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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to request an earlier GP appointment- low ferritin

86 replies

HariboFrenzy · 29/04/2026 16:00

Recently had blood tests and though haemoglobin fine MCH, MCHC and ferritin were out of range (below). Ferritin is 12. Had a message from GP for telephone appointment on 22nd May.

Thing is I feel like utter shite. I'm carer to a young child with complex needs and really struggling.

AIBU to request an appointment sooner?

OP posts:
Original poster
HariboFrenzy · 29/04/2026 19:31

@Nowmum43 I hear you! I'd love to wake up feeling refreshed! With a non sleeping autistic child that's unlikely even with optimal bloods sadly 😂
Best of luck with the GCSE exams, its stressful at the best of times never mind with additional needs

OP posts:
TurquoiseDress · 29/04/2026 19:28

Go and speak with a pharmacist or order them via online pharmacy- I wouldn’t just wait for the GP appointment

Something you could do to help yourself right now is to buy some over the counter iron supplements

Also think about how you can increase iron in your diet too

Original poster
HariboFrenzy · 29/04/2026 19:26

@TurquoiseDress yeah it has been 9 in the past and was prescribed it then but can't remember now what the dose was or how long i took it for. I'm assuming the telephone appointment is to prescribe but maybe not.

OP posts:
TurquoiseDress · 29/04/2026 19:25

Apparently ferrous fumarate is better tolerated than ferrous sulphate- based on what friends have said

Nowmum43 · 29/04/2026 19:24

@HariboFrenzyI have a B12 injections too, I need to book back into doctors to check HRT!
im possibly putting it down to being a working mum with 2 teens (one who is autistic and heading for GCSE’s) and life being hectic and a bit shit 😂
I would love one day to wake up not feeling like I’ve drunk 15 pints the night before!

TurquoiseDress · 29/04/2026 19:23

With that ferritin level you could take over the counter supplements

If it was much lower ie single figures then I think the GP would prescribe ferrous sulphate/similar for you

AmberOtter · 29/04/2026 19:20

As you’re symptomatic with a high heart rate (which can cause other issues i would imagine!) i would definitely try and get an earlier appointment.

Original poster
HariboFrenzy · 29/04/2026 19:18

@user1471453601 that must have been scary. I hope you're ok now. Yes I'm sure, I have a pulse oximeter and measured it on that. We took it to hospital with one of our kids earlier in the year and it was giving the same readings as the hospital ones.

OP posts:
AmberOtter · 29/04/2026 19:13

@HariboFrenzy HB is 112 slightly low but essentially normal. Having an urgent CT scan as they think the low ferritin is being caused by a bowel issue. I suppose something is happen but it’s very frustrating day to day.

user1471453601 · 29/04/2026 19:13

HariboFrenzy · 29/04/2026 16:28

I'm not sure that you can buy iron supplements in the strength that the GP would prescribe? I guess it might be worth seeing a pharmacist. I'm getting regular heart palpitations of over 150bpm at rest, have a constant headache and just generally feel exhausted 😩

Show quote history

And you are sure your testing heart rate is 150bpm? That's way into the rate classed as tachycardia. A couple of months ago I was in the resuscitation unit with a heart rate of 120bpm. So if be more worried about that.

to be fair, as well as a high heart rate I also had a falling temp and falling blood pressure.

Original poster
HariboFrenzy · 29/04/2026 19:09

@TheBlueKoala because they're not ferrous fumarate for a start? Sorry, I know I'm sounding snippy (irritability clearly another symptom) thanks for posting the link but it doesn't look like the right thing.

OP posts:
Thecows · 29/04/2026 19:06

Medino on line. I buy ferrous fumerate in tablet form, think they're 310mg each. No prescription required.

Original poster
HariboFrenzy · 29/04/2026 19:06

@AmberOtter 5!! That's awful! Is your haemoglobin normal and that's why they are making you wait? My legs hurt when I'm walking the dog. Feels like im walking through thigh high wet sand. The rest of the time they're not too bad though.

OP posts:
TheBlueKoala · 29/04/2026 19:06

I really don't understand @HariboFrenzy. You just tap iron tablets and take a pick. It's not rocket science.

AmberOtter · 29/04/2026 19:02

i’m in the same boat! have a terrain level of 5 and feel like death! can’t get an appointment until the end of may. I have gone and bought ferrous fumerate with no issues! Sympathy, i know how rough it makes you feel. I’m so tired and the pain in my legs is horrible.

Original poster
HariboFrenzy · 29/04/2026 18:59

@BlueMum16 I already tried this. The pharmacist spotted that the GP has booked an appointment and wasn't prepared to sell them when I need to see the GP

OP posts:
Original poster
HariboFrenzy · 29/04/2026 18:58

Reportingfromwherever · 29/04/2026 18:54

Exactly. It really isn’t difficult.

Show quote history

Wow, thanks for your super helpful reply 🙄

As the pharmacist I spoke to said, its not unusual to want to know the strength, dosage and duration that the GP feels is appropriate. But yeah, it's not hard 👍

OP posts:
BlueMum16 · 29/04/2026 18:54

You can buy prescription level iron from the pharmacy. Take your NHS app and show them your results.

We buy from Asda pharmacy for DD without issue Cheaper than a prescription too.

Reportingfromwherever · 29/04/2026 18:54

sunshinehappydays · 29/04/2026 17:51

You can buy these online just now and get them delivered by Friday. Alternatively just go to another pharmacy and say you’re buying them for someone wise and you don’t know the details. I’m a hospital pharmacist and kind of understand that a community pharmacy might be reluctant to sell if you are still under GP investigations. The less you tell them the better!
https://www.chemist-4-u.com/ferrous-fumarate-210mg-84-tablets

Exactly. It really isn’t difficult.

Original poster
HariboFrenzy · 29/04/2026 18:53

@TheBlueKoala have you got a link? I can't find ferrous fumarate on amazon

OP posts:
TheBlueKoala · 29/04/2026 18:51

HariboFrenzy · 29/04/2026 18:00

Oh no @Nowmum43 😩Cpukd there be a different reason you still feel rubbish? I was pinning my hopes on feeling like a new woman after a few weeks of supplements!

You can buy it on Amazon 🤷‍♀️ no need for a prescription

Original poster
HariboFrenzy · 29/04/2026 18:00

Oh no @Nowmum43 😩Cpukd there be a different reason you still feel rubbish? I was pinning my hopes on feeling like a new woman after a few weeks of supplements!

OP posts:
Nowmum43 · 29/04/2026 17:56

i have been anemic for about 4 years now, can’t take iron as it makes me really unwell! Took me 2 years to beg for an iron infusion which a wonderful doctor got me booked in for, had that 5 weeks ago. Level now at 120 and I still feel mostly crap 😂
I hope you get something sorted soon that make you feel better 💐

sunshinehappydays · 29/04/2026 17:51

You can buy these online just now and get them delivered by Friday. Alternatively just go to another pharmacy and say you’re buying them for someone wise and you don’t know the details. I’m a hospital pharmacist and kind of understand that a community pharmacy might be reluctant to sell if you are still under GP investigations. The less you tell them the better!
https://www.chemist-4-u.com/ferrous-fumarate-210mg-84-tablets