Chronically low ferritin levels - what were your symptoms ?

[Katharinblum]

Found out I was anaemic and had very low ferritin levels (5) in 2018. Had a 2 week course of iron tablets, also improved my diet massively and it climbed to the dizzy heights of 7
Am now on a 3 month course of iron tablets at a much higher dose (320mg). My blood count is now normal but presume my iron stores are still lowish as I believe the tablets take a while to kick in. Starting to feel so much better now, I just didn’t realise how tired and under the weather I’d been feeling, palpitations, tiny bit more short of breath, even depressed and having funny anxiety attacks which I’ve never been prone to. Out of interest just wondered what symptoms others had experienced as I probably would never have known if I’d not had blood taken ?

I had mine tested last year & was 16

• my hair had been falling out which was something I didn't know was linked. My levels have come up to 31 after 2 prescriptions, but re-testing next month.

Did they check your B12, folate and D3 too? Mine were all low. Also, did they do a full iron panel? Thyroid?

Thanks for answering queenofoversharing I lost hair and it also was constantly breaking off. Not sure re folate etc will check with gp. I did wonder about thyroid as have lost a bit of weight recently and am hot alot of the time.

I have low ferritin thanks to ulcerative colitis. Even when I'm taking iron, I'm exactly the same as you - tired, dizzy, anxious, losing hair, vague fluttery palpitations, weird spaced-out head. It's horrible :( I had a transfusion when it was at its lowest (I forget the exact number but there was great excitement when after two units of blood it got to 12). I find liquid supplements like floradix or ferroglobin better than tablets.

Thanks spider hope you’re feeling better now

I had the same dizziness, shortness of breath and low mood.
Then dry skin, tingly lips and really cracked skin on my thumbs and heels!
I didn’t put all these symptoms together until after the blood test. Was constantly tired too.
I found a B12 spray was an absolute godsend: worked quicker than anything else and I really notice if I haven’t taken it in a few days.