Restless legs

Restless legs syndrome is a common neurological condition: an overwhelming urge to move the legs, often with an unpleasant crawling, tingling or aching feeling deep in the legs. Three features are characteristic — it is worse at rest, worse in the evening or night, and relieved by moving. By disrupting sleep it can cause significant daytime tiredness. Many cases are 'primary' (often running in families), but an important share are linked to low body iron stores, which affect the brain's dopamine system — and here ferritin is the key test, because iron can be low enough to matter even without anaemia. Other associations include kidney disease, pregnancy, diabetes-related nerve changes, and some medications (certain antidepressants, antihistamines and anti-nausea drugs). Identifying a treatable driver, especially iron, can markedly improve it.

• Iron deficiency — low iron stores (a low-normal ferritin still counts); the most important treatable cause.
• Primary / familial restless legs — no underlying cause, often genetic.
• Pregnancy — common, especially in the third trimester; usually settles after birth.
• Chronic kidney disease — a recognised association.
• Medications — some antidepressants (SSRIs), antihistamines, anti-nausea and antipsychotic drugs.
• Peripheral neuropathy, diabetes.
• Caffeine, alcohol and nicotine — can worsen it.

The single most useful test is ferritin, because low iron stores are a common and correctable cause, and treatment is guided by aiming for a ferritin comfortably above the low-normal cut-off — not just avoiding anaemia. A full blood count, kidney function and TSH round out the search for the recognised associations (anaemia, kidney disease, thyroid), and glucose if neuropathy is a possibility. A medication review often reveals a contributing drug. Mediora.AI surfaces the ferritin, iron and kidney/thyroid pattern from your results, highlighting a low or low-normal ferritin that could be driving symptoms; the diagnosis and treatment belong with your doctor.