Khosro Hekmat
The ferritin value that counts differently in RLS. Ferritin, transferrin saturation, hepcidin: in restless legs syndrome these laboratory values mean something different from what they mean elsewhere in medicine. A result that passes as normal everywhere else can already call for treatment here, and this is often overlooked. This volume explains the brain’s iron metabolism, shows why the RLS-specific ferritin threshold sits so much higher than the general one, and works through both routes of iron therapy, the tablet and the infusion. With a comparison of the preparations, the duration of response, retreatment and the safety questions that belong to it. One table sets the guideline thresholds, an expert algorithm and this series’ own threshold for a conversation with the doctor side by side, and every chapter says how strong the evidence behind it is. Separate chapters cover the situations in which iron matters most: children, pregnancy, kidney failure and dialysis, blood donation as a trigger, and coeliac disease, haemochromatosis and the role of diet. WHAT IS IN THE BOOK- How the body absorbs, distributes and stores iron- Serum ferritin: what the number really means - and what it does not- Why the ferritin threshold in RLS sits higher than in the rest of medicine- Taking iron tablets correctly, with effectiveness and limits- When an iron infusion is an option and what distinguishes the preparations- Children, pregnancy, dialysis and blood donation- An iron roadmap to take into the consulting room- One study in detail: intravenous iron with ferritin between 100 and 300 micrograms per litre, a signal rather than proof WHO THIS BOOK IS FORFor patients who have been told their iron value is normal, for anyone facing an iron infusion, and for health professionals who want the RLS-specific thresholds with the evidence behind them. ABOUT THE SERIESVolume 6 of 52 in the book series on restless legs syndrome, part 'Treatment'. Every volume can be read on its own. The statements in this volume rest on 187 professional sources, each one listed individually in the reference section.
