Aibu to be worried about my iron levels

[Ffsjeez]

Got back the results of my blood test today. Ferritin levels are 19. I have had hair thinning for a while which is why I had them done. Receptionist told me when she gave me the results that this was normal and I was fine. I've booked in a appointment with my Gp. But I don't think she'll be particularly bothered either by it and not sure she will recommend any supplements.

I generally feel ok energy wise. Although I don't sleep great and tend to wake up most nights which I think might be due to anxiety. I can live with all this. But I am worried about my thinning hair and would like them to take it seriously. Don't think they will as even before my test my GP said it was probably not linked to my ferritin levels.

Just want to know how seriously I need to take these results.

I recently had mine tested it was 15.5 I'm 23 weeks pregnant, when I rang up the receptionist just said it was normal and I didn't query it. Maybe that's why I'm exhausted all the time if everyone is saying 19 is low. I hope the gp can help you with the hair thinning.

19 is way too low. the range is (depending in area) usually somewhere around 15-300. so yes, you are in range but just. Mine was just over 20. GP called me in. put me on iron supplements and told me to retest in 3 months. She wants my levels to be above 50 but ideally above 70.

if go tells you not to worry, get otc iron supplements (ferrous sulphate) and self medicate.

Hi,

A few years ago I visited the doctor because I was experiencing serious breathlessness. Any exertion, such as climbing the stairs or running for a train, would leave me gasping for air. I thought there must be some respiratory or heart problem. I also felt tired (which I put down to stress) and the tip of my tongue was sore (although this did not really worry me).

I had a blood test and the results showed I was quite severely anaemic. The anaemia had also resulted in a temporary change in the shape of my red blood cells, so it had been going on for some time.

The anaemia was caused through (stupid) changes I had made in my diet and was rectified by iron supplements and healthier eating.

I just thought I would add this message because I was not aware of the link between anaemia and the symptoms I experienced.

Haemoglobin doesn't test iron but anemia. It tests the number of red blood cells. Anemia is often the result of low iron, hence the link, but it is possible to have anemia for many other reasons. It is also possible to have low iron levels and normal haemoglobin. Ferritin is the most common 'iron' test.

19 is way too low
Not it isn't. It's on the low scale but not 'way too low'. I was functioning well when mine was above 15 and didn't feel that bad when it was 10. I did start to feel totally washed out when it went below 8. It really depends on the woman.

The anaemia had also resulted in a temporary change in the shape of my red blood cells, so it had been going on for some time
This is a good point. Anemia is not only defined by the number of the red blood cells but also the shape. I've had normal normal of red blood cells but very abnormal shapes (ie. much too big). This caused symptoms of anemia. This be caused by low vit B12 of B6 (folic acid).

don't start with spatone at to bring it up. not enough iron. you need iron tablets from the pharmacy (they are OtC) such as ferrous sulphate.

My doctor has had me do loads of expensive tests for my symptoms (breathlessness, tiredness, dizziness, hair loss) but insists that they aren't caused by a ferritin level of 12. This thread seems to suggest otherwise!

My ferritin level a month ago was 8 and my energy levels were low. I've been prescribed ferrous fumarate which I can tolerate 1 or 2 a day. (I'm supposed to take 2 consistently but it upsets my stomach if I do). I'm starting to feel much brighter.

I'm pregnant with twins and was miserably anaemic despite taking a lot of iron supplements for months. I had ferritin of 17 at 15 weeks and it dropped to 9 by 23 weeks even with a lot of supplements. I was feeling absolutely drained. Eventually I was given iv iron and felt immeasurably better within 3 days. Push for it, those of you who feel tired. It's a wide range.

My doctor has had me do loads of expensive tests for my symptoms (breathlessness, tiredness, dizziness, hair loss) but insists that they aren't caused by a ferritin level of 12.

my symptoms. My level was 22. All gone since I brought my levels up to 50/60.

