Thalassemia Patients and Friends

Discussion Forums => Iron Chelation Corner => Topic started by: swimfan on February 14, 2006, 07:23:13 PM

Title: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: swimfan on February 14, 2006, 07:23:13 PM
The ferritin level should be measured at least once a year I believe for thal major's.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Danielle on February 15, 2006, 03:36:40 PM
Mine is 1600 right now, which isn't good, since it was only 800 last year.  I only skip Desferal a couple of times a week, but I really need to do it 7 days a week.  I need to get moving.   :(
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Smurfette on February 17, 2006, 03:13:20 AM


 :huh

Hello to all,

Well I dont agree that ferritin levels should be taken every year...Here in sydney australia we have our ferritin levels taken either every month or every three months...

Mine at the moment is sitting on 500 which is very good...I am aiming to dropping it lower...


 :veil
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: baal on February 17, 2006, 04:15:39 PM
hi all

sometihngs in your countries must working better......
my ferr.level ist allways about 10.-16.000
many many years ago i had level in the dimension of 4-8.000
but 800!!!!   that must be a dream come trought...
greez from an old greek from cold germany...panos
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on February 17, 2006, 04:28:06 PM
Pan,
My friend. It is so good to see you here.

Can you tell me what you are doing for chelation these days? Is it desferal and how much and how often do you take it.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: baal on February 17, 2006, 04:42:10 PM
hi andy

happy to see you here....
things are going very complikated...
since 1999 i had a port a caht and do desferal in very hight dose
but now my doc will start me in exjade...i stopt desferal now
i am waiting dayly for her call...
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Smurfette on February 19, 2006, 12:27:48 AM
Panos,
 :huh

Do me a favour and dont stop your desferal untill your doctor calls you please....You can still put your pump on and wait for her or him to call you...Its important that you still wear it..while waiting...

Take care

 :veil


Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Ayesha on February 19, 2006, 02:14:39 PM
1061 :$
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Eleni on February 19, 2006, 10:57:28 PM
326 lowest ever :) YAY
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on February 19, 2006, 11:05:50 PM
 

      :yahoo
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Danielle on February 22, 2006, 06:35:34 AM
326 lowest ever :) YAY

Wow, that's awesome!  :clap

What have you been doing to get it that low, Eleni?   :huh
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Prince on February 23, 2006, 06:26:12 PM
Mine latest report shows 1800
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Angela on March 03, 2006, 05:27:52 AM
That is wonderful Eleni. Keep it up!
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: farfora on March 03, 2006, 09:17:02 PM
mine is 2000
am not using desferal so regular ,as i sometimes i get bored of it ,i ll try hard again
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Eponine on April 02, 2006, 03:06:52 PM
After reading all your ferritin levels, I'm too embaressed to reveal mine...
I'm trying! I really am! I can't take L1 so my only saviour is Desferal which is... so diffucult to comply with... but I am trying! I am!
 :sigh
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on April 02, 2006, 03:19:42 PM
Hi Eponine,

Please do keep up on your desferal. I know it's hard and after your bad L1 experience it's your only current choice, but you gotta keep up. I can tell you to do it for all the people who love you and that should be a huge reason for doing so, but even more, do it for yourself. You've got lots of hopes and dreams for your life and it's up to you to make them reality. It's never easy but nothing ever is in life. We're all here to support each other and help each other out, and some of us were lucky enough to meet you in Dubai and most definitely want to meet you again at the next conference.  :biggrin

Desferal is today but tomorrow it may be something so much easier to take like Exjade. Is there any word on it coming to Singapore? Trials have just started in Australia so it may be soon.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Eponine on April 02, 2006, 03:41:36 PM
Thanks so much for your encouragement. Really mean alot! I too know that I have to persevere on with Desferal. There has been 2 deaths here among that small % of thals that we have in tiny Singapore from heart failure. And they are 2 people whom I know and have known them from young though not close. It's a wake up call. Really. I know even if not for myself, I have to fight on for my loved ones. I wanna get married and have children!!!  :wub Though to and with whom, I'm not sure yet...  :lol

Exjade here in Singapore is in the process of getting it approved. However, it is not easy becuase authorities would say that we already have L1 and desferal so why the need for Exjade... but anyhow, we are keeping our fingers crossed. I'm not too much of a hurry to start on Exjade though after my experience with L1. Just want to take a wait and see approach first.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: baris on April 06, 2006, 09:46:22 PM
My ferritin level was 1267 in 6 january and 1603 in 28 march. You can think that I didn't chelate very well. On the contrary, I actually did it regularly. I believe dry iron (I mean iron in organs) dissolved that resulted in ferritin to be increased.

I have had ferritin measured once in a three month.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: jzd24 on April 07, 2006, 01:06:21 AM
Hi all,
It's really interesting to read what everyone is using for a chelator and what ferritin levels are. I usually use desferal 4-5 times a week and my ferritin level was still at 3064 in February. I get it checked every 3 months. I hope I can get it down lower. I'm going to Chicago at the end of May for tests and a check-up. Keep pumping! Jean
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Smurfette on April 12, 2006, 10:18:56 AM
 :yahoo :yahoo :yahoo :yahoo :yahoo :yahoo

Well just found out my ferritin resuls today before my transfusion and my ferritin was 253 the lowest its ever been....

People its hard but you can all do it if you persist in what your doing...Keep up the pumping and who ever is on L1 take it religiously..Cause it can happen....

I have been stopped in using my pump now for 2 mths....

 :woot :woot :woot :party :party
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Poirot on April 13, 2006, 05:26:27 AM
Well just found out my ferritin resuls today before my transfusion and my ferritin was 253 the lowest its ever been....


WOW!!! Well done ...... :woot :yahoo
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Smurfette on April 13, 2006, 01:37:53 PM
To Poirot,

Thank you..Its a milestone for me...I hope this will give everyone the enthusiasim to not give up on doing their pumps...Its a long haul yes, but the results are worth it...
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: jzd24 on April 13, 2006, 01:50:21 PM
Great news, Smurfette! :five
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: ALPA on June 28, 2006, 05:36:23 PM
Hi All

Today we got the result of Feretin level for our child.
Its 893. Dec 2005 it was 2177. She is on the combination treatment. Twice daily Kelfer, 2 times weekly 10 mg desferal and three times 5 mg weekly.

Drs has advised to continue the same.

Bye
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on June 28, 2006, 06:12:38 PM
That is great news!  :biggrin
Please do your best to keep it below 1000.  Development will be fairly normal if you can.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: lily on July 07, 2006, 07:24:57 PM
Hi everyone,

My son's doctor used to check his ferritin every 3 mos. He has pretty much been on daily desf since he was a toddler.  His ferritin numbers had dropped so low that his doctor decided to stop desf for a while and continued to monitor his numbers.  For us it was great he had been of off desf for about a year and his numbers remained low. He had finally reached the age to start doing liver biopsies.  It was there that we discovered that even though the numbers were showing low, the iron was damaging his liver, so much so that there has been talk of a possible liver transplant.

I'd like to know if anyone has had any similar experiences with ferritin levels not being an accurate indicator?  I also would like to know does anyone have regular liver biopsies?  If not I would recommend that you discuss it with your doctor and don't just rely on ferritin levels.  I believe that if we hadn't relied so much on those numbers his liver would not be as bad as it is today.

Bye,
Lily
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Hallu on August 23, 2006, 08:00:06 PM
I'm a Thal Intermedia and I'm not transfusion dependant. Got transfused once.
I have a question regarding my ferritin level. My level has been around 500. It goes in 400s and sometimes in low 500 with saturation 40%. I'm a lil concerned as I'm not on any chelation therapy.
The only tests I get to evaluate my ferritin level are Serum Ferritin and Saturation % and few other iron tests.
Is it reasonable for me to assume that my ferritin level is not bad. I'm not on any chelation therapy so far. As per my doctor, chelation therapy is started when level reaches around 1000. Does that sound reasonable.

I never got any biopsy or scan test.

Would like to hear your suggestions.

Thanks,
Hallu
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on August 23, 2006, 08:12:24 PM
Chelation is never recommended until the ferritin goes at least to 1000. Your level is due to dietary absorption but is at an acceptable level. If you can get insurance to pay for a FerriScan it would ease your mind, but it's very doubtful you have any problem in your organs if that's as high as your ferritin has ever measured.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Hallu on August 24, 2006, 05:48:40 PM
Thanks Andy. It brings some relief to me.
I always had this fear after reading stories from ppl that how ferritin levels were so off when measured with either scan or biopsy.
My doctor/s never recommended any tests(such as biopsy/scan) on me and also are never concerned with level. So I just thought to take others opinion on same.

Thanks for replying.

--Hallu
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Miaki on August 31, 2006, 01:14:16 PM
Arghhhhh this is such a sore spot for me lately.

What's your ferritin levels? ..............Well up until I had my son my ferritin levels had been kept at below 500 (I had him aged 25) . After I gave birth (which was 12 yrs ago) my ferritin levels were around the 1000 to 1500.
Two years ago I suffered from glandular fever and my ferritin levels went to around the 3000 and then started coming down.

In this two year time frame I have neglected myself due to me looking after my very ill husband and my ferritin levels went to 4000 and on the increase. I went to my doctor requesting I go on L1. I have started L1 combination therapy with Desferal and I have not mastered the desferal part yet. One would think that after doing desferal for the past 20 yrs you would have this down pat. However I can't quit get the a grip on things and my ferritin levels have gone up to 7000 since starting L1. ( i have been told this will come down but I must also use desferal to aid this)

I confess I hate doing desferal and for me being bought up as a very compliant patient it bothers me to see me not compling the way I should and after helping many patients overseas and saying how we must all complly.

I hope I snap out of this pit I have fallen into and get out of it and kick some butt with lowering my ferrint levels. I have a very caring family and also work collegues that remind me "Have you put your pump on ?"  :wink  (thanks for your support - you know who you are)

Miaki


Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: jzd24 on September 01, 2006, 04:48:27 AM
Miaki,
     I was wondering if you have any problems such as shortness of breath, fatigue or heart palpitations?  I hope things will get better for you, and you will be able to knock that iron level down. You can do it!   :cheer     
     Sometimes in our lives it's just really difficult to take care of ourselves. We get so busy, or we are taking care of children or others we love, or we get so worn down being ill that we just can't deal with any more.  I hope things work out so you can focus more attention on yourself and get that iron OUT! I understand though that sometimes it seems impossible to do. 
    Good luck - I am sending you positive energy thoughts.   :love    Jean
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Smurfette on September 01, 2006, 07:27:13 AM
Miaki

Dont dispear all will come good of it...Just persist...I just found out my latest ferritin levels and they are a low 157...

Its never been that low for me never...So this is the biggest milestone for me...I have been told to stop using L1 for some time cause its alittle too low...

But it feels great to have a ferritin this low...

I know how you feel...Just keep up your good work...

Take care
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on September 01, 2006, 05:46:36 PM
Smurfette,

Way to go!   :thumbsup


You are an inspiration to every thal with your hard work and determination. You've worked hard to get your ferritin down and to get your body into good shape with regular exercise. I hope everyone is paying attention.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: sahil on September 03, 2006, 06:38:21 PM
Hi to all,
          I had undergone Splenectomy in the year 2005 March and in june my ferritin came 9200 but after taking regular Desferal and Kelfer i got my ferritin down to 2510 in July 2006.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Miaki on November 10, 2006, 10:54:17 AM
Greetings to all,

Well I have come with an update on my ferritin levels. Since writting to you in my last post dated 31st August 2006. My ferritin levels went up to 8200 around there and now with my latest reading I have managed to get them down too 4200 Yihaaaaaaaaa  :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer

Still,  I have some work to do to get them way back down to under 1000 but I'm proud of myself getting them down to this. I think we all should be proud of ourselves for trying to maintain low levels. It's hard generally speaking to maintain a job, family and our social side of things and to be able to maintain the health reagime that is required for patients with a chronic illness I think we should all give ourselves a pat on the back for doing so well.

Also some other excitting news that I am starting Exjade this week. (stopping L1 and Desferal) A dream come true after doing my pump for the past 29 yrs ......I hope ALL patients around the world get their dream come true soon.

