Low iron - levels 11?

[headsamesss]

I think that's what the midwife said it was, I was told my iron was low at 28 weeks bloods, I'm now 35+4 and really feeling it.
I feel pissed almost ? Like that woozy feeling you get, very breathless, restless legs but I know that's just part of pregnancy so is the breathlessness.
I'm tired, it kills me walking up the stairs, chasing s toddler round doesn't help. Some mornings I don't feel rested at all (which I'm not really with multiple toilet trips in the night) but I mean, hit by a train exhausted.

Anyway, what's this number 11 all about ? Apparently borderline so nothing bad.
She said I don't need supplements because the side effects are horrible and to just keep taking pregnacare and eat iron rich foods, but I don't feel any better to be honest . Do I need to contact the gp and get some proper iron supplements ?

These supplements don’t give horrible side effects.
I was just posting on another thread that a midwife on here recommends them to her pregnant ladies as they have better bioavailability than other tablets. If 11 is your ferritin level than I’m not surprised you feel awful.
These increased my iron levels better than the tablets the GP prescribed.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vitality-Bioresearch-Iron-Bisglycinate/dp/B08SKKL9TS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=PYJAEHLFMYND&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MLPkOyEGpHClxjH0iYu_3ySCCJR570KAn_U6grk7XzfnSmu4qCq1NqMM3MApOuoWDi_VDpYUMB0S2_gjaxlN09EnaQU8wBbWJYZsq2e5CqNQTr25rbiC_ik-viOoQJfJx04MylCM_gVRetL7-jo0Z7h3Ua8LjCKAI6s2ou0SXEa8xL66hBrEbSvty7XWxQ2YQQlnxqWBcOH7lF2zufyWcoC31WUb9KZHzRujkrS_xkE.Ie4bUKN806gbBF4b-6sUxN03L5SKjjd23o7FrccE_kk&dib_tag=se&keywords=iron+bisglycinate&qid=1705480410&sprefix=Iron+bisgly%2Caps%2C469&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Ahh thank you. I have just added those to my basket !
Is 11 bad then ? What is the normal range do you know ?

Should be above 30

Mine was 19 but they wouldn’t give me any tablets because even though it’s low and I have bad symptoms, it’s still within range so they didn’t treat it. I had to order stuff myself online. I think 11 is too low, no wonder you’re feeling so tired. Definitely go back and ask for something

Our lab class anything over 15 as ‘normal’, lab values depend on the equipment though, so lab reference ranges vary.
Nice guidelines say to treat if under 30.

Mine were 6 managed to get it to 19 with prescription iron but not allowed anymore as I am told it is 'normal'.
I am supplementing myself as I feel better when it is higher.
I think women should naturally need to have a higher iron particularly if you are child bearing age, But what do I know?
Hope you manage to get it sorted and feel better soon, it is horrible.

It really sounds like you need iron tablets. The side effects are possibly constipation so just make sure you eat some extra fruit and veg.

There are 2 different levels - haemoglobin and ferritin. I’m guessing this is your hb (that’s what I had measured when pregnant. If you have badger notes it will tell you on there).

hb should be between 12-16.

You need to have a 12 level to give blood (to compensate for the loss).
That's also wise for labour as you may haemorrhage as I did. I went into labour with a level 9 the first time though, ended up 4 after and had to have blood transfusions.
I made sure this didn't happen the second time around by taking supplements.
Good luck.

Unfortunately don't have badger notes this time as with a different trust so I can't check anything myself which is annoying.

I have such bad constipation already so that will be something else to look forward to 😆
Yep I'm absolutely shattered, really struggling especially as I'm probably the biggest I'll be now bump wise.

So I'm okay to just go ahead and get my own tablets, all fine in pregnancy, any dosage I mean ?

Also, I'm having a c section, will my iron levels affect that in any way ?

Floradix is a gentle iron supplement and recommended to me by my midwives.