For wanting an iron transfusion now

I know my GP would look at the history, see that oral options aren't suitable, that a transfusion worked well previously, and just go that route again.

I can see the sense in trying the oral route first, but theres absolutely no logic to them insisting on that again given the know you're fine with an iron transfusion previously and the oral option doesn't work for you.

You may need to remind them of these details of course!

I think I paid around £750.

I'm in a similar situation. My ferritin has been around 9 for years.

Can't stomach oral iron, have had stuff like celiac ruled out as I am also deficoent in b12.

My fatigue is awful and my life has changed so much because of how exhausted I feel all the time. Like I'm living in a vat treacle.

I'm curious how much a private infusion is but I probably can't afford it.

This. I think our treatment of women with iron deficiency is appalling.

14 is absolutely low.

I had a private iron infusion and it was so worth it (my ferritin was lower than yours, OP, Hb was similar). No regrets. Also got a Mirena and it helped hugely.

I’m just going off what my GP told me but she used to be in obstetrics and gynaecology. She said my levels of 23 fell within normal range but that for menstruating women that was often too low to feel normal and well.

I went on iron bisglycinate with vitamin C which made me much better and restored my levers to 140 before my next pregnancy.

she said the scale didn’t differentiate between genders. Perhaps that wasn’t truthful of her to say.

The clue here is in the words “my consultant”.

GPs can’t always refer for infusions in some areas. Where I work it has to be done via haematology, gastroenterology or oncology for example.

The NHS is utterly useless at treating anaemia and iron deficiency. They’d far rather you destroy your stomach with harsh tablets for months/years than give infusions which work really quickly.

I had a blood test in January after suffering from massive hair loss, extreme breathlessness, exhaustion, horrific itchy skin and constant mouth ulcers. My ferritin was 5 and my serum iron way below range. My GP marked my results as borderline and suggested I eat spinach!

I used my work private health insurance and spoke to a haematologist. She said even if I could tolerate tablets, which I can’t, I’d be looking at two years to reach optimal levels. With diet alone, it would be impossible.

I had an iron infusion in February and feel better than I have done in years.

Have you tried Iron bisglycinate, it is easier on the stomah. Also have you joined the Iron protocol facebook group? There are guides to read and lots of helpful advice if you ask for help.

Same as @ChillyBhere. My ferritin is 5 and haemoglobin 86. Been like this for 2 years. Tried so many types of different iron supplements but nothing works.

Finally got referred to gastro for an infusion - the average waiting time is 18 weeks.

My ferritin is currently 6. I was referred last month to haematology in the “hope” (gp’s words) they will give me an IV. I’ve been on iron tablets for 6 months. I have to wait until May for that appointment so I’d not get your hopes up for one immediately. (I’ve actually gone private but been advised to keep NHS appointment as they think I’ll need another).

I have endometriosis and my ferritin is around 4, I had the infusion twice and they didn't really last.

I get 6 monthly blood tests done, and 6 monthly endo internal scans done. It's pretty shite tbh!

My iron was 5. Before they agreed a infusion

I am apparently "a little anaemic" (I have chronic kidney disease and it showed up on my latest routine blood test). Apparently the iron level was OK but the haemoglobin was low. This has never been mentioned before but could explain why I’m getting so tired and easily breathless.

My consultant has ordered me an iron transfusion because he said they work better than taking tablets. So it can be done - it just needs a doctor with the will and authority to prescribe it. I hope you get sorted out soon.

Evidence please

I lost 2ltrs of blood during an emergency c section. That was August 2023. Felt horrendous. Couldn't lift baby bc ny arms were just too weak and I wanted to sleep all the time. Felt like I'd ran a marathon just walking into the kitchen. Went to gp & they took my blood
My iron level was at 2.
That was in Feb 2024 & they're still making me take iron & folic acid tablets now. It's never risen above 6 as my periods are horrendous too. Still won't give me friggin infusion.
Moved areas and under a new drd now. Going for chest xray & bloods took monday and appointment friday to discuss the results. Been a woman sucks

Mine was 11 and they wouldn't offer a transfusion. Try iron bisglynicate, it's not as harsh.

I felt exhausted and breathless with a ferritin level of 13 - I suspect it’s very individual. My GP wasn’t interested once a FIT test had come back clear.

I felt rough as guts at 20 back in summer last year. My heart rate was accelerating during exercise and I was finding lifting weights and HIIT really hard going, plus I was permanently exhausted. My doctor prescribed supplements after testing my ferritin.

My ferritin has been as low as 4 so it wasn’t a matter of it being my first rodeo with iron deficiency anemia. 14 IS low and not in range for our NHS area.

It varies enormously between people. I had ferritin of 8 and hb was 100, and I felt absolutely fine, not even slightly tired. Everybody is different, but the point is OP does feel terrible.

I'm quite surprised you're feeling that exhausted with a level of 14. Mine was 8 two years ago and yes, I felt tired, but I was still running 3x a week and living a completely normal life - I actually had no idea my ferritin was so low.

As you are feeling this awful though and you know how the last iron infusion made you feel, why not ask the GP if you can have one? The worst he can say is no. And if he does and you can afford it, get a private one. The Iron Clinic will give you one if your ferritin is below 30 and you've got recent blood tests to prove it https://www.theironclinic.com/

have you tried taking them every other day? That’s the advice now to minimise side effects
I take ferrous fumerate (can just buy it) with 1000mg vitamin C every other day and find it a lot better

Get some iron tablets from the pharmacy 🤷‍♀️ they aren’t as bad as the prescription ones I’ve found and also you should be taking them with vitamin c and b12 or there’s no point as it won’t be absorbed properly.
get your periods sorted out too asap as that is the cause of the anemia and once you’ve finished having children have a hysterectomy- best thing I ever did after a lifetime of iron levels down to 6 most of the time and infusions and blood transfusions regularly not working. You need to see someone to manage your hormones and probable endometriosis/adenymyosis as that is more than likely the cause of the excess bleeding

My ferritin is 12 , same as you I’ve been low forever and don’t absorb iron , had a transfusion 6 years ago and want another but gp explained the path to that is oral iron or liquid with gastric tablets for stomach, some investigation or to check you have no stomach bleeding then the haematologist can tick off their list that you’ve tried this and that and all investigations clear and you may get iron injections or a transfusion , just follow the steps and asked to be referred , other than that it’s private, I’ve never been able to absorb iron but my last transfusion I was between 2-4 so has to get pretty bad not that I don’t feel pretty bad atm but that’s the sad reality.

I can't do iron salts either, but had no trouble at all with iron bisglycinate. There's also ferric maltol. They are more bioavailable and easier to digest and therefore cause far fewer digestive problems.

Yes it would be nice if the NHS would give us iron infusions at a less depleted level. But they aren't going to change it for you, so you are going to have to help yourself. Try iron bisglycinate and ferric maltol, and take them first thing with orange juice, at least half an hour before you eat. Go for another ferritin test in two months or so and see what your levels are then. If they have stabilised/improved, great. If they haven't, you can say you have tried everything and an iron infusion is the only option.

Have you considered a Mirena coil , may possibly help with the period , reducing the anaemia , allowing you to build up levels again ?