How low does your ferritin level have to be before you need medication?

[Crunchymum]

Just that really.

Mine is 10, but no-one has contacted me about it? (Test was ordered by rheumatology nurse but said if anything flagged it would be GP who'd call)

Mine was 10, GP called & put me on supplements. Didn't tolerate them well, got help here, I took 1 every other day in the morning. Much better.

Eat black pudding now!

I think normal levels are 50-150 of whatever the units are.

Mine were < 5 when I saw my GP because I was so tired.

I was 11 and the doctor told me to take supplements which I’ve been doing

Mine was:
Serum ferritin level (XE24r) 8.5 ng/ml
And I was prescribed:
Ferrous sulfate 200mg tablets - 84 tablet - Take ONE tablet ONCE daily

I then brought another 4m worth OTC and have just finished taking them.

Haven't had repeat bloods to check current levels, but am no longer menstruating due to mirena implant.

Mine recently was 9 when just under a month ago it was 17 and I have just had my first of two iron infusions. Prior to that I have been contacted by the gp after the first time I had it checked and it was 9 then, and last Sept when it was the lowest it's been at 3. I don't tolerate iron tablets in any form so not an option for me. I would give them a call

Mine went down to 3 and still my gp did nothing. I could barely climb the stairs. I ended up needing iron infusions.
GPs are crap when it comes to anaemia and iron deficiency.
Push at it and don’t let them rob you off.

Different laboratories have different normal ranges. You would need to find what your normal range is OP.
I imagine if they haven’t contacted you they aren’t concerned.
You can’t compare with people on MN as their laboratories normal range could be completely different eg one lab could be 10-50, another’s could be 150-500.
Nothing to stop you buying some iron over the counter or increasing the iron in your diet.

https://www.rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/publications/pub-007460

There is a link here to the royal college of nursing guidance which gives guidance on this.

Both my sister and I had our ferritin levels checked. Mine was lower than hers but she was given treatment while I was not. Illustrates why it can be a post code lottery. But any doctor should respect this source.

Normal range is 13-150 ug/L and mine is 10, so low.

My iron level and total iron binding capacity have been flagged as high so I guess I need someone to explain the overall picture to me. I'll book a GP appointment, thanks.

Mine was 11 and my GP didn't give a fuck.

Bought OTC iron. No idea what it is now.