Low Iron: H.pylori, Lactoferrin and Low Stomach Acid

In my sleuthing to try to discover why my iron levels have been rising so poorly in the past year, despite dosing by patient-proven methods, I have pieced together some valuable information.   

1. H.pylori causes low stomach acid (also, this).
2. H.pylori impairs iron absorption in infected individuals. 
3. Low lactoferrin levels can contribute to low iron levels. 
4. There is some evidence that bovine lactoferrin supplements can help eradicate H.pylori. 

Low stomach acid is frequently discussed on the Stop the Thyroid Madness patient to patient discussion groups, since many hypothyroid patients struggle with low stomach acid and therefore struggle to raise low iron levels.  Janie writes about low stomach acid here.

These pieces to my own low iron puzzle make sense, especially in light of the fact that my ferritin levels more than doubled after just 5 weeks of taking my iron supplements with not just Vitamin C but also ACV, prompted by Janie!  

Also, there is evidence that H.pylori can cause or at least contribute to intestinal permeability, increasing inflammation and food sensitivity/allergies. 

The previously linked article lists the following options for eradicating H.pylori:

• Clove
• Berberine
• Licorice (note that this herb can lower potassium levels and can raise blood pressure)
• Wild Indigo
• Slippery Elm
• Myrrh
• Barberry
• Oregon Grape
• Bismuth Citrate
• Bentonite Clay

Caroline Lunger's blog post on My Gutsy, which I highly recommend for information on H.pylori, also contains an extensive list of possible methods for eradicating H.pylori, some of which include:

• Herbs, such as: triphala, cats claw, ginger, thyme, oregano oil, golden seal, turmeric,
  evodia
• Baking Soda
• Mastic gum
• Vitamin C
• Coconut Oil, olive oil
• Manuka honey
• Garlic and cruciferous vegetables (although the latter should be used in moderation by those with hypothyroidism, and both avoided by those who have a sulfur detox pathway problem called CBS)

Testing for H.pylori

In Caroline Lunger's blog post, she lists this lab test as well as a link for why it is the most reliable one.  It runs $110.  Other than Maryland or New York state residents, US residents can order it without a doctor. 

There is also the MetaMetrix GI Effects Stool Test which tests for not only H.Pylori, but also opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria, yeast/fungi, parasites, inflammation, digestion, absorption, gluten-intolerance, short chain fatty acids, adiposity, and drug resistant genes (which is useful if you need to treat the above).  This test has to be ordered by a doctor.

The MetaMetrix test costs $99 upfront.  My understanding based on my experience is that IF you have insurance that covers in part, Genova (whom MetaMetrix is under) knocks off the $99 you sent in with the samples, then they bill your insurance with the information you submitted with your samples.  But, for insurance purposes they "have" to send you an additional bill for almost $500 more.  According to my doctor's office, they send this bill twice, then drop the additional fees, as long as you have insurance covering in part. 

Honestly, I think they are banking on the fact that some people are going to send in that extra $500 without asking.  I have friends on the patient-to-patient groups who have done this.

Iron Labs

My most recent iron lab results:


Serum 65 (35-155) (mid-range = 95)
TIBC 321 (250-450) (bottom 1/4 is 250-300)
UIBC 256 (150-375)
% Saturation 20 (15-55) (lower than 25-45 % points to low iron)
Ferritin 10 (13-150)

There's Light at the End of the Tunnel

I'm happy.  Even though I'm hitting a few road blocks along the way, I am getting better.  Read on!

I've been on NDT since January 18 and I started CT3M (with my NDT) Mar 28.  I've hit a few roadblocks:

1. I just found out my iron is low. 

    I was surprised.  I should have checked this much earlier in the process, but I didn't and I wasted time
    that I could have spent feeling better.  It was a dumb, basic mistake. 

    Do not be like me and think you are immune and can skip over "steps." 

2.  I need to swap T3 for my NDT for my Circadian dose, then use NDT for my daytime doses.

     I'm waaaaiting for the T3 to come in the mail.  When it does, I'll start with 12.5 mcg 90 minutes before I
     rise.  I'll basically be starting CT3M all over again.  Then I'll add 1/2 grain NDT somewhere around 1
     PM. 

Endo appointment and my Iron

I've known my endo since I was a kid.  I've known her Nurse Practitioner almost as long.  Although they haven't always agreed with my decisions (such as no flu shots while pregnant - or ever, for that matter), they respect my decision.

On Friday I had an appointment with my endo's NP for a diabetes recheck.  I hadn't been since December.  I had been so nervous about telling them I was taking an alternative route with my thyroid, that I just cancelled my March appointment.

I talked with my thyroid MD about it and he seemed to have no problems with me telling them I'm working with him.  (I had been paranoid about that, since he's always going on tiraids about the other doctors in town hating what he does.)  He even went as far as to say that he thinks my endo and her staff are a little curious, if not sympathetic, toward what he does.

The NP has always been very personable with patients.  She and I chatted like old friends.  We talked about my diabetes and she asked about my miscarriage and how I've been since then.  I said I wondered if it might not be good to check my iron since I lost so much blood.  She said sure and started adding the labs into the system. 

While she was adding the labs, I said that I wanted to let her and my endo know that since January I've been using some alternative methods with my thyroid, that I'm on NDT, and I'm working with a doctor . . . so I wouldn't be needing any thyroid labs drawn that day.

She was very stony-faced, tight lipped and said, "I'll take those labs out of the system then." She did it, said, "Okay," and very quickly changed the subject. 

It was one of the most uncomfortable few seconds of my entire life! 

I'm relieved not to have been yelled at or given a lecture.  But we'll see what happens when I meet with me endo for my 3 three month follow-up in September.  She might give me an earful about it, but I can also see her ignoring it.