Iron Supplements for Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder that has been associated with a number of other medical conditions. One of these, according to the Mayo Clinic, is iron deficiency, and iron supplementation may be necessary for some people with the syndrome.

Features

People who have a history of stomach or bowel bleeding, have heavy periods or regularly donate blood may be at risk for iron deficiency, which may contribute to the development of restless legs syndrome, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Considerations

It is not known whether iron deficiency and other conditions directly cause restless legs syndrome, although they appear to trigger and worsen symptoms, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Treatment

Ferrous sulfate is given as an iron supplement to people with restless legs syndrome who have a serum ferritin level lower than 50 nanograms per milliliter, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Considerations

Correcting iron deficiency can take several months, and some people may respond poorly to treatment, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Potential

Many people with iron deficiency and restless legs syndrome experience improvement of the leg symptoms after treatment with iron supplements, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

References

• Mayo Clinic,com: Restless Legs Syndrome
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet
• American Academy of Family Physicians: "American Family Physician: Restless Legs Syndrome: Detection and Management in Primary Care;" July 1, 2000