Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published on March 10, 2024.
Discussing the dangers of excessive iron, Christy Sutton, D.C., sheds light on a topic often overlooked by most doctors who typically focus on iron deficiency. Sutton, author of the books “Genetic Testing: Defining Your Path to a Personalized Health Plan: An Integrative Approach to Optimize Health” and “The Iron Curse: Is Your Doctor Letting High Iron Destroy Your Health?”, emphasizes the importance of maintaining balanced iron levels for overall health, particularly for children and young adults. She explains that while iron is essential for red blood cell formation and energy production, an excess of iron can lead to significant health issues.
A Silent Epidemic
Having personal experience with both low and high iron levels, Sutton reveals her lifelong interest in iron due to her health struggles and her husband’s genetic anomaly causing elevated iron levels. She highlights the importance of monitoring iron levels closely and shares her realization that many individuals actually have high iron levels. Through her research for her book, she discovered hemochromatosis genes, which turned out to be the cause of her husband’s high iron levels.
After a series of misdiagnoses, they eventually identified her husband’s condition as hereditary hemochromatosis, a treatable disorder that involves blood removal and dietary supplements. Sutton emphasizes the need for increased awareness about high iron levels, as many cases go undiagnosed or are dismissed without further investigation.
How to Lower Your Iron Level
As someone with beta thalassemia, Sutton explains her struggle with high iron levels due to increased red blood cell turnover. She stresses the importance of regular blood donations to lower iron levels effectively, as supplements like inositol have shown little to no impact on iron reduction.
While cautioning against ineffective iron-lowering supplements, Sutton recommends curcumin as a beneficial option for reducing iron levels. She explains that curcumin not only binds to iron but also offers additional health benefits. Sutton suggests taking curcumin with iron-rich meals to inhibit iron uptake and mentions silymarin as another supplement that helps bind iron and protect the liver.
Alpha-lipoic acid is another substance that binds to and reduces iron levels while also providing protection to nerves and lowering blood sugar. Silymarin is also effective in lowering iron, although not as much as curcumin. It is recommended to take these supplements with iron-rich meals if the goal is to lower iron levels. If taken for medicinal purposes without the intention of lowering iron, it is advised to take them separately from iron-rich meals.
High iron levels pose various health risks, including an increased risk of skin infections and skin cancer. The combination of high iron and linoleic acid intake can lead to oxidative damage, resulting in conditions such as liver spots and potentially skin cancer. An understanding of hemochromatosis, a condition characterized by excessive iron absorption due to genetic factors, is crucial in managing iron levels effectively.
Diagnosing hemochromatosis involves comprehensive lab work, including a full iron panel, complete blood count, and testing liver enzymes and copper levels. Keeping ferritin levels below 100 is recommended to avoid inflammation and potential health risks associated with high iron levels. A ferritin level above 200 is considered pathological and may indicate a shorter lifespan and increased risk of heart attack and cancer. Testing for hemochromatosis genes is crucial if ferritin levels are elevated along with high iron saturation levels. It’s time to consult with a hematologist to discuss lowering iron levels. If there is no hemochromatosis gene present, it is important to determine the reason behind high iron levels. Factors such as thalassemia gene presence, excessive iron consumption, or unexplained hemolysis can contribute to non-hereditary hemochromatosis. Treatment involves heavy supplementation to reduce iron levels, with therapeutic phlebotomy being a viable option for those with sufficient red blood cells and hemoglobin. In cases where red blood cells are being depleted rapidly due to thalassemia or excessive blood loss, supplements can be used to lower iron levels without waiting for recovery.
Sutton’s husband’s high cortisol levels due to Cushing’s disease were potentially exacerbated by high iron levels, leading to oxidative stress on his pituitary gland. Early diagnosis was crucial in saving him, as regular monitoring of cortisol and DHEA levels revealed abnormalities. Progesterone is suggested as a treatment for Cushing’s disease, as it effectively blocks cortisol. Other natural substances like aspirin, DHEA, pregnenolone, emodin, vitamins A and D, gelatin, glycine, and niacinamide can also help inhibit cortisol production.
When using progesterone, it is important to follow a Bioenergetic diet approach and consider transmucosal application for optimal results. Avoid transdermal progesterone, as it may be converted irreversibly into other compounds on the skin. Administering progesterone correctly can provide numerous benefits without adverse effects.
Progesterone can be safely administered transmucosally on the gums, although FDA regulations may limit labeling recommendations. Progesterone is a natural hormone and not a drug, making it safe for off-label use. Dr. Ray Peat’s research has highlighted the benefits of progesterone supplementation, particularly when dissolved in vitamin E to enhance tissue absorption. Natural vitamin E, specifically the D isomer, is recommended to counteract excess estrogen and protect against damage.
