I did indeed bleed and chelate myself into a brief iron deficiency. It was no big deal, & once I realized what was going on, a brief respite from my bloodletting brought swift recovery. Rapid pulse, exercise intolerance, and fatigue are the symptoms. This never became a big issue, as it only takes a brief break in iron reduction for a full recovery. I had actually pulled my ferritin down into the teens for a few months.
Studies with hemochromatosis patients have shown that simply lowering iron to within "normal" ranges will not effectively pull iron out of tissues. The body will always utilize available iron in blood ferritin to generate new red cells, leaving tissue iron untouched.
It is only when ferritin is lowered to around 50, that the body starts "mining" iron out of tissues, & most hemochromatosis protocols recommend keeping ferritin at 50 for at least a year to insure tissue iron had been effectively lowered.
My ferritin used to quickly "rebound" after donating, indicating plenty of tissue iron was available, & it indeed took a year or so before this stopped occurring.
I believe the hemochromatosis protocol is in fact remarkably accurate. Pull ferritin down to around 50 for a year, and your tissues will effectively be de-ironed.
I'm 62 years old, & have lived a rather bohemian lifestyle. Rather carnivorous and fond of beer (alcohol increases absorption of dietary iron). I have no chronic health issues, and my coworkers were surprised when I retired in October. No one knew I was in my 60s!
Iron homeostasis has been a fountain of youth for me. Very little to lose by trying this, and perhaps much to gain! Some of my rants on "Ferrotoxic Disease" here:
https://www.longecit...isease-omnibus/
Stay Healthy my friend!
Edited by Dorian Grey, 05 February 2019 - 09:24 AM.