I think my iron levels are low but my GP disagrees - wwyd?

[JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff]

I lead a very active and healthy lifestyle and generally have lots of energy. However recently my hair has started to fall out and I do feel tired and a bit emotional esp in the evenings.

Based on MN advice (thank you!) I booked a GP appt and was pleasantly surprised to be taken seriously. The GP immediately said, might be low ferritin. She ordered full bloods.

Thing is, these have come back now and my ferritin is 18ug/L whereas it describes the normal range as 11-307. These results are flagged as normal, no follow up required.

I can obviously see this technically is in the "normal" range, but it also feels like it's right at the bottom of a very big range.

In this situation, would you pursue? Try to supplement naturally? Or just leave?

The guidelines are now that it should be at least 30, so no, you are nowhere near the normal range. My DDs GP told her that it should be above 70, as did my trichologist. Mine seems to range from 20-30 and I am very tired with hair issues, so taking supplements now.

When mine was 13 (and guidelines were 15 for my authority) the test was marked as borderline no action necessary!

You need a really good Dr to take it seriously.

@ProfessorBinturong I was told mine were on the lower side at 28 and I felt dreadful on that .

Hi everyone, glad this thread has helped people. @FallenNight update with your results if you're happy to?

I definitely feel better. I did a 21km run just before I got my results and fell asleep on the floor after! Now 4ish weeks on, I did 17.5km this morning and have felt fine all day.

I really do think it's starting to have an effect.

That's great news, OP. Could I ask what strength tablets you're taking and if it's every day?
My level is down to 7.5 - have been sent for more tests which I'm having soon. in the meantime I'm taking gentle iron (which is only 20mg) and my GP has said to take it every other day with lactoferrin on the in-between days. I'd like to try something stronger but am worried how it'll impact my gastritis - I guess worth just trying.
Anyway, I hope you continue to experience an upward trajectory.

Thanks to this thread and the really helpful people who posted that hair doesn’t grow unless it’s above 75 I had an iron infusion on Saturday (which I paid for myself at £140). I had no issues, no staining or pain etc.

My ferritin had been 38 last October, 8 months of taking ferrous fumerate only got it to 60 so it was definitely necessary. I’m peri and was having pretty heavy bleeding so that’s probably why.

That is great news 😊

Can I ask where you arranged an infusion? I have been quoted upwards of £800+ ☹️

Local beauty salon that do IV and IM treatments. I’m in London so loads of places do them.

Could you say what area of London? I'm also seeing £600+ for London so am surprised to read £140.
TBH I'd be worried about standards at a beauty salon but I am an anxious person.

@LaurieFairyCake sorry ignore my question above. I've done some more googling and found more options.

Great you’ve found some more options 😊

I use Craft Academy in Blackheath. It’s a training academy for aesthetics. I didn’t have a training spot for the IV infusion, their normal price is £140. You can book through Treatwell.

I am taking the standard Floridyx and yes every day. I was also sold ferrous fumarate but think the other is doing a job.

I had a blood test today, came back this evening. They didn't check ferritin levels. 😖

I think when you are comparing the prices at various places, you also need to check the dose. Some of the cheaper ones are a smaller dose (which might be ideal for some people) and can be done more often, whereas some of the more expensive ones are the ones where you have the whole 1000mg (or whatever is prescribed) in one go. (And of course different products are available, which suit different people, different risk profiles/side effects etc).