Ferritin is 2!

[MegCleary]

Uh oh

[RockinD]

What's the reference range?

What's your doc doing about it?

[DoristheCamel]

Um I was 6 a few months ago and on the verge of being hospitalised.

You must be feeling terrible. Are you at home or in hospital?

Have you got any meds? Do you have a treatment plan?

I am still recovering but have managed to raise my level to 18 on 10 weeks. I still have symptoms and am not quire myself but am definately functioning better than I was.

[MegCleary]

15-150 norm, feel wrecked very weepy too. Seeing GP Tuesday and take it from there.

[bigbutsrus1]

Mine was 2 about 2.5 years ago. They put it down yo having two children close together and heavy periods. I took 3 ferrous sulphate tabs a day with no side effects! Now ferritin runs between 15-30 if I have it checked. They did do loads of other tests to check other illnesses that can effect absorption etc. I had 6 weeks off work as couldn't function properly or think clearly. Hope you get it sorted

[MissSmiley]

Mine is 9 and I feel rubbish. I had iron infusions last year and it went up to over 100 and I felt fantastic. Heavy periods are getting the blame. I can't tolerate iron tablets as they give me terrible runs so I'm after some more infusions. Needs a plan to get rid of the periods first though.

Originally mine was low due to undiagnosed coeliac disease.

Hope you feel better soon. Why did they test it?

[MegCleary]

Mine has been low in the past and I get weepy and can't cope with things. So in April it was 17, been feeling crap for weeks some flash of insight made me ask to get it checked and hey ho.

[RockinD]

Press for infusions in the first instance. You are well below range and this shouldn't be ignored. Ferritin supports other processes in the body and to do that efficiently it needs to be about mid-range.

Then your doctor needs to investigate why your levels have got so low. In my case it was heavy and lengthy periods. I struggle with any form of oral iron supplement and it took me 4 years to raise my levels.

Don't let the NHS make you suffer like I did.

[MegCleary]

Was going to ask for infusion, then work on maintainance. I know if you read the symptoms of anything then you have them. But I have been dizzy, very tired, restless legs most nights, forgetful, and my mood is dreadful, I am having a stressful time at work but now I burst into tears at everything. Not good.

[dottyaboutstripes]

Mine was 2 when tested last year. I had investigations and a cause was never found. It was I think 10 or maybe 12 last time I was tested and my GP told me to take a multivitamin with iron every day for the rest of my life and I would be ok!
I've recently moved so am going to see a new dr to see how things stand especially as I'm feeling dire again but no one ever mentioned infusions. Is it normal to have an infusion?

[MegCleary]

No idea if It's normal to have a transfusion but I need something!

[spiderlight]

I was given a two-unit transfusion and kept in hospital with ferritin of 6 and was tachycardic barely able to stand. You must be feeling dreadful! Hope they get to the bottom of it soon.

[MegCleary]

Spiderlight What Was your hb? Mine is 9.7.

[RockinD]

Here your Hb would be below range as well. If both your Hb and your ferritin are below range, you are potentially in some trouble, because if your body needs iron, there's not enough going round in the blood and not enough in store.

Please do not let your doc fob you off with ferrous sulphate tablets. If both are below range you need an urgent referral to a haematologist.

[goodasitgets]

Can I ask what iron saturation means? My ferritin is 64 ug/L, iron level 10 umol/L and iron saturation 15% (says should be 25% plus)

[MegCleary]

I was wondering if I would be poorly thought of if I was signed off sick?

[orangeplum]

I was signed off for 2 weeks with similar levels to you. Your body needs the chance to get better rather than just coping.

Take the time to get better.

[MegCleary]

GP Said to go on mini pill, take the iron and two weeks off.

[RockinD]

Take the mini pill? I suppose he’s thinking that will stop you bleeding. However, that’s a bit of a cop out if you don’t want really want to go on the mini pill. Were you below range? What iron has he given you? Did you ask about infusions? Raising very low levels can take years with oral supplements.

[ballofworry]

my ferritin was 9 few months back and HB 24 , went on iron and bought it back up , now few months off pills i still feel rubbish , tired , fogy thinking , anxiety and tearful , its grim , hope you get some answers soon and some iron tablets to help .

[MegCleary]

Not keen on the pill but need to do something, if pill doesn't work then the coil, not keen on that either, but I suppose I must go through the options to find one that suits.
No infusions, liquid iron if I really can't tolerate the ferrous glauconate one three times a day.

Ferritin 2 hb 9.7.
She said take less iron if I was struggling with side effects.
Felt dreadful asking for some time off despite my saying I was crying all the time at work had terrible concentration, she was quite dismissive.

[RockinD]

I think you need another doctor - one who will refer you to haematology so you can be stabilised.

NICE guidelines here:

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-iron-deficiency#!scenariorecommendation:5

If you struggle with oral iron she should refer.

[MegCleary]

Am tempted To get retest before going back to work, no point going back when things not improving and continuing to be shit at work.

[MegCleary]

Had Occupational health call today and she advised more time off to get better now have to brave the gp.

[Ostagazuzulum]

Reading through this as ferritin levels are 9 and doctors done nothing for 6 months