Love Miaki

ps: @ jzd24 you had asked me if i suffered any shortness of breath, palpatations and fatigue. I had noticed I was short of breath when I would start walking but once I got my breathing into a pattern I was ok. I never really had palpatation the odd one or two maybe once a year and fatigue yes I did but only more so after I suffered with glandular fever back in 2004. However at times I did feel over tired but again I put it down to working, looking after a family and doing the usual thing a parent does. Also I noticed it more 2 days prior to my blood transfusion.

I was advised by my cardiologist to do a sleep study which I have done so. Waiting on results for this. Also he put me on lasixs once a day to get rid of some of the excess fluid I retain at times. Apart from that all is doing well.

Hope this helps. 
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Kathy11 on November 10, 2006, 11:25:18 AM
Hi Maiki,
I am happy for the break you are getting ,you deserve it.It's good to read some good news.
 Kathy :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Miaki on November 10, 2006, 11:40:17 AM
Hey Kathy

Thanks so much hun. And good to see you here  :hug :wink

Love Miaki
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: §ãJ¡Ð ساجد on November 10, 2006, 11:59:06 AM
:party :party :party :party

Keep it up, I mean down ! :thumbsup

:party :party :party :party
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: dani75 on November 10, 2006, 01:35:49 PM
my ferritin level is ca. 150...
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: dani75 on November 10, 2006, 01:43:25 PM
3,0 g Desferal... 7 day/week ... in 10 hours with  my pump...




Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: dani75 on November 10, 2006, 01:58:47 PM
ist my ferritin level to low?  ??? :huh


Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on November 10, 2006, 04:04:02 PM
Your ferritin level is low enough to consider cutting back on the desferal. 7 days a week may be more than you need right now.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Eponine on November 20, 2006, 04:14:10 PM

Well I have come with an update on my ferritin levels. Since writting to you in my last post dated 31st August 2006. My ferritin levels went up to 8200 around there and now with my latest reading I have managed to get them down too 4200 Yihaaaaaaaaa  :cheer :cheer :cheer :cheer

Still,  I have some work to do to get them way back down to under 1000 but I'm proud of myself getting them down to this. I think we all should be proud of ourselves for trying to maintain low levels. It's hard generally speaking to maintain a job, family and our social side of things and to be able to maintain the health reagime that is required for patients with a chronic illness I think we should all give ourselves a pat on the back for doing so well.

Also some other excitting news that I am starting Exjade this week. (stopping L1 and Desferal) A dream come true after doing my pump for the past 29 yrs ......I hope ALL patients around the world get their dream come true soon.
 

Hey Miaki
Really glad for you! Am trying to bring my ferritin level down too. Mine's like 4000+. It has come down in the last few months. Really struggling with it. It's amazing how you are able to juggle with SO many things at a time and still so faithful with the pump. You are my idol. Exjade here is still TOO expensive. Can't afford. Let me know how the Exjade thing goes.

Eponine
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: howard on November 24, 2006, 01:59:35 AM
Hi I’m also from Singapore. The latest test that I went for my ferritin was about 700 and I am working to keep it down to less than 300

I am currently on combination of desferal and Defripone. Exjade is not yet avail in Singapore and heard from my doctors that it would roughly cost us $4k per month if we go for Exjade.

Even Desferal and Defripone in Singapore are expensive drugs and surprisingly Defriprone is not a subsidized drug. We are given very limited subsided in our medication and monthly transfusion.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Eponine on November 26, 2006, 08:18:28 PM
Hi Howard

Good to hear that your ferritin level is rather low. Yes, Exjade is still not really approved in Singapore although I do know of a few using exjade already. It does cost a lot. About $2k or more a month and that's only for a 14 yr old. I can't imagine with my age and ferritin level and the amount of blood I get monthly how much exjade would cost me.
I tried Deferiprone but now stopped because I had a really bad reaction which left me in the hospital with 2 surgeries for 2 months. It is not surprising that Deferiprone is not subsidized because according to the govt, we already have desferal which is effective in iron chelation, there is no need for Deferiprone. But we are working to get it approved as a standard drug so that govt can subsidise it. We want to prove that Deferiprone is very useful in the chelation in heart and that most of thals deaths are because of heart failure. I already know of 2 in a short 4 months in the past year in Singapore.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Ida-Maria on February 06, 2007, 06:30:31 PM
I cant remember the exact number but my sister and I had very very high levels so our doctor in toronto made us go through a 24/7 for a year injection. We wore our pumps for a year and it was through our ports. She had to get one put in - I've had mine since i was 4 but recently they took it out...  :( this october just passed actually. I was attached to it... and I asked the surgeon if I can see it after and they didnt show me. *sigh*  14 years with it and you think they'd maybe listen to my request.

Anyway - I'll have to find out the number exactly... mom should know. :P
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: TyPhOoN on February 08, 2007, 02:33:59 PM
hi all

When I was a 10 years old, my ferritin level 8300. I m used desferal 6 day of week and high dose.  Later my ferritin level was around 3500, I began desferal + ferriprox 2 years ago and my ferritin level was 1100. And stopped desferal + ferriprox. I using exjade now ( I start 1 years ago) and my ferritin level is  800. But I had a diabetic 6 years ago.

anyway, I m happy now. sometimes ı have a some problem but ı m try for to be happy. I know, I always make a lot of mistake when I speak English. I want to learn perfect. :)

Best Regards,

Tayfun
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: §ãJ¡Ð ساجد on February 08, 2007, 03:15:44 PM
Hi Tayfun!

Remember me? It was me this morning on the Messenger chat. Good to know that you are doing good and using Exjade.

Don't worry about making mistakes in English. No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes every now and then, even I make many mistakes. Just laugh them away and forget what happened in the past.

Take care, Peace!
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: §ãJ¡Ð ساجد on April 11, 2007, 11:55:58 AM
Hi all,

As you know I got my S.F checked a couple of weeks ago and the results came 1000+ Which means off the scale for their machine :biggrin So, I had to re check it through a special cancer hospital in another city. It took more than 15 days for their results to arrive and the results are in...

My S.F levels are at a whopping 8000 (give or take a few hundred :biggrin)

Talk about being "Heavy weight" champion with real Iron :crackup

The doctor has increased my dose from 8 vial per week to 12 vials per week. I know it is still less but just one notch more so that I can comply easier.

I've been also recommended for the oral pills (Deferiprone). Probably the "Ferinill" brand. There is also an issue of my low blood counts that needs to be settled before these pills.

Well, let's see how it goes. I will keep you guys updated.

Take care, Peace!
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on April 11, 2007, 05:58:02 PM
Hi Sajid,


I sincerely hope that everything will be okay for u ,inshallah,you haven't started defriprone yet?are ur blood counts really low?and about ferinill,please inform me about the cost,is kelfer available there in rawalpindi?zainab is using ferriprox+desferal,,her iron went up to 1800 last time checked 2 months ago as ferriprox was not available here,but now we are working on it and i am praying to get a -1000 when she goes for transfusion in the end of this month,i was reading ferritin levels here,,oh my,people are inspiration here,with as low iron as 157 :clap ,and Sajid u've always inspired me with ur positive approach,please keep lowering your ferritin level, and i f u need, i'll b happy to send you kelfer from here, as it's quite inexpensive,( rs 500 i think,don't know about ferinill though)any ways take care and keep pumping.

 :flowers

ZAINI.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on April 12, 2007, 05:44:24 AM
Hi Sajid

I am so sorry to hear about this but please keep chelating . I am sure you know how important this is. could the   high ferritin be the cause of the recent health problems???/


Manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: §ãJ¡Ð ساجد on April 12, 2007, 05:49:23 AM
Hi guys,

Yes Zaini, my blood counts are pretty low. I got them checked yesterday and they are as follows:

Hb: 6.8
RBC: 2.55
WBC: 1.8
PLT: 80

So it will be a while before I can start the pills. As for Ferinill, it's just Deferiprone/Kelfer with a different brand label. The foundation imports them and will provide them, so I don't think it is available for sale.

Well, Manal I have an appointment today as well and will see what they suggest. I hope they sign me up for TransX as well. Currently they have only signed me up for Chelation. I am thinking of doing around the clock chelation but I'm running out of painless sites on my gut and will move to other places, such as thighs etc.

Does anyone know how long can (should) a standard butterfly needle last? (Eg 48 hrs etc.) I want to prick my self the least number of times and only switch the filled up syringes.

Well, that's about it for now. I will keep everyone posted.

Take care, Peace!
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on April 12, 2007, 06:13:40 PM
Yes Sajid,

these are quite low, i hope you are in good hands,i'll pray for you. :pray

LOVE.

ZAINI.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: jade on April 13, 2007, 03:58:20 AM
hello sajid

Hope you get better soon. 

takr care
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: baal on April 13, 2007, 04:18:10 AM
hi sajid

you are right...
its time to do something
for myselfe im a heavywight too (7880)
but for me its oki....
i am normaly over the 10.000s........
but since the spleenektomy i got to
go now only ones in a month to tranx
that helps pushing .......
take care....                         panos
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: jzd24 on April 13, 2007, 04:30:26 AM
Sajid,
     Your hemoglobin is so low, I don't know how you do all that you do with it so low. I hope you can get transfusions when you need them to get your level up higher. I also hope that you can start the new chelator to help get your ferritin level down. Wish we could all be there to support you, and give you a big hug - you have been such a help to so many on this site.   :bighug  Despite all your own problems, you have inspired others with your kind comments and helpful information. You are truly awesome, Sajid, and please know that we all care about you very much and wish you only the very best. I'm frustrated that I can't do something to help you except send love and hope. You are amazingl  :heartred    Love, Jean
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: §ãJ¡Ð ساجد on April 13, 2007, 02:35:01 PM
Aww...  :wub :blush

You guys are great!

I got a Transfusion today and will get another one on Monday or Tuesday and they will see if I need another one depending on the success of these two.

I'm still concerned about the Iron levels however, since with these Hyper Transfusions it will only go up and don't feel like poking myself again and again for Desferal. There has got to be a simpler solution... I'm going to try to keep the needle in for about 24 hours and save myself a prick.

Well, thanks again everyone. You made me feel a lot better :grin

Take care, Peace!
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on April 13, 2007, 04:47:43 PM
Good Luck Sajid. Please keep us updated :goodluck :goodluck

Manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on April 13, 2007, 07:38:22 PM
Yes Sajid,

i'll repeat what Manal said,please keep us informed,may ALLAH ALMIGHTY bless you with HIS blessings.and please do tell me if u know, that is there any specific reason your counts are going that low,or it just happens after that many years of transfusion??

Wishing you all the best.

ZAINI.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on April 14, 2007, 01:25:02 AM
Sajid,

If your Hb continues to stay so low, you might have to do what Panos said and get a splenectomy.

Panos,

When did you have your splenectomy? How is your health since?

And to both of you and everyone else where it applies...Stop slacking and get yourselves chelating!!!  :waiting
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on April 14, 2007, 10:52:10 AM
Dear Sajid

Have you checked the functions of the liver? i once read that when the liver malfunctions, this causes the blood counts to fall

Manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Rani pk on April 22, 2007, 05:51:41 AM
hi every 1
my s.f level is 10091 :wah
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: §ãJ¡Ð ساجد on April 22, 2007, 07:06:08 AM
Hi Aneela,

Those figures are definitely high if you didn't put an extra zero by mistake.

I'd really recommend you get it lowered lest it does serious damage to your organs like my spleen and liver are.

As a result my Platelet, WBC counts have decreased and ALT increased disqualifying me for the oral pills (Kelfer)

I hope that your PLT, WBC and ALT are normal so that you can use combination therapy to lower that S.F.

Praying all the best for you. :pray

Take care, Allah Hafiz!
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: pianjy on May 22, 2007, 08:28:23 AM
Hi for everybody from Spain.

My ferritin level is between 200-300.

I use desferal with pump.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: fairytale on May 23, 2007, 08:34:24 PM
Hi guys,

my feritin level is around 1700  ??? :( :( :(

I've had an mri 7 years ago which showded that i had a lot of iron on my liver and a little on my heart.  Lately i've been pumping pretty regularly so im hoping to drop it ever more.  This website has really given me motivation and courage.

Thank to everyone  :love :love :love :love :love :hug :hug :happydance :grouphug :grouphug
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: miltswifey on June 28, 2007, 05:13:39 PM
Unfortunately my level is 2600. I wish i could be at 500 wow that's pretty good. Does anyone know of a diet i can follow to reduce or delete my iron intake?
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: miltswifey on June 29, 2007, 03:48:04 AM
Unfortunately mine is 2600 right now. Must be due to all those cheeseburgers:). I just started taking exjade about 2 months ago and instead of going down it went up. It was 2400 before exjade. No more red meat for me!!!
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Eponine on November 26, 2007, 06:08:40 PM
3,0 g Desferal... 7 day/week ... in 10 hours with  my pump...

