Iron Deficiency & Restless Legs
Understanding the critical connection between iron levels and RLS symptoms
Important: Blood Tests Can Be Misleading
Your iron blood test might show "normal" but you could still have brain iron deficiency causing RLS. Standard ferritin levels of 12-15 μg/L are too low for RLS patients - you need >75 μg/L.
🧠 The Iron-RLS Connection
Iron deficiency in the brain disrupts dopamine function, leading to RLS symptoms
25% of RLS cases
are directly linked to iron deficiency, even when blood levels appear normal
Brain iron deficiency
can occur despite normal blood iron levels - brain and blood iron are measured differently
Ferritin under 75μg/L
is considered low for RLS patients (normal range is typically 12-150μg/L)
70% improvement
in RLS symptoms when iron deficiency is properly treated
🩸 Essential Iron Tests for RLS
These blood tests help determine if iron deficiency is causing your RLS symptoms
Serum Ferritin
Most important test - measures iron stores in the body
Transferrin Saturation
Shows how much iron is available for use
Serum Iron
Amount of iron in blood at time of test
TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity)
Body's capacity to bind iron with transferrin
💊 Iron Deficiency Treatment Options
Treatment choice depends on severity of deficiency, tolerance, and how quickly you need results
Oral Iron Supplements
Moderate to HighTiming: Take on empty stomach with Vitamin C
Duration: 3-6 months, then retest
Best For: First-line treatment for mild iron deficiency
IV Iron Infusion
Very HighTiming: Single hospital/clinic visit
Duration: Effects last 6-12 months
Best For: For severe deficiency or poor oral iron tolerance
Dietary Iron Increase
Low to ModerateTiming: With meals, avoid with tea/coffee
Duration: Ongoing lifestyle change
Best For: Supportive measure, not primary treatment
🥩 Iron-Rich Foods for RLS
While food alone rarely corrects deficiency, these foods support iron supplementation
Red meat (beef, lamb)
Heme iron - easily absorbed
Liver (chicken, beef)
Heme iron - highest source
Spinach (cooked)
Non-heme iron - needs Vitamin C
Lentils
Non-heme iron - good plant source
Dark chocolate
Non-heme iron - tasty option!
Tofu
Non-heme iron - vegetarian option
💡 Maximize Iron Absorption
Enhance Absorption
- Take iron with Vitamin C (orange juice, bell peppers)
- Take on empty stomach if tolerated
- Cook in cast iron cookware
- Combine plant iron with meat proteins
Avoid These Blockers
- Don't take with tea, coffee, or milk
- Avoid calcium supplements with iron
- Don't take with antacids or proton pump inhibitors
- Separate from zinc and magnesium supplements
👥 Special Populations & Iron Deficiency RLS
Pregnancy
Vegetarians/Vegans
Heavy Menstrual Periods
Chronic Kidney Disease
⏰ Iron Treatment Timeline
Week 1-2
Start iron supplementation. May experience minor GI side effects initially.
Week 4-6
Early RLS improvement may begin. Continue supplementation consistently.
Month 3
Retest ferritin levels. Significant RLS improvement expected if iron-related.
Month 6
Maximum benefit achieved. Consider maintenance dose or alternative treatments.
What If Iron Supplementation Doesn't Help?
If your ferritin is above 75 μg/L or iron treatment doesn't improve RLS symptoms after 3 months, your RLS likely has other causes. Therapulse vibration therapy is effective for all types of RLS, regardless of iron status.
📚 Related RLS Information
Don't Wait - Get Your Iron Levels Checked
If you have RLS symptoms, ask your doctor for a full iron panel including ferritin levels. While waiting for results or if iron isn't the cause, Therapulse provides immediate relief.