To ensure the highest quality, avoid synthetic vitamin E and opt for a complete spectrum of tocopherols and tocotrienols in the effective D isomer form. Pharmaceutical grade bioidentical progesterone can be purchased online for around $40, providing a cost-effective solution for progesterone supplementation. This is almost a year’s supply, depending on the dosage you choose.
However, you will need to buy small stainless steel measuring spoons as you will need a 1/64 tsp, which is 25 mg, and a 1/32 tsp, which is 50 mg. A typical dose is usually 25-50 mg and should be taken 30 minutes before bedtime, as it has anti-cortisol effects and increases GABA levels for better sleep.
If you are a menstruating woman, you should take progesterone during the luteal phase or the second half of your cycle, starting 10 days after your period begins and stopping when your period starts.
If you are male or a non-menstruating woman, you can take progesterone daily for four to six months and then take a break for a week. The best time to take progesterone is 30 minutes before bedtime as it has anti-cortisol effects and increases GABA levels for better sleep.
This is the regimen I have been following for over a year with great results. As a physician, I have no issues with this. However, if you are not a physician, it is advisable to consult one before starting this therapy as transmucosal progesterone therapy requires a doctor’s prescription.
Understanding Iron-Deficient Anemia
As described by Sutton, iron-deficient anemia is a serious condition. Children born to women with iron-deficient anemia are at a significantly higher risk of having low IQ, ADD, ADHD, and other neurological problems that may persist into adulthood.
“Many children suffer from low iron because they consume a lot of calcium-rich foods. Calcium binds to iron, leading to low iron levels. Perhaps they are picky eaters or are going through rapid growth. Many children are not screened for their iron levels and are diagnosed with ADHD when their actual issue is low iron, as without sufficient iron, dopamine production is affected. Thus, low iron is a significant concern.”
Individuals with iron-deficient anemia typically have high TIBC and UIBC, as their bodies try to increase iron mobilization. Serum iron and iron saturation levels are low, and ferritin levels are usually below 30.
“Iron-deficient anemia is complex because the question arises: why is iron low?” Sutton explains. “There are numerous reasons for low iron levels. Is it due to inadequate dietary intake? Is there an absorption issue? The most common reasons for low iron development include gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal malabsorption problems, or undiagnosed celiac disease.
There is a genetic factor that may increase the likelihood of low iron. I carry that gene, which causes increased hepcidin production. In cases of iron-deficient anemia, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels may also be low. MCH and MCV levels may decrease.”
Copper Deficiency Can Lead to Low and High Iron Levels
A common cause of iron-deficient anemia is copper deficiency. Interestingly, a lack of copper can also lead to iron overload. Sutton elaborates:
“This is because copper is essential for two crucial enzymes – hephaestin and ceruloplasmin. Hephaestin is present in the gut lining and requires copper for iron absorption. Without copper, iron absorption in the gut lining is impaired, resulting in iron-deficient anemia.
After iron is absorbed in the gut lining by hephaestin, it is transferred to ceruloplasmin, the second copper-rich enzyme. Ceruloplasmin facilitates the movement of iron throughout the body. Without ceruloplasmin, iron accumulates in various tissues, leading to iron overload. Prolonged copper deficiency may eventually result in low iron levels, preventing excess iron accumulation in tissues. The solution is to supplement with copper to address this issue. This is how copper-deficient anemia is managed.
Copper-deficient anemia presents similar symptoms to iron-deficient anemia on an iron panel. TIBC, UIBC, serum iron, iron saturation, and ferritin levels are low. Neutrophils and white blood cell counts may also decrease, making individuals more susceptible to infections. Ceruloplasmin levels may be difficult to interpret, as they are influenced by factors such as inflammation, hormone usage, or pregnancy.
If ceruloplasmin levels are low or low-normal and increase with copper supplementation, it indicates a copper deficiency.”
Increasing Iron Intake Through Diet
The most effective way to increase iron levels is through diet. Shellfish and beef are rich in easily absorbable iron. There are two types of iron – heme iron and non-heme iron, with heme iron found in animal products and non-heme iron in vegetables like spinach.
“If you do not consume iron-rich foods like red meat, you may be at higher risk of low iron levels,” Sutton advises. “If high iron levels are a concern, you may want to limit these foods or adjust your supplementation accordingly. Personally, I prefer ferrous peptonate as a supplement as it is gentle on the stomach while effectively increasing iron levels.” Realmente no me gusta el sulfato ferroso, que es el hierro más común que se recibe. No creo que funcione muy bien, y tiende a crear mucho dolor de estómago. Siempre tengo que tomar mi hierro con comida y a veces le añado cobre o vitamina C. Si no lo tomo con comida, realmente va a alterar mi estómago.
Más Información
Para obtener más información, echa un vistazo a los libros de Sutton, “Pruebas Genéticas: Definiendo Tu Camino hacia un Plan de Salud Personalizado: Un Enfoque Integrador para Optimizar la Salud,” y “La Maldición del Hierro, ¿Tu Médico Permite que el Hierro Alto Destruya tu Salud?.”