Its amazing that you can do it 7x a week. Doesnt the site hurt? Where do you rotate the sites? I only do it on my tummy and at my most obedient phase, I did it 6x a week for 2 weeks and I had to stop for a while because my whole tummy hurts. Seen people doing it on arm but.... I cant bring myself to do it there...
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Eponine on November 26, 2007, 06:11:27 PM
Unfortunately my level is 2600. I wish i could be at 500 wow that's pretty good. Does anyone know of a diet i can follow to reduce or delete my iron intake?

Hi Miltswifey

If you are doing your transfusion regularly and your HB isn't too low, then your intake of dietary iron should be the least of your concern actually. Body doesn't absorb much iron through food if you are well transfused.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Smurfette on November 27, 2007, 04:35:39 AM
Well my ferritin went down to a low 152 and that is only with L1 (deferiprone)

Now at the moment its sitting at the 300 something mark...

I havent used my pump in over a year or so...Not much liver iron either nor any in my heart..I have been using my pump previously for 29 yrs...

:)
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Eponine on November 27, 2007, 08:15:32 AM
Well my ferritin went down to a low 152 and that is only with L1 (deferiprone)

Now at the moment its sitting at the 300 something mark...

I havent used my pump in over a year or so...Not much liver iron either nor any in my heart..I have been using my pump previously for 29 yrs...
:)

OK, I am soooo jealous... 
But :yay for you. =D
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Smurfette on November 27, 2007, 11:13:05 PM
DONT BE JEALOUS....ITS BEEN LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG AND HARD WORK FOR ME TO GET MY FERRITIN DOWN THIS LOW..

I AM SURE THAT YOU  CAN GET IT DOWN LIKE THAT..WITH PERSEVERENCE AND STRENGTH..

Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: red on November 28, 2007, 09:28:06 AM
i choose thighs over wings!
meaning, my injection site has been in my upper leg atleast a foot above my knee and up.
yup.
i stopped the stomach bit when i was probably 11 or so..wanted to start working on them abs early
uh..as for pains..jumping in a steaming shower really helps, i mean..just like..stand there for 2 hours.
(sorry al gore)
or..just compress..meaning, dip a towel in hot water and place it on your injection site...it really helps..
i've never placed it in my arms either Eponine..i flail around too much
plus it'll go in muscle..eeee
i kinda have a cool method for putting in the pump too..and it NEVER hurts! NEVER!  and i never get bumps or redness or itching or nothing! NOTHIN'!

so here goes.......
*1st things first..i rotate wings..i mean thighs sorry..so one leg one night and one the other night..
(oh..p.s-i do the pump 7 days a week)
*then i kinda feel around for sore spots..u know..spots that u know are still tryin to be healed from a previous needle encounter..so i steer clear from 'em..dont go close to those..i try and stay away atleast 2 1/2 inches away from those sites. but in general..i try and feel for 'fleshy areas'..areas that kinda bounce or feel soft when you touch it..as opposed to being kinda stiff when you touch it.  dont worry..you'll find fleshy areas.
*then..after your detective work..kind of grab that chunk of your body (sorry..no other way to put it)..BUT not TOO hard, like dont crucially pinch it or anything, just kinda slightly squeeze it just so it kinda makes a little hill. (i say this is a crucial part of injecting yourself, because the harder you pinch it, the more your body will get irritated and the needle going in will hurt, so ya gotta be gentle :)  )
*then, with the needle, i just slightly touch the end point of the needle to my skin..i dont even try to penetrate it through my skin or anything.not just yet...i DEFINETLY dont just pop it in there (like you know..1, 2, 3 POP!)...nooo...i think thats a big thing of what causes the massive bumps and pains. BUT,,at this point, if i feel it stinging ALOT, i know that thats a clear indication that the site is irritated..and there is no questions asked..i'm gonna look for another site at that moment..that site is forgotten till another time. 
*then, once i've found a good site that doesnt hurt when i press the needle to my skin..then i know its gonna be an easy one.  so then when site found, and with needle on skin, i kinda wiggle it a little,..and it'll go through anyway because the needle is so small anyway that its NOT gonna take that much work.
*once halfway in, i STILL dont just shuve the needle in there, (and i dont know what kinda needles are out there ..but i'm generally used to seeing needles that have two/one grips on the top..you know kinda like 'butterfly' or something..even when i didnt have the butterfly and i had the round dot looking one with the sticky on the bottom, i could still do this next step)
so..i then, wiggle the two grips around to eachother, ok..lets see if i can paint a clearer picture of this..i grab the butterfly wingies or whatever and i squeeze them together slightly and kinda move them up and down eachother to create a friction between them...this causes the needle to wiggle its way down the skin tissue while YOU still maintaing a certain CONTROL of whats going on IN your skin...meaning, the needle kinda adapts to the skin and the skin adapts to the needle in this process..therefore, the skin gives way, and the needle then goes in very smoothly without any pain.the needle's basically like, really happy with you, cuz you know, the needle is like spoiled and stuff. :bored
*then, i just kinda rest my hand ontop of the needle, when it's in the site, and with my OTHER HAND i go ahead and place that ontop of my hand thats on the needle and then, i push that hand down with the hand ontop of it.  so basically, i push down the hand thats on the needle.  but do this with palms open! so it will be gentle.  the key is gentleness! now you may ask..WHY should i push my hand down with my other hand?..well, if you push down with just one hand it'll be more force cuz you'll have to work harder, but with both hands, it kinda gives this balance to your whole body and makes the force more gentle, controled, and less shakey. the needle thats in there doesnt wanna get scared now, it'll be like..what the heck is going on up there! and it'll start freaking out and doing all types of crazy shenanigans! one of my needles got like real mad cuz i used one hand one time, and like, threw a keg party. wasnt fun.  anway so yeah..push down gently..this also gives the skin and the needle in it, heat, and also is the extra assurance that ur needle is in there safe and sound and comfortable. :)

ANYWAY>>SORRY FOR THE THESIS>>JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU ANY HELP I COULD :)

Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on November 28, 2007, 11:41:04 AM
Hey Red,

Thanx for sharing, you stated all this in a funny kind of way  :biggrin

ZAINI.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Eponine on November 28, 2007, 04:12:59 PM
haha yeah! Would be great if you could do a video on it.. hee had to like imagine so hard to visualise your words.

Thanks for the help... and the really funny explanations. Still apprehensive about doing other areas other than tummy... sigh...
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on November 28, 2007, 05:00:32 PM
Hi Red,

So what you're saying is that using the needles is a finely tuned art.  :rotfl

Thanks for another unique and entertaining post. By the way, your technique does work, as I have heard a similar technique described by one of the older patients I know (but with a nowhere near as enjoyable to read description).

Keep up the great posts. You're giving an interesting perspective on a lot of important issues that confront thals. Lisa would've loved your approach. No matter how tough things were and no matter how much pain she had, Lisa would always crack a joke.  :biggrin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: red on November 28, 2007, 07:37:40 PM
 :urwelcome   :hugfriend
Anything i can do to help!
Epinone, a vid sounds rad, thanks for the awsome suggest!
And thanks for the words of encouragement again Andy!

Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: red on November 29, 2007, 08:28:55 AM
aah..my bad..
do the hand press down thing, AFTER the tape is on over everything.
sorry, should've stated that.
 :shy
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: §ãJ¡Ð ساجد on November 29, 2007, 09:04:13 AM
Hi Red,

That was really Different

I really liked it as I'm also a slow go'er and like to do it really slow with total control (and probably hold my breath throughout the process :biggrin )
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: red on November 29, 2007, 06:29:27 PM
yeah! hahah ........ or ..  :whistle HAH
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: asim_aziz on November 30, 2007, 04:41:30 PM
@red thanks that was nice of you to share your experience with us...  so when are you making the video?
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: red on December 01, 2007, 07:42:24 AM
anytime asim!

i'm kinda brainstorming on the vid..

but i'm debating whether or not i should make it a cartoon, or a real life/graphic animation vid?!?

what would you guys rather see?..  :smiley
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Eponine on December 03, 2007, 12:15:43 PM
Awesome!! So looking forward to your videos...
After more than 20 years of Desferal, you would think that I'd be an expert... still freeze sometimes when the needle reaches my skin. Then I would tense up and it would hurt like crazy....
Would like to see how you do it with the video.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Laura on September 17, 2008, 11:38:24 AM
Hello,

In my last analysis it was 1400 but before Exjade it reached the 6000. It was awful, I had the desferal regularly but it couldn't make my ferritine to go down. I'm taking Exjade since August 2007 and now I'm always between 900 and 1800 (they analyse the ferritine each time I have a blood transfusion).

Do you have any special diet with less iron? I'm asking for one but my doctor says that is not what makes my ferritin go up and down.

Thanks.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: §ãJ¡Ð ساجد on September 17, 2008, 02:36:13 PM
Hi Laura,

Your doctor is probably right as the iron in diet is insignificant compared to the iron that you get from your blood transfusions.

With proper chelation you can eat anything in moderate amounts once in a while. Just don't get into the habit of eating iron rich diet too frequently.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Annie on September 18, 2008, 08:54:07 AM
hello
my ferritin level is almost 700 now but 7 or 8 year ago it reached at 26,000 and i was hospitalized
for 3 months.and now i m suffering from heart problem.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on September 18, 2008, 12:07:24 PM
HI All :
my ferritin is [bgcolor=#130000]2902[/bgcolor][/color] now and my highest ferritin level was , A little above [bgcolor=#e1ff00]13121[/bgcolor] last year ....
i had never hospitalized for ferritin .. my doctor wanted to admit me  when my level were that much high .... but i promised her that i will controle it .. and i will start chelation at home ...

UMAIR
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Lyanne on September 19, 2008, 03:29:08 AM


   Hi! everyone. I have more than 1000 as a ferritin level  before but I have no idea now I still have to check it again....... I was on two different chelation therapy but now I'm into Desferal only. Using the needles Andy gave to me and my old good pump....... I do hope it went down coz I don't want to develop any complications.  :wink
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on October 31, 2008, 10:35:54 AM
My ferritine is around 2400 at the moment.....it's going up because I started with Exjade a month ago.....

For a diet with less iron. The Iron Disorder Institute has published a book called Cook(ing) with less iron: http://www.irondisorders.org/Store/

You can also find their books on amazon. I'm trying to order one of their books at the moment. My father has an unidentify (spelling) type of hemochromatose. I dont know how it is with thal, but pk-deficiency patients also takes too much iron of their food. We got
primary and secundary hemochromatose.

p.s. I am sorry for my English at the moment :$
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Sharmin on October 31, 2008, 02:42:43 PM
Dore,

Your English is great:)

Thank you for the information regarding the book - it should be very helpful.

Sharmin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: helenkol on October 31, 2008, 07:53:32 PM
It was 796 in my last analysis

 :spit + :nurse
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: sahil on November 03, 2008, 06:38:55 PM
Latest report says 465ng/ml. Its been two months am off chelation.


\peace/
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on November 03, 2008, 11:34:09 PM
Sahil, you are an inspiration :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :yahoo :yahoo :yahoo

manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on November 04, 2008, 11:48:20 AM
Latest report says 465ng/ml. Its been two months am off chelation.


\peace/

Wow,that must be a relief.Were you on Asunra or desferal?

Zaini.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: sahil on November 04, 2008, 02:07:16 PM
I was on combination (Desferal and Kelfer) for 3 years. Then when the S.Ferritin was 337ng/ml I started off with Asunra (I shouldn't have started though). I was on Asunra for 3 months. The lowest S.Ferritin being 279ng/ml.

And yeah it is a relief. Cause I was damn scared when my S.Ferritin was 9000ng/ml three and a half years back.


\peace/
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on November 04, 2008, 04:44:29 PM
We have afew members whose ferritin levels were very high once,and then they lowered it down with compliance,but when the ferritin is that high,it causes organ damage right? so my question is once ferritin level is lowered,is this damage reversible,i mean once ferritin gets low,the damage occured to organs while ferritin was very high,repairs itself? I hope i am making sense  :huh.

