Strange blood iron results, any ideas?

[ycbm]

So I had Ludo tested for iron/ copper/vitamin E after 6 months on his new regime to see where we stood. Copper is normal on the low side, removing any worry that I was over dosing him for his new environment. Vitamin E was normal on the low side, removing the worry that I had not increased his vitamin E enough to compensate for less grass.

But his iron result is something the vet had not seen before. I had it tested to be sure that I wasn't giving too much copper and blocking iron uptake. His iron in blood serum is low, but his total iron in blood (including what's inside the red corpuscles) is high. The vet says this is unusual and you would expect both to be either low or high.

Any ideas folks? He is bright, fit and has never looked or felt as well in his life.
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[Squeak]

Bumping for you in the hope that someone more knowledgeable than me can answer as I have no clue on that one!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

How weird, trust a spotty to come up with something strange.

 

[ycbm]

Vet isn't concerned, as such, just says this is a really unusual result. Trust Ludo to confuse us all ?

 

[CanteringCarrot]

So is it that the iron in the serum is low, but the TIBC (total iron-binding capacity) high? Is that what you mean by total iron in the blood? Just making sure I have this straight.

Are his liver values normal?

It's also possible for red blood cells to be destroyed but the total iron to read alright/high IIRC.

If the serum is low but the TIBC is high, that's not unheard of and can be explained.

Was the blood pulled right after being exercised?

Here's a somewhat related article re iron and different levels: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3949601/

 

[PurBee]

What’s his magnesium supplementation? A working horse requires more than maintenance. Magnesium helps transport iron stores for use:

Magnesium potentiation of iron-transferrin binding
M E Parent 1, M B Zemel
Affiliations expand

• PMID: 2927254
• DOI: 10.1016/0024-3205(89)90551-1

Abstract
The binding of iron to transferrin was studied by loading iron (III) onto apotransferrin in a chloride and a nitrilotriacetate form. When magnesium was added, a marked increase occurred in both the rate of iron binding and the maximum level of iron loaded on transferrin utilizing either iron salt. In the absence of magnesium the amount of iron required to achieve 50 percent saturation of the binding sites was 1.6 x 10(-4) M, whereas when magnesium was added, only about one-third as much iron (0.54 x 10(-4) M) was required. These data suggest an allosteric effect on transferrin by magnesium which potentiates iron (III) binding.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2927254/

 

[ycbm]

So is it that the iron in the serum is low, but the TIBC (total iron-binding capacity) high? Is that what you mean by total iron in the blood? Just making sure I have this straight.

Are his liver values normal?

It's also possible for red blood cells to be destroyed but the total iron to read alright/high IIRC.

If the serum is low but the TIBC is high, that's not unheard of and can be explained.

Was the blood pulled right after being exercised?

Here's a somewhat related article re iron and different levels: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3949601/

Liver is fine.

 

[ycbm]

What’s his magnesium supplementation? A working horse requires more than maintenance. Magnesium helps transport iron stores for use:

Magnesium potentiation of iron-transferrin binding
M E Parent 1, M B Zemel
Affiliations expand

• PMID: 2927254
• 
  
• DOI: 10.1016/0024-3205(89)90551-1

Abstract
The binding of iron to transferrin was studied by loading iron (III) onto apotransferrin in a chloride and a nitrilotriacetate form. When magnesium was added, a marked increase occurred in both the rate of iron binding and the maximum level of iron loaded on transferrin utilizing either iron salt. In the absence of magnesium the amount of iron required to achieve 50 percent saturation of the binding sites was 1.6 x 10(-4) M, whereas when magnesium was added, only about one-third as much iron (0.54 x 10(-4) M) was required. These data suggest an allosteric effect on transferrin by magnesium which potentiates iron (III) binding.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2927254/

Magnesium supplemented at about 20g of mag oxide a day.
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[CanteringCarrot]

Liver is fine.

Ok.

 

[PurBee]

Magnesium supplemented at about 20g of mag oxide a day.
.

Sounds like a good amount.

Have any bloods been tested for infection/inflammation? Sometimes low serum iron with high storage may indicate infection/inflammation.

 

[ycbm]

Sounds like a good amount.

Have any bloods been tested for infection/inflammation? Sometimes low serum iron with high storage may indicate infection/inflammation.

About 2 months back he had an acute inflammatory episode that was over by the time we tested, according to the vet. He was UV intolerant for a short time. We think due to a food allergy, the Wiesencobs that you helped me with on another thread. He is very intolerant of legumes.

It sounds like this might be a hangover from that?
.

 

[PurBee]

About 2 months back he had an acute inflammatory episode that was over by the time we tested, according to the vet. He was UV intolerant for a short time. We think due to a food allergy, the Wiesencobs that you helped me with on another thread. He is very intolerant of legumes.

It sounds like this might be a hangover from that?
.

I remember that now - it possibly could be due to that, and take a while for the system to really get back to normal. I’d likely give it another 8 -12 weeks and re-test iron in the new year, just out of curiosity.
My geldings photosensitivity acute phase lasted 2 weeks, but it took a fair few weeks after that for him to seem his normal self.

If it was some ongoing issue lurking they’d be symptoms, especially as you ride him, his energy levels would be lower, not as responsive, change of behaviour etc, as youve had liver tested too and clear, its likely remnants of the recent past intolerance.

Iron levels in humans can take a fair few weeks/months to bring to balance , with supplementation iron for anemia for example. Its not a mineral thats rapidly uptaken or excreted, hence why serious chelation agents/blood-letting or blood transfusions are employed for extremely life-threatening low/high iron levels. Unlike other minerals which are absorbed/excreted more easily.