Dd blood test results ferratin 32 can anyone put this into context please

[DrasticAction]

Her blood tests have comeback normal but I'm struggling to read them.

It says ferratin 32 and then 30-250 which I assume is the range?

If that is the range would anyone say they are on the lower side and should I give her an gentle iron supplement?

@Nathroom
Thank you, it's gcse year and I'm also concerned about the time it takes to build things up.
I suspect the doc said all is well because they don't get iron issues because it's a female issue

That's within the normal range. Ferritin is the iron store anyway. It's the Hemoglobin level which determines if you are anemic.
With normal levels I would say try dietary changes first as iron supplements can make people feel quite sick, constipated and unwell.
She could try eating more good quality meat and green vegetables. Vitamin C from fruit or veg (or a small glass of orange juice before a meal) will help her absorb the iron.
Check them again in 6 months and if they have fallen then think about a supplement.

Unlikely. Iron supplements can have some nasty side effects & should be only used short term eg under 6 months. I was prescribed them for years & ended up with an intolerance. They had inflamed my gut to the point I was in hospital.

Try the diet changes first. Eat more iron. Vitamin c will help with absorption.

Yes it's low and give her a supplement.
I felt dreadful during perimenopause because of heavy periods and had a level of 16 when the lower limit of the range was 12. If she has heavy periods it might be worth seeing if she can have something to make them less so.

I take a supplement called Hemaplex.

I'm surprised they gave you a prescription - I was on ferrous sulphate and just bought mine over the counter at the pharmacy, it was only a couple of pounds for 200 tablets

For low ferritin I have been given ferrous fumarte and folic acid.

Please do supplement her.

I was also losing my hair in clumps which is why I asked to be tested and this came back as the issue, but, it's because I have Coeliacs (which was a shock) that my ferritin had dipped so badly as I do not absorb anything currently.

Folic acid will also help. I have low ferritin and my doc prescribed me high dose folic acid for it. I also now take a multi vit with iron in. It has helped a bit but I think I might have to up my vit C to help with my absorption.

It can be hard to absorb so getting one with added vitamin C can help. Also constipation is a real problem with taking iron supplements. I find taking magnesium at night helps.

Floradix is gentle on the stomach and doesn't cause constipation.

@BigFatCat2024 they just prescribed, it was years ago so I’m guessing guidelines have changed significantly. I do buy my own iron now and have done for a few years.

@Serencwtch I was prescribed them for over a decade! The receptionist could only see back 13 years due to a change in their computers.

My ferritin is lower now than pre hysterectomy, I can’t get any Dr to care why that might be, so I just keep taking it and trying to get my levels up.

@DrasticAction In my area the range actually starts at 10. Mine is 10.2 so technically I do not have low ferritin. But I have decided to supplement anyway. My GP's look for reasons to save costs and saying things are normal saves them a prescription cost.

@manipulatrice thank you.

She also has sudden and now on going constipation issues

My issue was also always constipation as well as bloating, fatigue and headaches.
The low ferritin made me dizzy and have heart fluttering.

Wouldn't hurt to ask for her to be tested, they don't do it as standard.

@manipulatrice I think we had blood tests for that a while ago but I've only just asked for rhe results... Which everything else shows good except that ferratin

When younger, l had low ferritin and folate. I ate all the recommended foods to get them raised. Haemoglobin level was good., but nothing l did would raise ferritin and folate. I felt well and had no other symptoms.
Later on, Haemoglobin dropped and l got anaemic. It was Coeliac, like PP. All fine after gluten free diet.

Dd1 got her blood test results today and was just told it’s normal. They should give the range so she can work out if she should supplement. It’s annoyed me.

I'm wondering if I'm suffering from coeliac too, had loads of other tests and nothing has come back yet which is a great relief but still not sure what's wrong. Frustrating! Would be almost relieved to hear I had coeliac as I could do something about it.

Deffo ask for that specific test. You can be a silent coeliac which is what I was. It's not routinely tested.

My own real symptoms were from the ferritin and folate issues, other than that it was just really bad smelling wind!

@manipulatrice thank you so much.

Completely agree with everything @SecondUsername4me says