To think a ferritin level of 31 is low

[User4544]

In a female. Doctor says not as he says the reference range is 20-200

Not really, I walk around with one of 4 quite usually without ending up anaemia - take iron supplements now.

Seems fine to me. I regularly have around 11/12

Not ideal for hair growth (aim for over 50 for that), but not likely to be causing anemia or tiredness

Why do you think he is wrong?

Had a level of 3 once and they didn’t seem that bothered.

I have 18 all the time. Apparently it doesn't matter.

Yes it’s on the low
And imo it’s not optimal for eg hair growth

How do you feel? Any symptoms?

I was on 2 when pg and had to have iron infusion. Both times.

Mine was 5 once and I felt dreadful! My Hb was also low at 8. Short of breath, dizzy spells, tired after doing normal daily things, unusual food cravings, constant UTI's etc.

31 is the lower end of completely normal! If you are symptomatic at this level though, get treated.

My ferritin level was 23 last summer, when my periods were really heavy and I was taking a multivitamin which included iron! 😣 I was getting bad headaches and my hair was falling out, my GP said this wasn’t related. My dermatologist (who I see for a skin condition) disagreed and told me I needed to take an iron supplement as ferritin needs to be over 70 for good hair growth. My levels are now still only 56 but my symptoms have alleviated. The range for ferritin is huge so it stands to reason that different levels suit different people…

I feel lighthearted quite a lot as if I’m about to pass out

What symptoms do you have that you think are related to low ferritin?

Mine was 6 a few months ago and I felt shocking. I’ve always had crap levels plus don’t absorb b12, low bp so it’s hard to know which is causing tiredness when it happens. I’ve been on 3 200mg ferrous sulphate tablets a day since and feel like a new woman.

The "normal" range is 10-291 so 31 is on the low side but within normal limits. You could take iron tablets if you are concerned

Mine was 2 and they just said make sure you start taking some iron

Having a level of ferritin under 50 in women can cause symptoms similar to anaemia.

Many doctors seem very unaware of this but I've been told this by 2 GPs and an endocrinologist.

So anyone on this thread saying it's ok is not correct.

There's lots of studies backing this up (although the exact level of ferritin that is said to cause symptoms varies from about 30 to 70).

Personally, I tend to feel very unwell if my ferritin is below 30.

Mine always used to be 7. I had to take ferrous sulfate and ferrous fumarate.

I used to regularly black out.

Then I had a hysterectomy and all my levels are back to normal.

Hi @RavingAnnie, what's the difference between iron and ferritin if you don't mind me asking? I heamorragd after CB and had levels of 7, but couldn't get a transfusion because I wasn't at level 6. The consultant and nurses were in the c-section recovery room with, me pumping on my stomach. I just got some feeling back and asked DH what was between my legs, he said placenta I felt so poorly for weeks and was on iron tablets before I have birth. what's the fumerate?

It's not optimum but it's OK. 6 is low. I was told 5 is determined as unable to clot.

Minnie ferritin is your base iron reserved. Hb is your circulating level.
Fumerate is a version of iron tablets. If you lost a lot of blood you may have been just above the level that needs a transfusion but iron tablets will do above that. Three a day probably.

Mad people saying they've had 3 and 4 and been fine? Definitely get a second opinion next time!!

mine went down to 3 for a while celebrated when it got back to 10.

@PastMyBestBeforeDate thank you. So many typos on the kindle sorry. Yes I had three a day after (and black shits throughout )

At my last test, mine was 9. That was with prescription supplements. I have just had two iron infusions because of it.

I was told that for healthy hair growth to occur you need to have a ferritin level of at least 70. So yeah, I'd say 31 is low even though it's officially 'normal'.