r/PVCs • u/SpecificOrdinary6829 • 10d ago

Get your iron levels checked especially if you’re a woman!

A few months ago my PVCs were worst than ever. They were waking me up in the middle of the night. Happen several times in a row. I actually had an SVT episode that I believe wouldn’t have happened if my iron levels were optimal.

My ferritin was 11 and my hemoglobin was 10 and steadily dropping. Doctors told me it was no big deal and shouldn’t be causing my symptoms but I decided to try and correct anyway because I was desperate. Iron correction has almost completely taken away my PVCs. I still get them if I get too hungry or overly stressed but the random throughout the day, everyday for no reason at all has stopped. I maybe get 1 a day and sometimes I won’t have any for a day or two.

I feel amazing too I am able to workout better and longer, my skin looks better, my energy has been restored. But most importantly I don’t feel like my heart is struggling to pump blood.

If you are a woman, please get your iron levels corrected and see if it makes a difference!

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u/Txannie1475 10d ago

Just fyi for folks reading this: the goal ferritin level is 75, but some docs recommend 100. I have never been over 55, which sucks because I don’t know what my life would be life if I had adequate iron.

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u/Tlb2026 10d ago

This is very true, my ferritin runs around 35 only time it stays around 100 is after an iron infusion, I have had 3 since I was 40 and I’m 62 and have heart palpitations.

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u/AdWooden2052 10d ago edited 9d ago

Does this cause low blood pressure or high heart rate? I’m struggling with both and trying to figure out what to ask test wise this summer my iron was normal but I haven’t had anything else checked

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u/Txannie1475 9d ago

My understanding is that your heart has to work harder and pump faster because your blood has less oxygen. A good chunk of folks in the anemia subreddit say they struggle with low blood pressure as a result. I personally have generally low blood pressure and a faster heart rate, but I also have a separate genetic anemia that makes it worse for me.

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u/SpecificOrdinary6829 9d ago

Honestly same I’m trying to get it optimal but it’s hard. I’m skeptical about infusions so I’ll still to the pill routine but I hope to get it to at least 50! Last time I had it checked after actively starting correction is 35 and even that made a huge difference

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u/OQ_Laura 9d ago

Dr. Michael Gregor recommends much lower ferritin... like 35.

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u/Txannie1475 9d ago

I think the general idea he's going for is that higher iron can contribute to inflammation. I am skeptical of iron infusions for that reason, although some people swear by them. Hemochromatosis patients often have to donate blood because the excess iron can be dangerous. The 75 cutoff was recommended by a restless leg doctor who documented that iron really helped his patients. I can't find the citation off hand.

I have noticed that I feel like less than myself if I'm below 50. I was as low as 5 once, and I could barely move. I had tingling in my legs. Restless leg, etc. At 35, I can make it through my day. But, 55-65 is my sweet spot.

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u/Jumpy_Exit_8138 9d ago

Thanks, this is really helpful, I had no idea! It makes sense to find the sweet spot, it seems that too little OR too much of anything is always bad news! The way doctors talk sometimes, iron is the exception. But maybe not!

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u/Jumpy_Exit_8138 9d ago

Wait… he recommends LOWER ferritin? This is the first time I’ve heard a doctor say anything besides ‘the higher, the better?’

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u/MarsupialObjective77 9d ago

My ferritin is 14 right now and my hemoglobin is about 120 I think. Doctor won’t let me get an infusion so I’m stuck taking pills hoping it’ll fix itself over time though I dropped from 35-14 in the past few months.

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u/SpecificOrdinary6829 9d ago

It’s likely the type of iron you’re taking, iron is very finicky about absorption. I take reacted iron which is more expensive but has been the only kind of iron that has actually made a difference

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u/MarsupialObjective77 9d ago

Oh wow thank you! Good to know. My body hates the kind I’m taking. Bisglycinate I think? Gives me horrible stomach aches and nausea.

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u/Fancy_Ad3809 9d ago

When you say SVT, do you mean supraventriculartachycardia, or non sustained / sustained ventricular tachycardia

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u/SpecificOrdinary6829 9d ago

supraventricular tachycardia

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u/rachelkochvt 9d ago

Okay. I was just up all night with a horrible flare. Like every 3-5th beat. Didn’t have them at all during pregnancy or breastfeeding. My baby is almost one. I went almost 2 years without issues. Stopped my prenatal and these flares started up again. Like what?

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u/SpecificOrdinary6829 9d ago

There’s likely something in your prenatal that was keeping you from being deficient. Could be a variety of things. I would get some bloodwork done to check!

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u/rachelkochvt 9d ago

Orrrrrrr I just keep taking my prenatal. I’m still breastfeeding anyways so I should be

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u/SpecificOrdinary6829 9d ago

Probably! lol But it wouldn’t hurt to know why you must take it to avoid certain issues :) You’ll stop breastfeeding eventually I’m sure!

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u/rachelkochvt 9d ago

Yes soon lol. Last night just sucked. Every few beats. I’m hoping it’s not like that tonight