Let me guess, your GP couldn't establish another cause then?

I had a load of blood tests for fatigue and my ferritin level was around 20 which gp said was fine. range goes from 12-300so while it was within range it was hovering at the bottom!
Anyway I started taking feroglobin liquid and on retesting I'm now consistently around 40 so it has made a small difference. I wonder if I should try ferrous sulphate or ferrous fumarate tablets for a while though.

Low ferritin does not always indicate anaemia. The test is done to see how much iron you are storing in your body. Hb levels tells you how much hb is present in the red blood cells.
The ferritin level is often low in mentruating or pregnant women or after surgery/significant blood loss because the store has been depleted to make up for blood loss or in the case of pregnancy increasein blood volume. It is more an indication of dietary deficiency or higher demand on iron stores rather than disease however there are some conditions that interfere with iron absorption or storage.
So as a stand alone figure it means very little, it needs to be read alongside a number of other tests.

^what willdoit said

My ferritin levels were at 22 at 8 weeks pregnant and I felt fine (doc told me normal range was 20 -180) but at 29 weeks dropped to 0 and I felt like utter shit - shattered, breathless, vacant. Have been taking ferrograd daily for 10 days and the difference is noticeable.

I don't think I'm anaemic as I think blood levels are still in normal range - I've been trying to consume iron rich foods regularly (red meat daily etc) so I think my blood's ok if I'm vigilant with diet but no reserves.

Saison - exactly! My blood iron levels weren't low though, just ferritin - were you the same? I thought I had quite a good diet. I eat red meat, green veg etc.

I felt awful when my ferritin was 12 (1 from bottom of the range) dr completely unconcerned and dismissed it as due to heavy periods. I went to my independent health food shop and she recommended a supplement called hema plex for me which helped a lot. Higher iron in it than the stuff they sell in chemists. My hair got very thin as well. I felt much better after a few months on that.

My GP said there seems to be evidence that for women the level should be more like 40 (could be misremembering, don’t shout at me). I know I felt horrendous when mine was at 9 and much better when it was 30odd.

tortelliniforever

yes, eating well but heavy periods and relatively short cycles. Funnily, my periods are still heavy but not as bad anymore since bringing my ferritin levels up. Ferrous sulphate had been really a life saver for me.

My ferritin is at 10. HB 110. GP has given me iron pills and I'm already feeling better after a few days (is this psychological, who can say?) - according to a recent study btw it's better to take the pills every other day, because if you suddenly ingest high quantities of iron, your body blocks more coming in the following day. Definitely take the pills. Interestingly I hadn't thought about the fact that my pregnancy hair is shit because of the low iron! Kept waiting for glowing, thick locks and I guess this is why they didn't make an appearance 😭

Also my GP said that the level of acceptable for ferritin is bullshit and ideally a healthy woman would be around 80!

No @willynillypie it's not psychological, it's accepted you will feel better quickly especially if on a high dose but the problem with that is people feel better and stop taking them like me and then they fall further it takes months to actually build up iron but the effects of the tablets is quick.

My scalp has been hideous with low ferritin but lucky no hair loss except the standard post-partum stuff. I just have a really itchy dry scalp all the time :(

Low ferritin but normal HB is non-iron deficiency anaemia and if persistent can mean there's an underlying condition (though mine don't seem to care enough to investigate this but keep asking me if I have any signs of bowel cancer)

When HB gets low then that is iron deficiency anaemia.

Both can make you feel shitty but they are less concerned generally about non-iron. In my experience though, non-iron makes me feel awful even though my HB is OK (though still on the lower side of OK).

Those of you after a proper iron supplement (not floradix or Spatone). Ferrous fumarate is an alternative to ferrous sulphate. For me it is far more tolerable. No constipation at all, if anything the opposite (which is preferable). It’s another cheap medication that can be bought over the counter.

Yes I find that ferrous fumarate makes stools softer (and darker)