Zaini.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Sharmin on November 04, 2008, 04:48:26 PM
Zaini,

That is a great question, and organ damage can be reversed considerably with chelation.  Also, the use of antioxidants can help with this process.

Sharmin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on November 04, 2008, 10:31:16 PM
Dr. Wood in Singapore said that heart failure could be reversed after getting rid of the loaded iron

manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on November 05, 2008, 12:21:01 AM
Organ damage can be reversed through aggressively chelating iron and adopting a program intended to prevent any recurrence of iron overload. There is a lengthy report in our documents section that explores where we are today in terms of addressing the issue of iron overload in the heart and what can be done to reverse the iron overload and restore the heart to normal function. This document should be brought to the attention of any hospital or doctor that is treating cardiac failure in thalassemics, as the protocol for treating cardiac failure in thalassemia is significantly different than it is in non-thals. If this protocol is followed, many lives will be saved, because the damage is reversible and so is cardiac failure when approached in a timely manner and this protocol is followed. This is extremely important. 

http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php?topic=1451.0

Quote
Treatment of iron induced cardiomyopathy requires close follow-up and significant effort until the patient is stabilised. If the patient survives the acute phase, the potential reversibility of heart injury by heart iron removal promises an outcome better than that seen in the past in such situations and may be better than that seen with other causes of cardiomyopathy with equivalent clinical severity in the general population (29). However as Hippocrates stated, it is better to prevent than to cure. Today the great challenge in TM patients is to achieve even better results in preventing heart injury.

I would like to add to this that part of every thalassemic's treatment program should include helping themselves through the constant use of supplements, including the very important antioxidants. The amount of damage to the organs caused by iron can be reduced through the use of supplements that can protect your cells.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: hala on November 07, 2008, 03:14:19 AM
my son's ferritin level is 1500.he has been on desferal for about 2 years now.it was around 2200 when we started using the pump and we hope to reach a lower level soon
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Sharmin on November 07, 2008, 03:17:05 AM
Welcome Hala  :welcome,

How old is your son?  1500 is a pretty good ferritin, but you are right the lower you can get it the better:) 

We look forward to reading more of your posts,

Sharmin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on November 07, 2008, 07:36:17 AM
Hi Hala,

Welcome on the forum,ferritin of 1500 is not that bad for a 13 year old,but the lower the better,goal should be below thousand,since he has sickle cell,how often is he transfusing?

Zaini.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: hala on November 08, 2008, 04:03:38 PM
hi sharmin
my son will be 13 next april,he started desferal in march 2006 and doing ok at the moment.the thing is i thought his iron level would drop lower by now.is it normal/
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: hala on November 08, 2008, 04:11:00 PM
hi Zaini,
he has been getting regular transfusions every 4 weeks since Nov 06.before that he had a few transfusions when his HB goes too low(around 30) had his spleen removed at 4 years of age
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on November 08, 2008, 04:24:31 PM
Hi Hala ,
 :welcome to the forum .
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: hala on November 09, 2008, 04:04:42 AM
Hi nice Friend.thanks for the welcome .i  hope to hear good news about you always.NICE POEM!!!!
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Sharmin on November 09, 2008, 06:13:38 AM
Hala,

Your son is a very handsome boy:)  You have done an excellent job in decreasing his ferritin with desferal. 

The rate at which iron levels increase is much quicker than the rate at which they drop.  1500 is a decent iron level for a chronically transfused patient, remember also that you have to weigh iron levels against desferal toxicity. 

It is helpful to increase the duration of desferal chelation in decreasing iron levels while keeping the same dose. Your doctor may decide to have the desferal diluted so that you can run it an extra hour each day - or so that you can add another day of the week for desferal. 

Remember, the desferal is dealing with removing the stored iron as well as the iron coming in each month therefore sometimes with the current dose you may run into an equilibrium where the ferritin levels remain within a certain range.   Increasing the duration may bring your son's ferritin into a lower range.

Best of luck,

Sharmin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Smurfette on November 09, 2008, 07:56:45 AM
First of all I would like to welcome Hala to the group...

Everyone I have met Hala and she is a very lovely person... So is her adorable son..He is cute..

A shy but very active and strong boy..who has a lovely voice...  :hugfriend

Keep on the good work your doing with your son Hala...

And I'll see you at the christmas picnic now..

Take care...
Theodora
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on November 10, 2008, 10:34:46 PM
Quote
qoute to Hala
Hi nice Friend.thanks for the welcome .i  hope to hear good news about you always.NICE POEM!!!!
Hi Hala ,
thanx for liking the poem . i will try my best to bring good News to share with you and all of thalpal members ....

best regards
Take care
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: jlayarta on December 17, 2008, 08:41:47 AM
hi, i've posted my problems on thalasemia major section, but i'm a bit surprised about yours feritin, since mine was never below 3000, and last week result was 9000, and i'm using desferal injection for 13 years now (since i was 7th) and now i'm 20. the doze was 4 bottle of 500mg desferal, taken 6 days a week.

what have i done wrong? and i've see posted about feroprox and exjade, is there another oral medicine to remove iron from our body? and at what cost? just yesterday i've been told 500mg / tablet can cost me @ 60 dollars Singapore.


please give me some information.

thank you.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Lena on December 17, 2008, 06:41:47 PM
Hi jlayarta,
 Welcome. You must increase desferal dosage or start ferriprox together with desferal. I do not want to be harsh on you but 9000 is too high. 30 years ago when I first started desferal my ferritin was 8000. I am trying now to maintain my ferritin level at about 100.
If you increase desferal dosage your ferritin will be dropped. You should enter an aggressive chelating scheme:You can even try 8-10 desferal vials in 60 ml water of injection.I did that when my ferritin level reached 1500 and in 3 months it dropped to 45, along with ferriprox of course.Of course, this is what my doctor has given me.I do not know about yours.Some doctors follow less aggressive schemes.
Discuss new scheme with your doctor. But do you pay for desferal? because here our insurance health system pays for it.Anyway.
Try to increase dosage, if your doctor allows it.Andy has posted the desferal dosage you must take according to your body weight. I think it is in" iron chelation corner".You will see better results.
Good luck.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: jlayarta on December 19, 2008, 06:25:45 AM
Hi jlayarta,
 Welcome. You must increase desferal dosage or start ferriprox together with desferal. I do not want to be harsh on you but 9000 is too high. 30 years ago when I first started desferal my ferritin was 8000. I am trying now to maintain my ferritin level at about 100.
If you increase desferal dosage your ferritin will be dropped. You should enter an aggressive chelating scheme:You can even try 8-10 desferal vials in 60 ml water of injection.I did that when my ferritin level reached 1500 and in 3 months it dropped to 45, along with ferriprox of course.Of course, this is what my doctor has given me.I do not know about yours.Some doctors follow less aggressive schemes.
Discuss new scheme with your doctor. But do you pay for desferal? because here our insurance health system pays for it.Anyway.
Try to increase dosage, if your doctor allows it.Andy has posted the desferal dosage you must take according to your body weight. I think it is in" iron chelation corner".You will see better results.
Good luck.

Hi lena, thanks for the welcome.

Yeah I'm planning to increase my desferal dosage, what about ferriprox? how good is that compared with desferal injection and exjade?... i know 9000 is too high, in fact in the past i've reached 15.000 - 20.000 when i was 13th years old.

i wonder whats the diet method? will diet helping me decrase the feritin level?

to be frankly I almost giveup about buying desferal or exjade / ferriprox in Indonesia.

thanks a lot for the response, i'll post the details in the right topic perhaps?
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on December 20, 2008, 12:12:52 AM
Hi jlayarta ,
 :welcome to the family buddy ,....
i hope this link will b helpful for you to understad wat to do ... its all abt me and my experience.. my ferritin dropped drasticaly in past few months .. you can see all the my story and chelation and treatment plan on this thread.... check it please.. ..
http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php?topic=1689.0;topicseen

once again :welcome to you  and wihc you the luck to find yor answers of ur concerns here on thalpal ....

Best Regards
Take Care
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Poirot on January 08, 2009, 09:32:50 AM
My latest Ferritin levels are 95-125 (tested 4 different times/places)!!!

So, I went to the doc to ask if I should be cutting back on Kelfer dosage - and he says NO!
First, let us see the actual iron concentration in the liver and heart - so, I am off to being inserted in a closed drawer again (which I absolutely hate) to get my T2/T3 results.

Poirot
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on January 08, 2009, 01:14:41 PM
My latest Ferritin levels are 95-125 (tested 4 different times/places)!!!

So, I went to the doc to ask if I should be cutting back on Kelfer dosage - and he says NO!
First, let us see the actual iron concentration in the liver and heart - so, I am off to being inserted in a closed drawer again (which I absolutely hate) to get my T2/T3 results.

Poirot

Be glad you have that option. My hospital don't have that stuff. Five years ago they gave me a port-a-cath*. They never noted which one i have, but i can't have a mri-scan since.  :whyme

* = other hospital
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Poirot on January 10, 2009, 07:21:48 AM
Be glad you have that option. My hospital don't have that stuff. Five years ago they gave me a port-a-cath*. They never noted which one i have, but i can't have a mri-scan since.  :whyme

Well yes, you are right in a way - but, i still hate the MRI drawers! I believe that GE is now introducing standing MRI machines in the US - if they work, that would be brilliant.

Why can you not use MRI if you have had a port-a-cath? Did it leave any metal in the body?
Also, have you looked up SQUID - whether you could use that?

Cheers
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: diskjockey on February 01, 2009, 01:11:27 PM
highest score 4500 :bighug :hi5boys :yahoo :clap :clap :yaaaaaay :yay :stars :nana :nana :party :party :love :lol :bighug :woot

Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on February 01, 2009, 01:33:07 PM
congrats Buddy , for getting a high mark of ferritin .. i
but plz now reduce it , and take it below 1000 ...

Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on February 01, 2009, 02:35:17 PM
I will hear my new results at 13th february. I decided to have a blood transfusion in the 4th week. Overconfident, yes. I got the same day a meeting with the doc. I will act very brave in the next two weeks to survive this survival.  :rolleyes

Ahmed, good luck with chelation!!!!! (ps my msn act very silly and i got "a friend" who "talks" with me (interrogate for my other ex friends) She just ask me of my dad will survive the cancer. How dumb can you be to dare to ask that? I did not tell it here the latest stories, but things dont look good. I am sorry, but I can not forgive someone when you ask that. That is why i left msn abruptly ahmed. The nxt time i will explain my disease better than writing here my frustratings.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Sharmin on February 01, 2009, 09:39:51 PM
Dore,

I hope that you are able to go 4 weeks without requiring tx.  I am also sorry to hear that your dad has been going through a tough time.  I hope that his condition improves very soon and I will keep you and your father in my prayers. 

Best,

Sharmin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on February 02, 2009, 03:16:38 PM
Thank you Sharmin  :hugfriend

My father will have an other blood test in two weeks (i guess) and we will hear the results the other week. Then they will do a PET-scan. They wanted to do this scan two weeks back, but my father did not want to have one because my two weeks of exams started at that time. We'll see. It can not be skin cancer, so i still hope the tests were invalid.
I dont think I will go to 4 weeks forever. I know I must not be to enthusiast.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on February 02, 2009, 07:35:24 PM
Hi Dore,
 :goodluck for your father's PET-Scan :goodluck

Best Regards
Take CAre
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on February 03, 2009, 03:04:17 AM
Dore,

                         (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_beLwiHNZl8A/SPFs_rLrQ3I/AAAAAAAAASQ/zqvl51poZnk/s320/good-luck.jpg)


Zaini.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on February 03, 2009, 08:59:55 AM
Thank you :)

Btw instead of Superbowl I watched the men final of the Australian Open! Finally my dad told me that I can buy a ticket for the 36th ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, NL. Federer is not coming so I will go to one. I cant wait untill they announce the program. I want to see Rafa and not Djokovic.... I see he is not coming, but I want only see how Nadal and his opponent are playing  :boogie  So dad told me yesterday that I must go today to the local hospital to let them check my hgb....  :biggrin ..... it starts 9th feb; monday  One can't fall in sleep with a ticket of €70... :)
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on February 04, 2009, 11:38:18 PM
Wishing your dad and you all the luck :hugfriend. Please keep us updated

manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on February 05, 2009, 01:57:53 PM
I will do that.I dunno when his appointments are, so I will wait untill i found out. Tomorrow I will hear mine new results and I can not wait, but I am so scared that the ferritin wont be decreased.... :boredom I think the ALAT, ASAT and creatine will still be blocked because doc must seen them first. I have an appointment with him the other friday (next week). I wanted to buy some food for tomorrow in the hospital. When my hgb is this low I need some extra food in stead of the bread with cheese from the hospital. Things are a way too expensive in that area.. I can not go because it's raining (bike) and I dunno waht do buy. Owh, about the tickets. I think that dad want me to go to one; tickets are only €18 or €24 and for the final €44  :grin Now I need a plan to convince my parents. Things will be very difficult, because there is still school for me and work for my mother. To confess: I never go out, so I think it is allowed to go out for one time...
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on February 05, 2009, 04:03:55 PM
Hi Dore ,
Wishing You and your Father all the best for health and everything , may God bless you and your father with good health and everything that you need ....

