Restoring Iron Deficiency to Expand Blood Volume and Improve POTS
People with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) often have low red blood cell volumes and low ferritin in their blood (a marker of iron storage in the body). The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate whether giving iron to people with POTS who have low ferritin levels will increase the red blood cell volume and improve POTS symptoms.
• Age 18-45 years old.
• Diagnosis of POTS, defined by a sustained heart rate increase of at least 30 bpm within 10 min of standing or head-up tilt (or absolute upright heart rate \>120 bpm), in the absence of orthostatic hypotension, and with at least 3 months of symptoms of orthostatic intolerance.
• Absence of other diseases or medications that can explain orthostatic tachycardia or symptoms.
• Serum ferritin \<50 ng/ml.
• Patients on fludrocortisone will be allowed to participate as long as they have been on the same dose for at least one month before enrollment and continue on the same dose throughout the study.