Anxiety? Maybe have your iron levels checked.

I was taken off lorazepam about 4 months ago. I then had the worst anxiety and panic attacks of my life. It was horrible. I was terrified bc I was put on buspirone, gabapentin, visteral, and had an increase to my zyprexa and I was still full of anxiety and panic. I was having a panic attack every day.

My family and friends said maybe your low on iron? I went to the dr and sure enough I was. Since starting iron supplements my anxiety has decreased. I haven't had a panic attack in about 4 days. I was able to decrease the zyprexa. I'm breathing better. I hope it stays this way. So make sure you do labs if you're having horrible anxiety.

Well I had a panic attack tonight.

Thats really interesting! I have a history of anemia, but its been a while since I had an episode of low iron. However... i have had the worst anxiety the past few weeks, just this low feeling of dread all the time. I feel totally frazzled because it isn't going away. I just feel the way you might right before you get scary test results or when someone you love is in emergency surgery, except its been really protracted. And that is not normal for my anxiety.

And then, I have had some issues with lightheadedness and blacking out/low blood pressure, plus really severe fatigue. It was those symptoms that had me talking to my doctor. But I wonder if iron could also be behind the increased anxiety. Weirdly, that would be wonderful, because at least its a simple solution.

Thanks again! I really hope it helps you get your panic attacks under control.

When my iron levels fall below 8, my anxiety symptoms escalate. Same with B and D vitamins. If those fall too low, the side effect I get is really bad panic attacks. Also, my ears ring incessantly when my hormones and iron/vitamin/mineral levels are too low. I just found out that my thyroid level is too low so that could also cause anxiety symptoms.

Basically, our moods are easily destabilized by low iron/vitamin/mineral/hormone levels. That's one aspect of mental health that I wish they'd stop attributing to low "serotonin levels" which in fact is a total lie. Serotonin doesn't cause anxiety. Serotonin doesn't have anything to do with anxiety. I have the blood tests to prove it.

Hey @Coolbreeze74: I did a search and found this:

Quote:

There is almost no element that has such a strong effect on the mind and body as iron. It is part of so many pathways that an iron deficient state in the body will cause symptoms including: anxiety, panic, depression, and neurological and digestive conditions. But for such an important mineral, the current standard of testing and cutoffs for treatment, especially for women remains behind the times, leaving many to go possibly under-treated. A Better Measure for Iron If you’ve gone to the doctor with fatigue, anxiety, or depression, they likely checked your hemoglobin levels to test for iron-deficiency anemia. If your hemoglobin was above a certain cutoff, you are not officially anemic, and you may have been told your iron levels are fine. However, studies show that an iron-deficient state that is not quite anemia, but is still low in iron stores can cause significant symptoms. A 2018 case report by hematologist Soppi stated “iron deficiency may be severe despite a normal hemoglobin and full blood count”. A better measure for detecting an iron-deficient state is the iron storage parameter, serum ferritin. A study by Vaucher et al (2012) showed that women with low ferritin benefitted from iron supplementation in terms of energy levels and anxiety levels, when their hemoglobin was normal. Updating Cutoffs Even if your ferritin was measured, the current cutoff for what is considered “low” is maybe not up to date with the research: the normal range of ferritin for most labs in Canada spans 5-272ug/L for women, but studies suggest multiple symptoms begin when a woman’s ferritin drops below 50ug/L. Another study states that patients with restless leg syndrome should be treated when their ferritin levels are below 75ug/L. And for patients with severe unexplained fatigue, the aforementioned hematologist Soppi recommends a target ferritin concentration of >100 μg/L. Statistically, this new consideration of higher cutoff values changes affect a lot of women. The average ferritin level of Canadian women aged 12-19 is 32ug/L, and women aged 20-49 is 41ug/L, both below the new proposed cutoffs for iron support. Despite the regular testing of hemoglobin in regular blood work check ups, the low cutoff values in current practice leave untreated iron deficiency a public health issue in Canada. If you’ve had your blood work done within the last year, it may be worth another look at your ferritin levels against this new proposed cutoff – especially if you struggle with mental health. Iron Levels & Mental Health Iron is a necessary cofactor in the pathways to create neurotransmitters in the brain. Low iron can result in low serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, contributing to symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic, ADHD, insomnia, irritability, poor concentration, addiction predilection, and restlessness.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolbreeze74 I was taken off lorazepam about 4 months ago. I then had the worst anxiety and panic attacks of my life. It was horrible. I was terrified bc I was put on buspirone, gabapentin, visteral, and had an increase to my zyprexa and I was still full of anxiety and panic. I was having a panic attack every day. My family and friends said maybe your low on iron? I went to the dr and sure enough I was. Since starting iron supplements my anxiety has decreased. I haven't had a panic attack in about 4 days. I was able to decrease the zyprexa. I'm breathing better. I hope it stays this way. So make sure you do labs if you're having horrible anxiety.

Thanks for posting that @sarahsweets. Iron is such an important element in our health -- physically and mentally.

10 Signs and Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

1. unusual tiredness
2. paleness
3. shortness of breath
4. headaches and dizziness
5. heart palpitations
6. dry and damaged hair and skin
7. swelling and soreness of the tongue and mouth
8. restless legs (I get this all the time and have it right now)
9. brittle or spoon shaped finger nails
10. Other symptoms: panic and anxiety, cold hands and feet, weird food cravings; cravings for ice, dirt, paper, clay, and frequent bruising and respiratory infections

my pdoc prescribes me folic acid, d3 and iron to take daily. It is only precautionary she says. I also have a thyroid issue and take Synthroid.
Low serotonin is a real thing. Taking care of ones self is important. Whatever works for you within reason, i guess.
Tams

You're welcome! I would have never guessed it.

Thank you for the info! Yes it can cause so much.

Well I haven't had a panic attack since Saturday. Knock on wood. They are so scary. It's awful!

Interesting! Thanks.

I'm going to revive this thread. I've been having progressively worse night time anxiety over the last few years. Currently I'm struggling with insomnia, and have dealing with racing heart, tightening throat, feeling so restless it's uncomfortable to be still, all from anxiety.

Iron has always been the one supplement my pdoc has suggested that I've blown off. Even after having him tell me I'm kind of anemic on past bloodwork. I've literally been blowing it off for years.

I started taking iron 2 weeks ago. For the last week, I've had no physical night time anxiety symptoms even though I'm struggling with insomnia still. Because I'm no longer anxious for hours, I'm getting slightly more sleep. I really hope this is my answer.

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