Take Care
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on February 08, 2009, 10:14:08 AM
OK, here we go:

Oh my flurry. Some resultis are missing. The results of the first tx of 2009. I will give you the latest Dec 2008 update

22th Dec:   2354
4th feb:     2359

I have been a bit naugthy since then. I started to eat more red meat to eat while I had problems to eat. I always increased my fruits intake. To be short: Saturday I will increase my dosage of Exjade to 1375mg. *The way back home is always long, but if you keep close I am holding on* Thank you, Dore
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on February 08, 2009, 10:21:09 AM
Dore, i think that you will start seeing decreased levels of ferritin when you reach the 30mg/kilo dosage. Good luck Dore :hugfriend

manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on February 08, 2009, 01:55:59 PM
Dore,

Good part is that your ferritin level is not increasing,i know not decreasing can be annoying,but as Manal said you'll see a positive change soon  :goodluck

Zaini.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on February 08, 2009, 04:40:12 PM
Thank you both :) . Since two weeks I take 30mg/kg, but my weight is swinging a lot. Yes, it really annoys me. It may sound strangem but reading books really helps me. Books make me able to create my own fantasy world and let me forgot anything. I am on Exjade for 6 months now. I had a meeting with my counsellor and I talked with her about my situation. It was finished and then she said I am sure it will be done in a couple of months. I tried to say that it wont work like that, but she had no brain cells left for that.  :doh (She is 28 btw, so there might be hope, sorry.).
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Sharmin on February 08, 2009, 05:12:16 PM
Dore,

Best of luck getting your ferritin levels down.  Actually, your ferritin levels right may not reflect your iron levels - it may reflect the level iron that has been released from your organs.  For that reason, I think that the ferritin levels are quite good.  You may see a sudden drop in SF in the future when it is all excreted.  I also wish your councelor luck in getting new brain cells  :biggrin

Sharmin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on February 08, 2009, 05:15:03 PM
Si, that is something that I forget the whole time. Silly me! I am sure that is what happening and it is a very good thing.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on February 22, 2009, 04:40:56 PM
A good a question:

By patients with hemochromatosis they check the:
*ferritin
*transferrin(e)
* serum iron
*TSAT% or is that TIBC?


Let me try it:
"Serum iron" measures the amount of circulating iron that is bound to transferrin.  Iron and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) are measured together to identify how much iron is being carried in the blood.

"Transferrin" represents "iron in transport."  Transferrin is found in blood.  Normally it is 25-35% saturated with iron.

"TIBC" or "total iron binding capacity" is a measurement of all the proteins available for binding free iron in the body.  Increased TIBC may indicate iron deficiency anemia. 

"Ferritin" is "iron in storage"

Question: Do they ever measure more than ferritin by persons who are getting lifesaving transfusions? (by visitors of these forums)

In my case we are almost sure that I got hemochromatosis one and two. But they only measure my ferritin. This time I got the lab paper at home so I can look at all tests which are on the paper. My dad has hemochromatosis, but he has not any gene (C282Y for example)  of hemochromatosis one and never had a transfusion in his life. But they do always a full iron panel from him. I know it is because he is plebbing, but I sometimes wonder why they do not do it with me. Unnecessary information? Maybe, but I like facts.

Dore
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on February 22, 2009, 05:54:18 PM
Dore,

Because high ferritin levels in transfused patients already indicate iron overload, these other iron tests are not necessary. Instead, an analysis of the real iron load, using methods like MRI, SQUID and T2* are used to determine the true iron load. In non-transfuing patients, the complete iron panel is used to determine if and why anemia or iron overload conditions occur. In your father's case, the iron panel is used to determine when he should do a blood-letting (phlebotomy) to reduce his iron.

If you also have mild hemochromatosis it does explain your inability to lower your ferritin to the level you would like to see, as you have to deal with iron overload from transfusions and absorption in the intestines.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on February 23, 2009, 01:08:24 PM
Dore,

Because high ferritin levels in transfused patients already indicate iron overload, these other iron tests are not necessary. Instead, an analysis of the real iron load, using methods like MRI, SQUID and T2* are used to determine the true iron load. In non-transfuing patients, the complete iron panel is used to determine if and why anemia or iron overload conditions occur. In your father's case, the iron panel is used to determine when he should do a blood-letting (phlebotomy) to reduce his iron.

If you also have mild hemochromatosis it does explain your inability to lower your ferritin to the level you would like to see, as you have to deal with iron overload from transfusions and absorption in the intestines.

Thank you Andy. I know I got double trouble with getting the fe down. I have not had any of those tests in the last 10yrs, but there is light that the t2* will be done in the summer. So somehow they should have test that. Let we make I deal. I will restart posting in this topic when my fe is under 2000. ;)
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Sharmin on February 23, 2009, 03:42:23 PM
Dore,

Make sure that whoever does your T2* has proper software and experience with the test. 

In July/08 my son had a T2* in Oakland and then the test was repeated here in Canada a few days later to see if we were able to get the same results.  There was a difference between the results as the test in Oakland found no elevated iron levels in his heart, but the one done in Canada found slightly elevated iron levels in his heart.  We are hoping that over time the test here can be calibrated such that patients here can have it done, because it is not possible for all patients to travel to Oakland every 6 months or even every year. 

Sharmin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on March 21, 2009, 09:52:17 AM
Update

In February I have had 3 blood transfusions and yesterday I had my first for March. At the second transfusion I had a ferritin of 2386.......now I got a ferritin of 1534!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still can not believe it. When I found out I yelled through the room of chemo's (and tx). I am so happy. I was very, very ill yesterday, but it's all worth!!!

 :veil :party

Today I will make a lil trip with my mother by car through the sun, because we have had an invitation to celebrate Iran New Year. And dad promised me to take out for dinner (*****) when it came under 2000.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on March 21, 2009, 02:07:04 PM
Dore, congratulations my friend...way to gooooooooooo, i am soooooooo happy for you, keep up the good work.
manal
(http://www.giftoflife.org/cards/amit-congratulations-480.gif)
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Sharmin on March 21, 2009, 03:57:01 PM
That is wonderful Dore!!!

I am so happy!  Enjoy your celebrations!
(http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/ecards/CelebrationsEvents/congratulations.jpg)

Sharmin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on March 21, 2009, 07:48:07 PM
 :congrats Dore ,

Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on March 21, 2009, 09:12:17 PM

Hoera U deed het.




                                   (http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv301/mayn25/Congratulations-butterfly.gif)

Zaini.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: SF on March 22, 2009, 08:44:20 AM
After such a great news from Dore, I don’t want to spoil it (Congrats Dore!! :cheer), but here are my SF levels from last Thursday: 6068

My hb was a bit lower this time, 9.5. Just a reference, I’m in my mid 20s and weight 42-43 kgs.. I’d like to post some of my other results to keep track and keep you updated, where would be the best place to do so?

Andy, my ALT and AST levels were lower than before, so, looks like Nigella has already started working for me! Thank you and everyone else for all your advice on it.

One other thing I noticed on my report under morphology is a comment on “Giant Plts” would that be giant platelets? My platelet count was normal at 210. Would I be at a risk for clot/blockage in my bloodstream? I’ve actually not been paying attention to such comments, but noticed this comment was not there since at least Dec 5th, 2008. Other blood slide review comments were as follow:
Abnormal A, 5-20 nRBC/1….(didn’t get full comment on my report) and giant plts.

Andy and other members, do you have an idea what all this indicates? I have experienced palpitations in the last month, and my last transfusion was suboptimal in the way they transfused it and I didn’t feel too good for a couple of days after that. One other note on my results: I saw possibly the biggest ever drop in my hgb levels. They went from 15 to 9.5 in 4 weeks – 2 days. On average, my hb drops about 1.1-1.3 unit in a week. This was a bit larger drop in hb. I also felt extra fatigued the last 3-4 days before trans.

I did not see my hematologist this time, and just noticed the comment on giant plts now, which is kinda worrying me. I’d appreciate any comments on it.

Thanks a bunch!
SF
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on March 22, 2009, 08:56:02 AM
Hi SF ,
as far as i know Heart palpitation is a Sign/symptom of Iron overload in heart ...
although i m an old member but i dont know much about interprating/reading reports and kind of stuff, i also dont know much abt thal :grin ...

Best Regards
Take Care
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on March 22, 2009, 09:21:45 AM
SF,

As far as i remember you are only on desferal right? i wish you can get L1 too,i know its not approved in US,you don't have any relatives in Pakistan who can send L1 to you,well your doctor will approve it or not that's another problem,but combination therapy is the best,Umair's ferritin levels were pretty bad too but he brought them down with combination therapy.I remember you said you used to have IV desferal too sometimes,that ought to bring your ferritin levels down,why are they elevating then ???

Zaini.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on March 22, 2009, 10:34:11 AM
SF ,
thats absolutely right wat Zaini Sis  mentioned about me , my S.fe was round abt 13200 before starting combination therapy ( last year in may ) , and ow my S.fe only 2060 that is great decrease , Deferiprone + Deferoxamine = Best Combination Therapy ... why FDA isn't approving Deferiprone , i never faced any of its side-effects , it working superb for me , i hope that it will be approved in US soon. ..

Best Regards
Take Care
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on March 22, 2009, 03:58:27 PM
Thank you all for your nice words. No worries SF. It is ok to ask you questions. I have been put on this aggressive way of deironing (trying several things) and after almost 6 years we are seeing this drop. I can not stop thinking about. I even found out that I started at the age of 6 years with chelation therapy. Indeed I am almost an employer since 18 year ;). It's a pity I still feel ill and very weak since the tx.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on March 22, 2009, 04:41:06 PM
SF,

Some possible causes of giant platelets are vitamin B-12 deficiency, folate deficiency and reticulocytosis. The lower than normal pre-transfusion Hb could be the cause of reticulocytosis, as the bone marrow becomes more active trying to compensate. So, the question is why has your Hb dropped more than normal during this period? Possible reasons are an antibody reaction or infection. This could be a temporary drop if you have had a cold or fever recently. The heart palps are of concern and could be related to iron load in the heart. Faithful chelation is the long term treatment for this, but with heart palps, it is very important that you are taking calcium and magnesium together, along with vitamin D. Calcium imbalance can contribute to palps if you are not also taking magnesium. The two minerals control either side of the heart beat and if you take calcium without magnesium it can lead to palps.

Even though Ferrirpox is available in the US under a special program, it is not available as part of combination chelation. It is only available to those who have shown an intolerance to both desferal and Exjade. This will change once Ferriprox is approved, but until then, you must be aggressive with desferal if you wish to lower your ferritin level. There is some chance you may find a doctor willing to allow both desferal and Exjade together, even though it 9is not officially approved in combination. However, the fact that some patients like Masuma in Texas have been able to use combination chelation with these drugs tells me that some doctors are willing to prescribe this when it is necessary. Masuma had a big scare, finding herself in the ICU with congestive heart failure but with aggressive chelation using desferal and Exjade, she turned things around completely. By the way, she is also originally from Pakistan.

You should continue to use the herbs and also pay special attention to supplements, especially B vitamins, calcium and magnesium, with vitamin D. And of course, you need to get your iron load under control. If you would like, I can also put you in touch with Masuma. She may be able to advise you about the combination chelation.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Poirot on March 23, 2009, 07:46:39 AM
Update

In February I have had 3 blood transfusions and yesterday I had my first for March. At the second transfusion I had a ferritin of 2386.......now I got a ferritin of 1534!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still can not believe it. When I found out I yelled through the room of chemo's (and tx). I am so happy. I was very, very ill yesterday, but it's all worth!!!

