iron and protein

Question
QUESTION: I've recently started giving plasma twice weekly.  I've discovered more often than not my pcv is 37, needs to be 38, and my protein is low but generally ok to donate with. I've been taking approx 325 is it ferrus iron? or 87 mg x 3 a day.  I also take prescribed 1000 mg vit D daily for leg pain.  I don't take a multi.  I also take 50 mcg syntroid a day for hyporthyroidism. I am 46, 5-2, 135 lbs.  I've been exercising 30 mins daily for over a month.  I'd like to lose 10 lbs and get in better shape for more energy and appearance also. I also have taken some of the Ascential products recently E2 and Lean to help with weight and energy. What can I do to get my iron/protein up, but keep my weight down?  Appreciate your reply...

ANSWER: In order to lose weight the best thing to do is drastically reduce (or eliminate) foods in your diet that do not contain a high level of nutrients like protein and iron, but do contain a high amount of calories.
These would be foods like candy, chocolate, regular soda, cakes, cookies, chips, and added fats like butter, sour cream and mayonnaise.  Then you will be eliminating lots of calories, but keeping up the intake of the nutrients in your regular healthy diet.

A great guideline for including the most healthy foods in your diet can be found at http://www.mypyramid.gov.

Also, if you have been prescribed iron for a condition of low iron in your blood this is so much more than you could ever hope to get in with foods (it's nearly impossible to eat 20 mg of iron in a day) that I wouldn't even worry about trying to eat high iron foods while you're on the supplement.

I don't know why the protein in your blood would be low unless you have an extremely limited intake of animal products and an otherwise unbalanced diet... even for vegetarians in the US it's pretty difficult to get a protein deficiency unless your diet is very poor.  If your protein level is low and this was communicated to you by the people who are taking your plasma I would get an appointment with my MD to investigate this further.

Unfortunately I am neither familiar with the term pcv (which looks like it could be a hematocrit level) or with the Ascential products you are taking, so I cannot advise you on those topics.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hemacrit level is right (packed cell volume is pvc...saw it on the internet).  My protein was off just once. My hemocrit if off often, even with the iron suppliment.  I'll see how the next oouple of times donating at the center go for me.  If I continue to be low on iron (or protein) I'll make an appt with my Dr.  How long should I be off an iron suppliment for my iron to be a my "normal" level?  I'd like to have the supplimental iron out of my body before I test so she knows where I'm at with my current diet only.  (the iron was not prescribed by my Dr I've been taking it on my own so I can pass at the plasma center)

Answer
When you get your hemoglobin or hematocrit level drawn it doesn't actually measure the iron in your blood, so you don't have to be off the supplement for an accurate measurement.  It takes about 120 days to make new hemoglobin (which is why that is how often you can donate blood).  If the people at the center keep finding your iron low I would suggest you see the doctor to find out why.  You might have heavy periods or you might have some low-level bleed going on, common in the digestive tract, but definitely needs attention.
Keep me posted!

1. Prev:Weight vs Height
2. Next:Weight gain with Boost