condition in which your body is better at storing iron which can lead to an overload. This can cause elevations in iron. Ferritin (the storage form of iron) usually won’t go up until iron levels are really high. Has your doctor checked for hemochromatosis?
What do I need to be concerned about with long-term high iron levels?
High iron levels can affect different tissues. For example the pancreas (which plays a role in blood sugar regulation), the thyroid, the liver and other organs.Many people with hemochromatosis don’t know it. Clues to watch out for are symptoms the body might present, for example:
• The feeling of tiredness or weakness,
• brain fog, mood swings, depression and anxiety
• Weight loss,
• Joint pain,
• Bronze or grey skin color,
• Abdominal pain,
• Loss of sex drive (including irregular periods or stopped/missed periods)High iron levels can also be caused by taking iron supplements/medications. Do you know if you are using any?
It’s also good to realize that high iron levels can cause some serious problems, like:
• Damage to the liver (cirrhoses)
• Heart disease
• DiabetesYou can find more information here.
Could my diet potentially be contributing to my high iron?
Normally it is hard to get an overload of iron from foods. It is regulated through a hormone called Hepcidin. The more iron you have, the more Hepcidin you will create, which will decrease iron absorption. However, in the case of hemochromatosis, you’re iron absorption is ‘better than normal’. In this case, diet does contribute to high iron levels and high iron foods are best to be avoided.Examples of high-iron foods are beef liver (and other organ meats), red meat and raw seafood like oysters, mussels, or clams. Spinach is also a potent source of iron.
Some other factors influence iron absorption. We do have a movie on the platform which addresses correcting an iron overload. you can find it right here!
With my lightheadedness, is my low glucose a factor?
High iron levels can contribute to lightheadedness, but low blood sugar as well. In fact, you might want to discuss with your doctor if having low blood sugars won’t be a problem if you decide to donate blood.In the early stages of insulin resistance, we see that blood sugars can drop low. The elevated insulin produced by the pancreas is pushing the blood sugars more aggressively into the cells. Since the cells are still sensitive enough in the beginning, blood sugars might drop. Measuring fasting insulin levels might provide insight if this is at play.
Additional pearls from your labs:
Your liver enzymes are a bit on the lower end. We need vitamin B6 to produce these enzymes. Often, when they are low, this can indicate a need for more vitamin B6. If you’re going to support the body with vitamin B6, it might be good to measure the liver enzymes again since a vitamin B6 insufficiency can mask elevations in liver enzymes.Another enzyme that in functional medicine we often like to see higher is Alkaline Phosphatase. When Alkaline Phosphatase is lower, it often indicates a need for more zinc.
Elevations in eosinophils can be caused by allergies or asthma. Do you know if you have these conditions? Eosinophils can also be elevated due to something at play in the gut. Are you experiencing bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, cramps, vomiting or any other gut-related symptoms?
You mentioned you were on an auto-immune protocol. Could your perhaps share with us for what reason?
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thank you for all this.
I have controlled asthma, and chronic Lyme disease. Could Lyme be causing elevated eosinophils?
I have been on AIP diet to help with Lyme. It was the single biggest thing that helped me. I was feeling the best I have in years after 6 months on AIP, then I got covid and haven’t quite rebounded. I am now eating paleo (not strict on AIP now).
Since I don’t eat many nuts, no seeds, no legumes, minimal grains (occasional white rice) after listening to the video about high iron, I am wondering if added these back into my diet could help block iron absorption? Or perhaps just taking a calcium supplement at each meal?I do have supplements, beef liver pills including, but actually have not taken them for 5 months because I got behind on things. So I don’t really have any supplements to cut out.
I do think I am probably low in B6. What is your recommendation for a good b6 supplement? -
replying in short messages between kid chaos. I know that I will not be able to donate blood. I have never been successful at it and am starting a full time job in 2 days so cannot donate as it leaves me weak for days. What other methods should I talk to my doctor about to get my iron levels down? I have an appointment with her Sept 19th.
I will also be doing energetic laser detox treatment as soon as I can get into my practitioner. I believe she can help with heavy metals. (Is iron considered a heavy metal?)
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