That is wonderful news, Dore!!! Congratulations!
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: SF on March 24, 2009, 06:42:43 AM
Umair & Zaini,
Thanks for your replies. Zaini, I used to get IV desferal when I had a port but I got it removed last year in July. Since then, I've been on the SubQ, and it's been hard to comply..

Andy,
Thanks for your explanation on the giant platelets. About the lower Hb count.. I just remembered that about 3 wks ago, I got a MCV4 vaccine that resulted in some fever and chills for 2-3 days post vaccination. Fever would have caused extra hemolysis.

When I go to OCH, I'll ask for L1. I know some thals are on it at OCH. I'll ask Dr. Vichinsky for it. I don't have an appointment set up yet. In the meantime, I'm trying to really be more aggressive about doing desferal than I have been in the past. I'm also thinking about going in for an IV desferal over a weekend in the next couple of weeks.

About Vitamins & Minerals, I have this Calcium + Vit D chewables with the following:

Vit D: 400 IU (100% DV) - in form of Chlecalciferol
Calcium: 600 mg (60% DV) - in form of Ca Carbonate
Magnesium: 40 mg (10% DV) - Mag Oxide and Magnesium Stearate
Zinc: 7.5 mg (50% DV)
Copper: 1 mg (50% DV)
Manganese: 1.8 mg (90% DV)
Boron: 250 mcg

Andy, I'd like to know if this would be something to start with. It instructs to take one tablet twice daily.. That would not give me enough Magnesium. I have looked up foods that have Magnesium but most of the foods rich in magnesium are, unfortunately, also rich in iron (spinach, okra, broccoli, nuts, etc)

I might want to hold off on exjade as I experienced many side effects when I was on it. For now, I'd do IV desferal over the weekends along with SubQ during the week and would also think about combo therapy with L1.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on March 24, 2009, 07:11:42 AM
SF,
Osteocare Chewable and Tablet's Formaul is same and fullfill's the RDA of Vit-D , Calcium, Magnessium and upto 67% zinc ... and also contained with other minerals .. for complete details check out these links ...
http://www.vitabiotics.com/Osteocare/chewable_formula.aspx
http://www.vitabiotics.com/Osteocare/tablet_formula.aspx

for sure :RDA = Recommended Daily Allowance ...

as for L1/Kelfer/Ferriprox  : Ferriprox is now available in Liquid form as well , Please check :
www.ferriprox.com

i m not experty of this site , soo, please Wait for Andy's reply and others too ...

Best Regards
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on March 24, 2009, 08:37:03 AM
SF,

I think you should start IV desferal again,until you can get L1.

I personally think that your calcium and Viatamin D intake is not enough,my 8 years old daughter was taking 600 IU vitamin D daily and still her test showed deficiency,i think you should be taking 1000 IU daily,a thal's body looses vitamins faster then a normal body,lets see what Andy has to say about that.

Your zinc intake is not enough either,you should be taking 20-25 mg zinc daily.

And start taking Vitamin E,Its a great antioxidant,but make sure that its natural not synthetic.

Zaini.


Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on March 24, 2009, 02:59:50 PM
I would suggest either switching altogether or adding a cal/mag supplement that has calcium and magnesium in no less than a 2:1 ratio. I like the trace minerals in the supplement you are now taking, so either keep that and use a cal/mag supplement also, like this one
https://www.puritan.com/calcium-supplements-001/cal-mag-citrate-007670?np=1
or switch to something like Osteocare. You should be getting a minimum of 1000 mg calcium and 500 mg magnesium daily.

Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on March 24, 2009, 03:04:04 PM
The oral Ferriprox solution is not yet available in the US. They're hoping for 2011-12 if the tabs are approved in the US.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: SF on March 26, 2009, 03:50:57 AM
Thanks Umair, Zaini, & Andy for all your suggestions. I'll get another brand of supplement to go with my current one while it lasts.. Once over, I'll look into switching.

Andy, do you know of any clinical trials/study in the US where the liquid L1 is being used? I know it's not approved, but docs may be using it in some clinical trials (just like the L1 tabs were being used in the US over the last couple of years)?  ???
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on March 26, 2009, 04:00:45 AM
We probably won't see any availability of oral Ferriprox solution in the US until Apo Pharma gains FDA approval for the tabs.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: SF on March 26, 2009, 04:02:18 AM
I see... Thanks, Andy!
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: sajid78 on April 25, 2009, 11:05:29 AM
aaaaaargh!
This is really frustating, I had my ferritin level down to as low as 300, however recently I had to increase the frequency of my transfusions. I am now receiving 3 units of blood every 2 weeks, because my pre transfusion hb was usually quite low. Now my pre transfusion hb is very good, however my Ferritin level has shot up dramatically to 2000.
I am also taking 12 tablets of ferriprox per day.
Any ideas on how to bring my Ferritin level down???
Preferably without taking Desferal!!!!
Maybe I should just go back to receiving less blood than before.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on April 25, 2009, 02:09:45 PM
Hi Sajid ,
 its nice to see you posting , i hope you will conteu this and will remain in-touch with us ... i hope you'll the answer for your Q really soon just wat a lil bit ...  well, if you dont want to start chelation with desferal then i think you've only 1 choice to get ride of your iron levels , and that is Asunra/Exjade of Novartis , its an oral chelator , daily once a day is its dosage .. please wait for some senior members to come in scene and reply to your questioon ... stay in-touch with us and keep posting , feel free to ask anyhing you wana know abt ....

Best Regards
Take Care
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on April 25, 2009, 04:14:15 PM
Hey Sajid,

Good to hear from you. How's life in the UK? (Sajid was one of the first thals I met at the old MSN group).

Short term, you should consider adding a couple nights per week of desferal. This would help with the immediate ferritin issue. Long term, you need to find out why your blood demands have risen. Is this caused by an antibody reaction? If so, has prednisone been tried yet? Also, make sure you're getting some supplemental help with B complex, vitamins D & E and maybe even a calcium/magnesium supplement.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: KHALIFA on April 25, 2009, 07:42:46 PM
Hi
 my son Abdulwahab F.level now is 500 without any drugs or desferal i think he used this high F. to build his body ... any comments  :huh
                               khalifa
                      state of kuwait
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on April 25, 2009, 11:51:39 PM
Congratulations Khalifa, that is really wonderful news

manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Sharmin on April 26, 2009, 12:21:29 AM
Khalifa that is great to hear.  Best wishes to Abdulwahab  :hugfriend :hugfriend

Sharmin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: SF on April 26, 2009, 01:10:15 AM
Sajid,
Welcome Back!!


Khalifa,
Depending on how long your son has been off of a chelator, the ferritin may or may not be accurate. In other words, it takes time to see effect of chelation or no chelation in serum ferritin. So, it may be that you just haven't seen the effect of not chelating, in the blood. May I ask why he's off of Desferal or any other chelator?

Otherwise, it is indeed a good news that your son is able to keep it that low without any chelators! Congrats!

Regards,
SF

Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on April 26, 2009, 01:19:05 AM
Khalifa's son is cured after a second bone marrow transplant and his ferritin has slowly dropped without any chelation or bloodletting. It was a very rough time for the boy for three years after the BMT, but now he is doing well.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on April 26, 2009, 03:16:53 AM
 :congrats Khalifa , for your son's Sucesful BMT and normal S.fe levels ..

Best Regards
take care
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: KHALIFA on April 26, 2009, 04:47:08 AM
Hi
   SF said (May I ask why he's off of Desferal or any other chelator?)
     actually after bone marrow transplant the Dr said it's no good to give him Desferal or any chelator because it's harmfull for the new bone marrow so i start give
him alot of black tea and alot of water to encrease the voliume of the urine ....and in the 30 of june 2009 it will be 4 years from the second transplant ( first transplant is failure),,,,,,
                                  khalifa
                           state of kuwait
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: SF on April 26, 2009, 06:06:08 AM
Khalifa,

Sorry, I wasn't aware of your son's history. Alhumdulillah, he's cured and he doesn't have to deal with DFO or any other chelators no more!!!... totally makes sense! I wish your son all the best in his life, Ameen!

Thanks Andy for pointing this out.

Best Regards,
SF
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Tedi on July 13, 2009, 04:27:56 PM
my last flevel is 1200
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on July 20, 2009, 09:31:14 PM
my last flevel is 1200

Congratulations!!!

As for me: It must be get around the 1500 again. I haven't take Exjade for a month, ok except 3 days. I planned to start Sunday, but I simply forgot to take it.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: laiba mukhtar on August 03, 2009, 11:09:27 AM
Hi!
my ferritine s 1081 at this time. i am on ferriprox and desferal.daily 10 tablets.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on August 03, 2009, 11:28:33 AM
Hi Pcg,
 :congrats on controling n maintaining S.Fe level under the good range ...  glad to see that thals in Pakistan are taking interest to keep their Fe level controled and to keep their selves well managed .. its gr8 na :) yes ofcourse it is ...

Best Regards
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on August 03, 2009, 03:00:02 PM
Laiba,

Thats really great to hear that your ferritin is quite good,keep up the good work  :thumbup

Zaini.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: laiba mukhtar on August 07, 2009, 10:43:36 AM
umair&zaini
               thanks for ur's appreciation  :smiley i am trying my best to bring my fe level to 500 or less.

take care
allah hafiz
laiba
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on August 07, 2009, 11:57:53 AM
 :)
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: anthony arisco on August 26, 2009, 08:49:06 PM
Hi Ya'll,
This is my first post and I am learning a great deal. Thank You .Does anyone know if Green or black tea can lower your ferrtin? Mine was 438 last month.

A.J.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on August 26, 2009, 09:35:11 PM
Hi A J and welcome to the site :wink i am happy to know that you are learning from the site :wink

Tea in general whether green of black inhibits iron absoarption from the diet, so it helps with the chelating medicines like desferal, exjade or kelfer/L1

Also there is other food supplements that combines with the iron free radicales and causes organ damge like IP6. IP6 is very effective with the chelating drugs and many of our members use it and find it good

manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Ironman on September 19, 2009, 05:34:51 AM
I think the high score is still mine: 4200+ :yahoo
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Lena on September 19, 2009, 05:43:12 AM

What will you do to get it down?
What are you doing now? I mean, what chelation are you on?

Lena.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: kenrlane on September 19, 2009, 05:44:16 AM
I am a new member looking for help with Thalassemia. My ferritin level is 25 and I desperately need to increase that level, but as yet I haven't found the right supplement that will work. The side effect of constipation can become so severe that I am unable to take iron supplements regularly. I also have RLS and the usual medications for that problem need a high ferritin level to work properly. I am seeing a hematologist regularly but, I am curious to know if anyone else has or had a problem similiar to mine and were able to treat it sucessfully.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Ironman on September 20, 2009, 02:12:19 AM
What will you do to get it down?
What are you doing now? I mean, what chelation are you on?

Lena.

High scores are meant to be high... :biggrin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on September 20, 2009, 10:55:49 AM
766  :yaaaaaay
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on September 20, 2009, 10:58:53 AM
High scores are meant to be high... :biggrin

Absolutely not! (lt's even bad as bad spelling!)
You gonna get this down. Life is so much better when it is getting down and staying that way. Believe me. To reach 766 costs me more than 14years. It's better to win the low levels with excellent speed!!

Do we got a deal?
 :high5
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: EMommy on September 20, 2009, 03:17:23 PM
Wow.....  My girls ferritin is obviously too high!
They are at about 1600 and almost 6000!
I am trying to be patient, but I can't help to worry as their mother.
The nurse practitioner told us that the goal is to maintain the level, not to decrease it.  In no uncertain terms, I told her that was not acceptable! 
Now that they are both on the highest dose possible for their weights, I will wait for a bit to see if their ferritin comes down. 
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on September 20, 2009, 03:25:34 PM
Hi Emommy,

I am also in waiting,for my daughter's ferritin to come down,her ferritin is around 1400,so lets hope for the best :thumbs.

Zaini.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Kathy11 on September 20, 2009, 10:19:49 PM
Welcome Kenrlane :welcome :welcome

I hope you find an answer to your questions and a solution to your worries.

there are already some answers in the discussion forum file. Please take time to browse through it.
I'm certain other members wil be able to assist you too.
Kathy
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: diskjockey on September 20, 2009, 11:06:57 PM
umair buddy remember i told u abt a person i met at blood transfusion centre located in  jail road and i also told u abt her achivement thant she got 1st or 2nd position in FSC.this pcjl1200 is that annonymous person.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Ironman on September 21, 2009, 12:45:38 AM
Absolutely not! (lt's even bad as bad spelling!)
You gonna get this down. Life is so much better when it is getting down and staying that way. Believe me. To reach 766 costs me more than 14years. It's better to win the low levels with excellent speed!!

