Having read about iron and restless legs for a long time, it still doesn’t make any sense. I am desperate to feel better. Yes, I have asked similar questions on this sub before, but I still cannot find the right answers.
Iron treatment for RLS (and PLMD) is so confusing. Synthetic iron tablets cause nausea and stomach pain and needs vitamin C (like a glass of orange juice) and avoiding dairy, and a long list of other iron blockers for 2 hours before and after taking them. Heme (haem) iron like beef spleen is apparently easier to absorb and needs taking everyday for at least 90 days to make any difference to blood iron levels. Those with confirmed anaemia or very low ferritin (stored iron) levels may get an IV iron infusion to quickly correct the low blood iron levels.
But none of these treatments appear to raise low BRAIN iron levels. When the brain itself has insufficient iron, I know this affects dopamine, which probably causes restless legs and involuntary “kicks” during sleep and arousals many times an hour, leaving one extremely tired all the time! I am no expert on this subject and hoping others can help.
Lactoferrin is also recommended, but I don’t know whether it can “move” iron across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To add to the confusion, there are different types of lactoferrin like, apto and holo, along with forms like liposomal liquid for easier absorption compared to capsules (yes I have researched this for a long time!).
I am doing all the right things and still stuck on square one. Please help.