To ask if anyone has ever had low ferritin levels?

[ImaHogg]

I have suffered from anaemia on/off for years due to heavy periods. Over the last 5+ years I have developed uterine polyps which I have removed but they grow back (I’m 48 and probably in peri so my hormones are probably unbalanced), unfortunately these are making my periods heavier which is probably further pushing me into anaemia.
My test came back last September with HB of 9.9 and Ferritin of 5. GP put me on ferrous fumerate but as an IBS sufferer these cause such awful issues that I’ve had to rely on Spatone which isn’t helping much.
Last week my levels came back the same, gp says she doesn’t have anything else to offer other than the ferrous fumerate and to continue to take the Spatone until I get a hysteroscopy appointment with gynae (I’ve been waiting for this since October last year to have polyps removed again and this time insertion of a Mirena coil, but it’s been put off due to Covid!).
Has anyone had low ferritin levels? What were your symptoms and how did you get your levels to normal?
My symptoms are I am cold all the time, tiredness even after a good nights sleep, tired after climbing stairs, intolerance to exercise, anxious ALL the time, sore tongue, tinnitus, vision issues and just completely knackered and weak tbh.
I feel like crap every day but I’ve been anaemic for so long that I’m not even sure what it feels like to feel ‘normal’ so not sure if my symptoms are due to the low ferritin or not!

@HazeyJaneII - Mirena coil was brilliant for me - after three years of debilitatingly heavy periods, they stopped immediately once it was fitted.
There are several threads on MN where people haven't got on with them, but I don't recall any side effects - if there were, compared to a couple of weeks every month lost to heavy periods, and the rest of the time stressed about when they would start, it was a complete life changer.
I think they're effective for about five years - presumably I'd had the menopause before it "ran out". I had it removed after seven years because I was concerned it might have been the cause of a series of UTI/s (it wasn't) - other than that they're happy to just leave them in place.
Definitely worth trying!

@ImaHogg low ferritin wouldn't usually cause the symptoms you describe but anaemia (low haemoglobin) definitely does. Your body uses the stores of ferritin to produce red blood cells and so when the store is low you can become anaemic.
If you're anaemic you could explain that iron tablets cause your IBS to flare and ask for an iron infusion. They might be less keen to do it if it is just low ferritin although worth asking if it's a recurring problem (usual practice is to go through the options of tablets and liquid iron first).
Often when you have a ferritin test it's alongside the test for B12 and folate levels as you also need both of these to make red blood cells (so would be checked as part of investigation for anaemia).
Definitely worth asking for thyroid to be checked if it hasn't been done previously.

I can confirm though that iron infusion is best thing ever and left me feeling on top of the world! I had it during pregnancy as extremely anaemic and due to sickness couldn't tolerate oral iron. My ferritin had been around 5 for years so I definitely felt boosted.

[quote Gerla]@roonerspismed How do you go about investigating gut issues? My dr prescribed a test for gluten intolerance and it came back clear. He said case closed![/quote]
I used to work for Coeliac UK - people often found getting a diagnosis hard!

When I come up with a brick wall, or don't like the solutions offered, I always refer back to NICE guidelines - they arm you with info of what is available, recommended treatments - and if you start referring to them, GPs & medical professionals take you more seriously (in my experience!)
They're generally an easy read, not hidden in lots of waffle and jargon.

May serum ferritin was 4, I can’t absorb iron but should take FF daily (my body doesn’t like it much). I had an iron infusion (get inject from memory) and it made a huge difference. It went up to 258 but now 18 months later it is around 74 so lower end of normal.

Ask for an infusion.

Please don’t answer if you feel inappropriate but I wondered what caused you to have the endoscopy and colonoscopy? I have just been told I have low ferritin but not anaemic, and my FIT test came back positive so I’ve been referred urgently to the colorectal clinic. No idea what to expect but I have had quite a bit of weight loss over 6 months so imagine they want to rule out all the sinister things (which naturally are all I can think of) - am extremely anxious and have been suffering from health anxiety though, as well as suspected gastritis so think that’s explainable.

I’ve just found out I’ve got low ferritin. The only reason I asked for the test was my hair was falling out (anyone else get this?) My Hemoglobin and all other blood results are okay although vitamin D is on the low side.

Annoyingly I couldn’t get my actual level over the phone. Have to wait for a GP appointment next week. I’ve had heavy periods with clots for years so I’m not surprised. Don’t think it’s fibroids or anything as they are actually lighter than periods I had while I was a teenager (still heavy though).

I’m going to ask about transexamic acid. I used to take the combined pill and skip sugar pills to only have a few periods a year but can’t now due to migraine auras. Tried the progesterone only pill but just bled most of the time for six weeks. Don’t want an IUD. The GP is going to love me

I’ve had a number of people tell me I look tired lately and have been going to bed at 7.30pm some nights. Hoping to get some energy back.

I have. Think my ferritin levels were at zero at one point. As you described in your first post OP, I could have written that myself. Always cold, always tired, breathless after walking up the stairs. Had tinnitus for god knows how long. GP did refer me to have an Iron infusion (iron via an IV drip at the hospital) as I can't take the tablets - basically they upset my bowels. But it never happened, there was a long waiting list and then covid happened. So I never got it.

So I picked up these in Boots. www.boots.com/vitabiotics-feroglobin-capsules-30-capsules-10131412

Started talking them daily and if I remember correctly my next blood test for ferritin/iron levels came back ok.

I can't say though that my symptoms disappeared completely though. I still get breathless and feel quite tired. Although to be honest, its been hit and miss a couple of months here and there where I haven't been taking the capsules so I guess if I took them religiously I may feel much better, I don't know, but I do believe they upped my ferritin/iron levels. Worth a try if you haven't already.

I have very low ferritin levels and problems with iron tablets and liquid iron.
I asked for an iron infusion. Floored me for a couple of days but then much much better. It was definitely worth it.
All the different supplements like spatone, floradix etc are fine for revention but not strong enough to resolve extremely low iron stores.