Dear colleagues,
Below is a list of the last eight measurements of my serum iron levels:
Standard Range
Iron 45 - 170 ug/dL 10/12/14 4/2/15 10/29/15 5/23/16 12/23/16 6/9/17 11/13/17 3/5/18
130 63 92 93 62 95 32 33
Notice that the standard range is 45 - 170 ug/dL; my last two readings -- 11/13/2017 and 3/5/2018 -- were
well below this. (All readings prior to 10/12/2014 were in the normal range).
I felt faint early last Monday, but managed to teach my 9-10:15AM and 2-3:15PM courses. Between courses,
I went to Urgent Care in the medical group where my primary physician (specialized in gerontology) works.
Blood was drawn. Serum iron was 33 ug/dL -- low. I received a note from another NP who works in the same office,
suggesting an iron supplement.
I should note that I felt much better the next day, and the problem hasn't recurred. Although I have had a tendency to feel fatigued
for the last few years -- might this be a side effect of CR, aging, and/or low serum iron?
I thought I would check the high expertise of some of our members.
-- Saul