Do we got a deal?
 :high5

No deal... I want to keep my record! :clap
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on September 21, 2009, 01:38:51 PM
Hi ya DJ ,
Buddy,
yeah , she secured 1st position again this year in  august .. i hope you will b able to find that post ... :grin

Best Regards
Take Care
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Bostonian_04 on September 22, 2009, 02:28:47 PM
Wow! Nice friend and Dore has done great job reducing their ferritin levels. Our 3yr old toddler is on chelation for last 1 year with desferal and her ferritin hovers between 1300 to 1500. Her hemo in Boston just recently increased the dose. As per him, at this young age we do not need aggressive chelation. is that right?
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on September 22, 2009, 04:46:04 PM
Hi Bostonian,

You're correct. At her age and with relatively low ferritin, it is more important to get her system used to the chelator so that it can eventually be raised to the more effective level. Make sure her diet includes plenty of antioxidants.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Bostonian_04 on September 24, 2009, 01:50:54 PM
Thanks you Andy for your reply. Your reply put us at ease about the chelation dose our daughter is getting now.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on October 22, 2009, 03:16:24 PM
Mine with up to 1000 again. I haven't taken it regular due illness. Now im ill again and taking anitibiotics, so I won't be suprise if it will go over the 100 again.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: EMommy on November 01, 2009, 04:53:46 PM
I have great news about my daughters' ferritin levels.  They both dropped over 1000 points last month.  I can't remember the numbers right now, but I will post them next time.

The most important thing to note is that we stopped putting their ExJade in the juice boxes after another member of this board reminded me that there is aluminum lining in the juice boxes.  Also, I put their juice in plastic cups and mixed them with plastic spoons.  The more I thought about the medicine and how it is supposed to bind to metals, the more it made sense NOT to get the medicine anywhere near any metal.  IT'S WORKING!

I don't understand why there are not clear statements in the medicine inserts stating to use the medicine with plastic products or something to that effect.

PS:  Did anyone read how chelation therapy is being used as part of a treatment therapy for autism?  Very interesting!
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on November 01, 2009, 05:02:02 PM
The use of chelation therapy with autism really does make me wonder about the connection between vaccines with mercury and autism. Many parents swear their children changed immediately after vaccinations but the medical establishment has been adamant in its refusal to condemn putting a toxic heavy metal into the bodies of babies. I am not convinced that any amount of mercury is safe.

I am happy to hear that your children are doing better. Metal containers can partially neutralize Exjade, so all contact with metal has to be eliminated.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on November 03, 2009, 06:07:04 PM
Tedi,

That's really good. Keep up the good work and get the liver iron a bit lower. Your program is working well.  :biggrin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Sharmin on November 03, 2009, 06:16:19 PM
Tedi,

That is great to hear:)  What method of chelation are you using? 

Sharmin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Lena on November 03, 2009, 06:32:27 PM

Tedi,


I've been meaning to ask you: did you start transfusions in Thessaloniki?
You keep up with the good work. A little more desferal perhaps to bring liver  iron down.

Lena.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Tedi on November 03, 2009, 06:43:34 PM
Hi Lena, i made some transfusion there, and when iam in Thessaloniki for a long time will make  more.
Sharmin, I make 5days per week DFO with vit.C.
Thank u Andy,Sharmin!
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on November 03, 2009, 09:28:56 PM
Hi ya teddi ,
gr8 to hear that ,, stay sticked with ur chelation plan :) ...


Best Regards
Take Care
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: laiba mukhtar on November 29, 2009, 08:38:39 AM
hi!
Now my ferritine level is 748.my last ferritine level was 1081.
 :smileblue
laiba mukhtar
Take care
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Tedi on November 29, 2009, 10:33:26 AM
hi!
Now my ferritine level is 748.my last ferritine level was 1081.
 :smileblue
laiba mukhtar
Take care
Very good! :yay
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on November 29, 2009, 11:08:59 AM
Glad to hear that Laiba :hugfriend thats the spirit :thumbsup .

Zaini.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on November 29, 2009, 12:36:20 PM
Some of you may heard it already, but for the ones who hasn't...
I received a great Fe report back: it's only 500 (498)!!  :happydance
Unfortunately I feel pretty poorly due meds and low hgb. It keeps dropping. this time it was only 8.1 However I never believed I would ever receive such fe report.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Lena on November 29, 2009, 06:48:43 PM

Laiba and Dore,

this is the news we all want to hear! Great job, you two! Well done!

Lena.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on November 29, 2009, 08:16:13 PM
hi!
Now my ferritine level is 748.my last ferritine level was 1081.
 :smileblue
laiba mukhtar
Take care

Well done Laiba! From now on it will get lower very quickly! :thumbs
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: sydneygirl on November 30, 2009, 03:36:30 AM
The use of chelation therapy with autism really does make me wonder about the connection between vaccines with mercury and autism. Many parents swear their children changed immediately after vaccinations but the medical establishment has been adamant in its refusal to condemn putting a toxic heavy metal into the bodies of babies. I am not convinced that any amount of mercury is safe.

I am happy to hear that your children are doing better. Metal containers can partially neutralize Exjade, so all contact with metal has to be eliminated.

Hi All,
I havent been keeping up on the site as ive had so many things been going on but i was reading back through previous posts & though this was interesting i have a son with autism,thanks for the post andy.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on November 30, 2009, 09:27:08 PM
Hi PCG12009 ,
 :congrats  ..  :)

Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Sharmin on December 01, 2009, 02:07:44 AM
Good Work!!

Sharmin
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: ginacappo on December 01, 2009, 04:06:10 AM
The ferritin level should be measured at least once a year I believe for thal major's.


I have been non-compliant for years and I am finally taking my medication every night. My ferritin level is over 5000 but hopefully now it will start dropping. As a Thal Major your ferritin level should be checked every other month never never once a yr. The only thing you should have done once a yr is a liver biopsy def. not ferritin level...
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: laiba mukhtar on December 01, 2009, 10:26:23 AM
hi!
thaks to all for encouraging me.i m trying my best to decrease my fe level more and more..
three years ago my fe level was 11000 and now i have brought it down to 748 with regular use of desferal and ferriprox.... :whew
i hope soon i will succeed to bring my fe level to 300 or 200.......... :smiley
laiba mukhtar
take care
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Lena on December 01, 2009, 05:54:40 PM
Laiba,


congratulations! You have brought it down from 11000 to 748 in three years' time, well, that is something to be proud of. Good work!
Of course, only combination therapy can bring it down so considerably.
When I started desferal-ferriprox combination I lowered it from 1500 to 45 within 5 months.

Lena.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on December 01, 2009, 06:36:58 PM
Hi Gina,

How long have you been taking Exjade? Are you on the full dose yet? 30 mg per kg body weight is required to get the ferritin dropping. 5000 is too high so we need to give you lots of support to help get it down.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Lena on December 01, 2009, 06:47:23 PM


Ferritin should be checked every month, heart and liver MRI once a year to re-determine chelation therapy.Heart ultrasound once a year and once every six months when having heart problems, bones density measure every year, glucose test once a year.

That's the common practice here. Now if it is followed by all...that's something to be questioned.

Lena.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: ginacappo on December 01, 2009, 07:05:37 PM
Hi Gina,

How long have you been taking Exjade? Are you on the full dose yet? 30 mg per kg body weight is required to get the ferritin dropping. 5000 is too high so we need to give you lots of support to help get it down.

I take 1500mg per day they said they are going to up my dose again soon but the max they will allow me is 2000mg per day which is 4 tablets. I know 5000 is to high however I have been non-compliant for a very long time and I just now decided to wake up and live. I have been through a lot of stress and hardship in my life and I gave up for a long time. Now I have decided to take the right path and not let my past effect me so hopefully its not to late and I can start feeling better. The Dr's told me I might have to go back on the desferral with exjade something I am not looking forward to but until ferriprox is available in the states thats what I must do.

I welcome any opinions and advice, Where I live I am the only Thal Major patient in the area and its hard for me because I have no support around and am so glad for sites like this...
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on December 01, 2009, 10:45:59 PM
Hi Gina,

If Exjade does cause you problems which force you back to desferal, you may be able to get Ferriprox through a compassion program. I know several people in the US who have been able to do that. Eileen at CAF may be able to help direct you if this does happen. You might also want to register with CAF. Hopefully, Exjade will do the trick and get your iron down. If at all possible, it would also be highly recommended if you could be seen at one of the Comprehensive Centers of Excellence in the US on an annual basis. They do a great job managing treatment programs and improving the quality of life of those with thalassemia.

Cooley's Anemia Foundation
330 Seventh Avenue, #900
New York, NY 10001
(800)522-7222
Fax: 212-279-5999

Patient Services Manager
Eileen Scott
eileen.s@cooleysanemia.org
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Waleed on December 01, 2009, 11:04:05 PM
gr8 achievement PCG ....  r u same laiba who took pos in inter exams ??? i read in dawn .. r u ???
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on December 02, 2009, 01:14:57 AM
ginacappo,

Keep up it up my friend,i am happy that you have decided to ''live'' cause you deserve it. We are all here to support you :hugfriend

manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on December 02, 2009, 05:54:22 AM
gr8 achievement PCG ....  r u same laiba who took pos in inter exams ??? i read in dawn .. r u ???

Waleed,

Yes she did take position in her exams, :yes you can see her pics in the gallery .
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: laiba mukhtar on December 02, 2009, 12:42:26 PM
hi
waleed
yes i m laiba mukhtar(pcg12009) as zaini has told u. :smiley :smiley
actually pcg is my college PUNJAB GROUP OF COLLEGES i think i should change my title name
laiba mukhtar
take care
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: olivia mary on December 03, 2009, 05:37:17 PM
Hi everyone,
Hope everyone is doing well. I just have a few questions, Olivia has been on Exjade for about a year now she was started on 375 mg daily. After seeing Dr. Singer in Aug. 2009, she recommended Olivia take 500 mg 4x's a week and 375 mg 3x's a week. So since doing so Olivia's ferritin has gone up and down in Oct. 2009 her ferritin level went from a 1400 - 900. Great!!!! Now, at her last visit her ferritin was back up to 1400. Her dr. was saying that if this becomes a trend that we will raise her exjade to 500mg 7 days a week. I know that the ferritin level is not the only way to measure iron and her squid showed a level of 4.4 ( not really sure what that measurement means ) but I was told that was good. Ok so my question is Do we have to be worried about iron overload at this point? What does that actually mean? How is it diagnosed? Olivia's hospital is supposed to be getting in a MRI machine that will measure the iron in her liver and heart. Should she be checked every 6 months? 
Thanks So Much
Kathleen
PS >>> Livi is 5 yrs old and 40 lbs Does 500 mg sound right for her age and weight?
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: ginacappo on December 03, 2009, 07:23:46 PM
Hi everyone,
Hope everyone is doing well. I just have a few questions, Olivia has been on Exjade for about a year now she was started on 375 mg daily. After seeing Dr. Singer in Aug. 2009, she recommended Olivia take 500 mg 4x's a week and 375 mg 3x's a week. So since doing so Olivia's ferritin has gone up and down in Oct. 2009 her ferritin level went from a 1400 - 900. Great!!!! Now, at her last visit her ferritin was back up to 1400. Her dr. was saying that if this becomes a trend that we will raise her exjade to 500mg 7 days a week. I know that the ferritin level is not the only way to measure iron and her squid showed a level of 4.4 ( not really sure what that measurement means ) but I was told that was good. Ok so my question is Do we have to be worried about iron overload at this point? What does that actually mean? How is it diagnosed? Olivia's hospital is supposed to be getting in a MRI machine that will measure the iron in her liver and heart. Should she be checked every 6 months? 
Thanks So Much
Kathleen
PS >>> Livi is 5 yrs old and 40 lbs Does 500 mg sound right for her age and weight?

kathleen,
The amount does sound right I weight between 125-130 and my Dr. told me I can go up to 4 pills a day which is 2000mg. Livi is only 5yrs old I say she has a great chance of keeping her iron down. I have Thal Major and didn't start on any chelation therpy until I was 16 so she is good. I am 40 and doing well and our statistics were a lot worse back in the 70's and 80's Livi has so many more opportunities then the older Thal major's had years ago. Just keep doing what the Dr. tells you and always ask questions.

