Anyone else regularly have low ferritin / iron

[Candolim97]

I’m so used to being low in iron, I don’t tend to notice until I have another blood test (usually for something else)

I have always been told by GP/nurse, oh it must be your periods and given those awful iron supplements. I finish the course, get another blood test and my iron levels will temporarily be fine but after a while I’ll inevitably become deficient again

I don’t think I have heavy periods at all, I never have a problem with leaking, only last 3 days
I eat well, including foods which have iron etc

Is this simply more common with women as my Mum has also been anaemic but my brother or Dad haven’t

Me but i also have incredibly heavy periods. My ferritin is currently 15 and i feel horrendous but there are other health issues contributing

I do. Had to have an iron infusion during my 2nd pregnancy.

Can't stomach those tablets so take spatone everyday although this is not really enough. Also had B12 injections recently as blood tests showed this was low.

I think some people just can't retain it in their bodies. I had a full hysterectomy nearly 3 years ago, partly due to such heavy periods and although I am definitely much better, I still have low iron.

Me!
I’m exactly like you, OP.
I don’t ‘know’ I’m anaemic until I get blood work results. But I do know that I am chronically anaemic.
At 46, my periods are no heavier, longer, or even shorter than they were at 26.
I do feel perpetually ‘lo-fi’.
I’m low energy, slow burn, and physically a bit under par at all times.
I have incomplete Lupus- so my whole system isn’t affected. I hardly notice it but I’m always a bit ‘jointy’ and tired. Lupus and anaemia are good bedfellows.

You may have an underlying condition but probably not. I haven’t found the magic bullet.
I really envy my high octane neighbour who will teach sewing to a group at 10am, plan a catering menu for 100 at midday, then go to suppliers, follow this up with a good browse around TK Maxx, pick up child from school at 3:30pm with like 3 other friends for tea, then go out in the evening for cocktails.

I have this weird idolisation of her from my chronically tired sidelines.

After decades of anaemia showing up every time I had a blood test and it being put down to heavy periods I got a new GP. I can't tolerate iron tablets and no privately bought liquid helped so she recommended me for ferritin infusion and wow what a difference to my energy levels and quality of sleep and aches and pains. So now I have an infusion every 6 months and it's all good. I am so grateful to that GP

The consultant Haemotologist at the hospital who deals with my infusion prescription thinks more women would benefit and considers the cost as relatively reasonable relative to benefit. But GPs don't refer to her often enough in my Haem consultant's opinion.

Camperdine I'm like that. Chronically low iron, periodic tablet course, then low again. Now get B12 injections every 3 months too as that was quite badly insufficient. I think i may have hED as i've been on crutches for 10 years due to joint pain (with lots of cocodamol).
Sooooo tired. Yet wide awake most of night despite CPAP machine.