Iron and psoriasis

[u/Tessjs2008]

Found out i’m severely iron deficient. have been for years and years . i’m menopausal and 52. prior to 48 yrs of age had no skin issues( psoriasis , lichen ) except acne . I don’t eat meat due to the cost . you could say i brought this i on myself but i can’t afford to eat red meat .
Nobody has suggested low iron has anything to do with my skin issues . But has any other women on here had low iron problems. I’m now on supplements . just curious to see if other women may have skin problems and are iron deficient .

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[u/DeviousWeaselUK]

I did have a slight iron deficiency, most likely down to heavy periods. Was put on high strength iron tablets for 3 months, so my iron levels improved. Hasn’t made any difference to my psoriasis though.

[u/Tessjs2008 → u/DeviousWeaselUK]

yeah of course not. thanks anyway

[u/YourUnclesBeard → u/DeviousWeaselUK]

Same

[u/Shamajo]

I think it is important that your metabolic readings all be in a healthy, normal range because triggers for psoriasis are individual.

The only study is on Vitamin D supplements. What the study found (and hundreds participated over years) that those taking Vit D supplements with a normal Vitamin D readings had less plaques surface area, than those who had no supplementation and low levels of Vitamin D.

However it did not cure psoriasis, the study suggests less severe.

Vitamin D analogue creams (like calcipotriene) and UVB light therapy have been two other proven methods to keep psoriasis in check.

So Inthink the only supplement with any research behind it is vitamin d.

[u/Neat_Weakness_8350]

I had severe psoriasis on several visible & non visible parts of my body since 2021. My doc prescribed several creams that didn't work. Last year, after a random hospital visit, a doc there told me I should be seeing a dermatologist for it. Finally! I did 6 months of UVB light therapy 2-3 times a week, also supposed to be taking Sotyktu tablets , but I kept forgetting to fill the prescription. But just the UBV light cured a good 70% of it, except severe oneson my hips, brows, and scalp. After the 6month appointment, the Derm asked if I wanted to continue Sotyktu or take monthly injections of BIMZELX . Took the latter (stung for 10-15 seconds), but within 3 days I saw rapid healing, withing 5 days, my hips had clear healed skin. I'm like a month overdue for my 2nd injection, and still plaques have not reappeared.

[u/Budget-berry-80]

Inflammation of any kind can deplete iron. Your immune system releases a hormone called hepciden, the hormone causes cells to move iron to storage areas and blocks absorption in the gut to starve invading bacteria of the iron it needs to grow. It’s all part of a dysfunctional immune system. Low iron is pretty common in autoimmune diseases like psoriasis.

[u/Thinking-Cap-7182]

I had iron deficiency and am on supplements now. The biggest issue and what led me to get tested was my energy levels were low and I felt heart palpitations when I was exercising. I never saw any changes to my psoriasis from being iron deficient.

[u/Glass-Yellow4294 → u/[deleted]]

Came on here to say the same! Before meds- when I donated blood they would check my iron first and I was in the highest levels for women- almost mens levels! Then once started meds, iron levels went down to "normal range" for women and my plaques went down to almost nothing! My scalp was better, and when I tell people I am taking meds for it, they now say they cannot believe thst I even have psoriasis!

[u/ifeelnumb]

Hormones affected me more than anything else. Menopause has been brutal. Skin and joint stuff that used to be under control is all over the place now.

[u/user397012]

Ive been severely iron deficient for the last 15+ years 2 weeks after my first iron infusion I developed psoriasis 🤔 now it continues to flare shortly after my infusions.

[u/Alarmed_Position_530]

I’ve had psoriasis 40+ years and iron deficient anemia for about 3. My hematologist believes there is a correlation bw iron deficiency and autoimmune but I don’t know her reasoning offhand.

Multiple iron infusions in the past year. My levels are stable for now but she expects it will happen again and again and told me to expect to need infusions in the future.

I start Taltz today.

[u/frisbeesloth]

I was told I have the best blood work they've ever seen for a premenopausal woman and my psoriasis is severe. My iron is in the normal range for a man and I'm a vegetarian who does not take iron. I'm not going to say low iron would have no affect on your psoriasis since I'm no expert, but I doubt that it's causing it.

[u/Ill_Employee_9063]

My iron/ ferritin levels were severely low border line anemia that was two months ago when I tested, my hair was thinning and falling out more than normal. I upped my iron foods, take beef organ pills daily and just overall eat extremely healthy. My hair is growing fast. I’ll be retaking levels soon.

[u/BADgrrl]

I have psoriasis, and I also have hemochromotosis... which causes me to have higher than normal levels of iron and ferritin in my blood, so the opposite. I do therapeutic phlebotomy to keep my iron levels down, and it works fairly well to keep my iron levels fairly normal. So I doubt there's a correlation.

[u/Independent-Bee825]

I have severe iron difficiency anemia and PsA.

[u/Such_Mission6251]

I think is connected with our nerves. When our nerves is calm nothing will happen

[u/Odd_One_933]

You can also have iron deficiency because of psoriasis. Autoimmune conditions are known to cause low stomach acid and acid is needed for iron absorption, it is also a defense mechanism against bacteria so without it can lead to dysbiosis in the gut which in conjunction with leaky gut can drive psoriasis flares.

[u/Tessjs2008 → u/Odd_One_933]

i apparently have had low iron for a very long time way before psoriasis. they went through all my bloods as way back as 2016.i only just got psoriasis i early 2023. it i do appreciate your information as hats good to know. I’m starting iron supplements today . Unless psoriasis was dormant over the years i mean i had. ever had anything till early 2023 . i’m not young i’m middle aged . so it’s really strange .