Gina
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on December 04, 2009, 02:38:58 AM
Kathleen,

The MRI on the liver (liver iron concentration by ferriscan) or the MRI on the heart (T2*) are done annually.

As for the dosage, the maxium dose is 30mg per kilo.

So assuming that she weighs 40 lbs (18 kilos), so her max dose is 540mg per day
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: olivia mary on December 04, 2009, 07:34:59 PM
Thank you for the info. Olivia has her next transfusion on the 23rd so I will have her labs back by then. I will kepp you posted. You know, I also asked her MD if I should watch her diet and limit her iron intake that way and she said no not at this time because itmay taken away some nutrients that she may need. Any input on that?
Thanks, Kathleen
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on December 05, 2009, 12:07:41 AM
In my opinion, iron from diet in negligible compared to that gained from transfusion (which is already taken care of through chelators). So you better give her body all the nutrients it needs to grow properly.

Also being transfused..... i.e having a high HB eliminates absorption of iron in the gut. In addition you can always give her tea with the meals

manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Lena on December 05, 2009, 06:21:05 AM

What Manal believes for food iron, I believe too. This is what I have always been thinking: food iron is nothing compared to the iron we get from blood transfusions. We have stopped caring for food iron absorption in Greece and eat everything no matter the iron it contains. If you chelate regularly, food iron is not an issue.


Lena.

Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Waleed on December 05, 2009, 05:19:59 PM
In my opinion, iron from diet in negligible compared to that gained from transfusion (which is already taken care of through chelators). So you better give her body all the nutrients it needs to grow properly.

Also being transfused..... i.e having a high HB eliminates absorption of iron in the gut. In addition you can always give her tea with the meals

manal

I REALLY HATE sayigns that dont eat this and dont eat that cuz it contains a lot of iron ....1st of all being a lahori (resident of lahore,pakistan) as v r traditionally known to love food , i eat all those desi(local) dishes. come on man dont deprive urself from that delicious food.

2nd i wud go with manal .... u dont realy absorb that much iron from food .. and u dont eat high iron diet everyday .. wut u need is iron chlation and if u r to conxccerned about it then have no less than 6 cups of tea everyday ...

just dont b overconcerned bout iron and neglect all other essential nutrients u need ... u need all of em for health . Make sure u have a good diet
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on December 05, 2009, 06:40:28 PM
From http://www.thalassemia.com/documents/thalhandbook2008.final.pdf

Quote
For nontransfused thalassemia patients, folate supplementation
(1 mg daily) is recommended, and consuming
a moderately low-iron diet is encouraged—that is, avoiding
iron-fortified cereals and other products and excessive
consumption of red meat. Drinking black tea with
meals is recommended to reduce iron absorption from
food.
For transfused patients on chelation therapy, a low-iron
diet is unnecessary and may decrease the quality of life
for some patients. The amount of iron obtained from
just one unit of packed red cells (200 mg) far outweighs
the amount of iron obtained from a 3-ounce steak (5
mg).

Some notes about this. First, if you are not transfused, iron can be absorbed at extremely high rates, so untransfused intermedias should definitely be on a low iron diet. It isn't just how much iron is in the food. It's more about the rate of absorption in the gut, so low hemoglobin level patients do need to watch their iron intake, especially from red meat. Secondly, patients who transfuse but allow the Hb to drop below optimum levels (below 9-9.5) should also watch their iron intake because once the Hb drops below 10, the gut will increase its iron absorption rate.

Of course, we are only talking about the amount of iron in foods, especially the easiest absoirbed iron that is found in red meats, but there are other health factors to consider and consumption of large amounts of red meat is tied to many other health problems, including cardiac disease, so please try to maintain a good balanced diet and don't feel that iron is the only problem with eating large amounts of red meat. Moderation in all things.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Canadian_Family on December 05, 2009, 07:43:44 PM
In my opinion, iron from diet in negligible compared to that gained from transfusion (which is already taken care of through chelators). So you better give her body all the nutrients it needs to grow properly.

manal

I agree Manal, I remember posting this message three years ago but didn't get much response. We are learning more and getting out of 'old wives tales' regarding thalassemia.

Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: ginacappo on December 05, 2009, 07:59:27 PM
I agree Manal, I remember posting this message three years ago but didn't get much response. We are learning more and getting out of 'old wives tales' regarding thalassemia.



I agree as well, even my Dr. said the amount of iron you get from food is nothing compared to transfusions. I eat what I want but in a healthy manner the only thing I stay away from is raw fish which is hard to do because I love sushi but its not good for ppl with Liver Problems that coming from my Hematoligist.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on December 05, 2009, 08:02:36 PM
I don't know of this starts on what I said - I havent look back in the discussion - but I do believe that I benefit from a low iron diet. I know it seems to be different by thalassemia patients, but PK deficiency patients seems to have primary iron overload (hemochromatose) too. I always try to avoid products with a forfied (wrong spelling, I know) iron percentage of 4. It is also a principal of taking so much natural products as possible - though I am sometimes craving for something unhealthy LOL.
As for the natural high iron foods, I don't believe in the spinach dream.
Ofcourse I know that Exjade likes all iron, but I rather keep the input so low as possible.

So what I try to say, make the decision based on your genes, opinions and feelings.

Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on December 05, 2009, 09:22:16 PM
I have to agree with Dore. I think most people can benefit from a low iron diet. The modern diet that is loaded with meat has been implicated in many health problems, and iron specifically has been implicated in many health issues from diabetes to cancer, so it does make sense to try to limit the iron intake. Metals are needed by the body in small amounts but every metal is dangerous when too much is consumed.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Canadian_Family on December 06, 2009, 01:33:58 AM
I am so proud of this forum. Where you can find a healthy debate on thalassemia but on this forum. Our doctor phrased it like this for us in 2003. Don't worry about iron diet and give her whatever she wants, not that it means she can have a steak everyday.

The point is moderation is the best policy. Even a healthy person with daily intake of high iron diet will have health issues. So I say, we all stand correct in our own way.

The message I am getting is 'Moderation' guys, whether you are thal or non-thal.

Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on December 06, 2009, 02:25:40 AM
CF,

That is exactly it. Moderation. A good example is vitamin D. We've talked a lot about using megadoses of vitamin D to correct deficiency, but we also need to be aware that megadoses should be a temporary adjustment. No one should need ongoing megadoses of D. Once the correction has been made, a return to normal dosing is well advised.

Learn to listen to your body. It can be a good guide towards proper nutrition if you pay attention.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Lena on December 06, 2009, 04:41:53 AM
I agree with all above said. Perhaps I am not concerned about food iron intake, as I am not a meat-eater. I do not eat red meat -  once every two weeks more or less. That's why I don't care about iron intake. But generally speaking, we have dropped this case in Greece. Of course, I'll go for what Andy said about moderation in all aspects of life.

Lena.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on December 06, 2009, 12:31:19 PM
See, it depends all on lifestyle. I think we are one step forward the rest because we realize that we need to take extra care for our bodies.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on December 06, 2009, 12:43:14 PM
you people already has said  alot n i think nothing more has left to to say but  :agree to you all at every word that u has said :) ...
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Lena on December 06, 2009, 05:41:07 PM

 Umair,

 It's so nice to read you again!

 
 Lena.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on December 10, 2009, 03:46:12 PM
Lena,
Thanx Lena , ... :)

Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on December 29, 2009, 09:26:42 AM
And up to 700+
I take it bravely again and it hits me at day 4. V nausea... :-\
[today is gonna be a nice day though]
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on December 31, 2009, 09:26:10 AM
Hi ya Dore ( Dodo ),
i hope u had a good day and wish u all the best for 2010 :P ...

Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on January 10, 2010, 05:16:50 PM
I know about the names. It just that I looked myself up and thought this not what i want to see online.
Anyways, my fe crossed the 1000 on the wrong side this time. Its way too high again. So I need a new game plan. I went from 1500 to 1000 a month ago. There is no way I can go back to that level, so I have decided to take on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday 1500mg and the rest of the week 1000mg. Do you think that will help me? I must say that I hope to find more info about the combi deferirpone/Exjade in Berlin in March so that I can discuss that with my doc.
 :wah

PS. My hemoglobine is very unstable. For weeks it was around 4.7ml/l and suddenly it's now back at 5.7ml/l. I didnt change the interval of Tx, nor the amount of bags. I still get 1 bag every 2 weeks. I don't get it.
Btw my fellow thalassemia friend at the hospital showed me her results. She gets 2 bags every 3 weeks and she got always a hgb of 5.6ml/l (1 out of 10 is different). Does your lab results also look so stable? My lab results never showed such stable results. Maybe that's the difference between pkd def and thal? :S
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on January 11, 2010, 08:28:04 AM
Dore,

Don't worry,with proper chelation plan you'll get below 1000 again,and yes if you can't take the high dose continuously,taking it twice or thrice a week should be helpful.

Its a bit tricky that why your hb is unstable although you are going for tx every two weeks and getting the same amount of blood,do you check the dates on which the blood is collected from donors,the fresher the blood is the more it stays in the body,have you ever tried increasing you tx intervals and the amount of blood,like you can try getting 2 bags every 4 or 3 weeks,it would be less visits to the hospital and may be your hb will remain stable ? but its my opinion only,you have to calculate yourself whats best for you.

Good luck,

Zaini.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on January 11, 2010, 10:42:50 AM
Zaini,
Thats what I want to ask too. Going once a month for two weeks. But first I must find a way to get the speed of the pump up. There is no space to plan me in for a whole day. That;s also a part of the problem which really shouldn't be my problem at all...
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Lena on January 11, 2010, 11:26:37 AM
Dori,


As you said, you must find a way for your chelation scheme to work. We sometimes tend to leave our chelation plans for the future. That is wrong.Whatever you must do, do it now and it will definitely have good results. You just need to arrange things.

Wish you luck,
Lena.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on January 12, 2010, 10:54:37 AM
Concerning exjade, has anyone got any idea if it is okay to split the daily dose into, half the dose in the morning for example and the other half before bed time in order to avoid reducing the weekly dose as Dore is doing ???

manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on January 12, 2010, 03:29:33 PM
The Exjade dose can be split in half and in terms of half life, this would actually give slightly better chelation coverage. The big deal about Exjade was the once per day dose with this being a great convenience, but in their rush to create a once per day chelator, they may have forgotten that taking a smaller dose more often might make it a bit easier on the stomach. Now there are small trials to compare the efficacy of once per day to twice per day.

If it decreases stomach discomfort, splitting the dose is a good way to take Exjade.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on January 12, 2010, 04:04:05 PM
Thanks Andy

Dore

You can ask your doctor to try this to avoid reducing your weekly dose, hope this helps getting rid of the discomfort

manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Dori on January 12, 2010, 04:14:20 PM
Manal, I must ask myself that. My next appt will be in April (6 month interval). I know myself well enough to say that I am not so good in remember that I must take myself pills, so I should life with stomach discomfort.  :huh But I will keep it in mind. Today I thought a lot about taking more extra doses. I mean I am so angry that fe plays it's devil game again.  :banghead
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Manal on January 12, 2010, 04:30:43 PM
I know how you feel Dore, :empathy but sometimes it may take a while until you get  to know what suits you best in the chelators. :medicine But try to split it for a week and see if there is any difference, maybe you can use an alarm clock to remind you, i sometimes do this for other stuff :impatient

manal
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on January 17, 2010, 10:35:40 AM
Dore ,
dont worrry .. u'll win over iron overload ... just take a breath and re-plan the strategy against iron .. .u r the one who can make a better treatment plan for u regarding ur other routine  plan ...

Best Regards
Take Care
Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: zs on January 19, 2010, 08:06:48 PM
hi all
mine is now 495
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: Zaini on January 20, 2010, 04:01:49 AM
Hi ZS,

Glad to hear that,keep working on it and one day you'll be in normal ranges :yes .

Zaini.
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: zs on January 20, 2010, 02:46:09 PM
tanx zaini
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: nice friend on January 20, 2010, 02:57:45 PM
ZS,
Wao,, that really good ... well done .. keep it up ...

Umair
Title: Re: What's your ferritin level?
Post by: zs on January 20, 2010, 04:56:49 PM
tanx umair