Hello Guys,

I am trying to find an explanation for an annoying blood test results.
Iron, HB remain pretty much same like last year while Ferritin drops to Less than 50%
Here's a print.
If any of you knows what can cause such a drop, I will be Happy to learn
Thanks a lot!

Ferritin is one measure of nutritional status as well, have you been either dieting or losing weight unintentionally?

Lost 2 kg but Very much intentionally

I consumed pine-bark-extract in the last year, saw studies suggesting that it (polyphenols, Bioflavonoids ..) may harm Iron absorption - BUT, Iron remained the same and Ferritin alone droped to less than 50% - So I am not sure it has to do with this pine-bark thing

Pine Bark? look a lot of this health food stuff is unproven, they have no long term data on health effects taking that stuff, but short term there are issues, see: Error 500 activeingredientid=1019&activeingredientname=pycnogenol And this: Adverse Effects of Pine Bark Extract | LIVESTRONG.COM

Along with those side effects is irritability and fatigue. In addition there is no standardized and the amount of concentration is difficult to determine how much should be taken.

I've never been a proponent of most of the stuff sold in health food stores, this is multi billion dollar industry with no oversight. Most people who go to these places buy mega vitamins and are simply flushing about 99% of down the toilet unused, so you're essentially flushing money down the toilet. In addition to that is the issue of toxicity levels are routinely reached not only with vitamins but herbs too, with usually no short term effects but over the long term may be causing illnesses. I know that I had 2 friends who were very much into this stuff along with vegan diet and plenty of exercise, one was registered in various aspects of this stuff, both died of cancer before they were 50. Was this related to long term toxic levels of vitamins and herbs? I don't know and there is no way to tell, maybe if, big if, someone did a thorough autopsy that could have been determined.

If you eat right you're body gets all it needs from food, even doctors will tell you the most you should need is very cheap and generic daily vitamin, I don't take anything. Some elderly people have problems with extreme fatigue and vitamin B12 shots but even that has been controversial, but supposedly if the doctor does a blood test and finds the person deficient then a B12 shot may be beneficial. Keep in mind that a shot is absorbed better into the body then a pill, and b12 doesn't build up a toxicity level like some other vitamins, so in that vein (no pun intended) a B12 shot may not do anything but it won't hurt you either.

I think you're barking up the wrong tree.

Ferritin has two major functions;
it is the prime iron storage and carrying protein, a low ferritin is often associated with a lower amount of stored iron. Not sure what your Lab's reference range is for ferritin, a value of 50 May be considered a "normal" value. With a lower ferritin, taking iron may well increase your ferritin as more ferritin is needed to carry the extra iron.
Ferritin is also a reactant phase protein, especially to some types of infections. Your body could have been fighting an infection, won the battle, but consumed a lot of ferritin doing so - so your level was depressed.

Not only are some "natural" supplements of questionable value, often, the bottle does not even contain what it's supposed to. St John's Wort tablets are often just rice powder and sawdust, or whatever fake filler they have on hand. And this is from reputable U.S. drugstores and Walmart, but there is no quality control or regulation.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/m...-fake-herbals/

)

Thank you martianone.

Thank you Homebrew01.

Time to switch to yew tree bark. It's either poisonous or cures cancer.

Since the normal range is about 12-300 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter), your level is normal. The 50 does not mean 50%.

Yep.

Could you please explain? same units 107 > 50 and it's not a 50+% decrease?

A question ... why are you not asking your doctor these things? I presume that your doctor gave you the test results?? Why didn't you ask him/her then?

--
You presume wrong my friend not many family-doctors know how to explain this

Where did you get the test results from?

In the countries where I have lived, a Dr prescribes a blood test for a reason ... he/she suspects that something might be abnormal. Then I go for the test ... then the Dr receives the results ... and when I see the Dr next time he/she goes over the results with me and explains them.

Do-it-yourself healthcare, with Bikeforums as primary resource ?

And internet bicycle forums do? Yep, first place I'd go for medical advice! Do you also go to medical forums on how to adjust your headset?

I wouldn't care about those feretin and iron numbers at all unless I was anemic and looking for the cause, but you're not since you've got awesome hematocrit and hemoglobin numbers.

Thanks pacificaslim.

Guys, I am checking (crossing information) with med. doctors, with a prof. who researches this very field, and in the bike forum too. sometimes one can learn from other's experience.

I appreciate those of you who are trying to share knowledge and help - Thank you!

Oh, but we should??? If your doctor doesn't know, a bunch of cyclists aren't going to, either. Maybe you should refer yourself to a specialist. You know, just to see if your blood test is normal?

Dude, get a grip.

Cycling may be all you do and know, but most of us have educations,work in specialized fields including medecine, and have experiences and resources to be helpful in a wide array of circumstances.

That said, I'm sure the OP will no more blindly follow the opinion of some random cat in a forum than either you or I would.