Ferritin level 6!?

[OdettySpaghetti]

Recent blood test - my ferritin levels are now 6. The lowest they have ever been prior to this is 9. Dr said he’s surprised I’m still managing to go to work -

Symptoms - lethargy, very tired all time, can barely function in a morning. Hair falls out, skin is itching like mad, out of breath just walking up stairs. I’m trying to do couch to 5k but I can’t get off week one.

AIBU to think something should be done about it?? Anyone else had such low ferritin and can share their symptoms/recovery?

Mine went down to 6, I had a few days of fainting and couldn't remember basic everyday words. GP sent me to A&E, I got an iron infusion and several weeks later felt amazing! When I was still awake at 10pm I started to feel I had insomnia as several weeks earlier 10pm would have been the middle of the night. Push for an infusion OP.

If it's the same as this then you need iron supplements and possibly B12.

You can buy the iron supplements cheaper than the prescription charge.

As you can see mine were on the floor. I was exhausted and looked grey. My nails were like playdoh, I had ringing in my ears and couldn't walk uphill. I took supplements for 6 months, stopped and then started again. I'm on them long term and have B12 injections every three months.

I think that was around my worst level (the consultant expressed surprise that I was still upright). They debated giving me an infusion but Ended up just prescribing me ferrous sulphate (?) tablets. I couldn’t manage the full dose as it made me very pukey, I think I was talking half but oh my god, within about 2 weeks I genuinely felt like I had superpowers! Up the stairs with no breathlessness! Awake all day!! Up til 10.30!!! Because it had crept up on me so slowly over a few years, I had no real idea of how bad I was til I wasn’t.

Are they going to look into what’s causing it? For me it was a giant fibroid and the solution was a hysterectomy. I’m like a new woman, it’s amazing.

I had months of iron tablets and 4 years ago had surgery for my very heavy periods. Since then it has taken 3 years to get my skin be much better, my hair had fallen out but has now thickened right up again. My tiredness isn't as bad.

Definitely should have something done about it.

A few years ago, mine went down to 4.5. I was sent straight to a & e, and was admitted to hospital for a full blood transfusion. Some further investigations were made, I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy, but no underlying condition was ever found. I had the same symptoms as you, especially the fatigue and the skin problems, and feel that your condition needs some further investigation. I hope that you get some help with this, and that you feel better soon.

My levels get low I take iron supplements. Sometimes liquid iron (spatone) other times prescribed ferrous sulphate.
I also take b12

Mine was around 6 and was prescribed iferrous sulphate. They made my tum feel horrid. I took feroglobin. I felt like I could lift my head up!
My level is 14 now so they say that’s ‘normal’ but i know it’s not optimum. Hair still thin. I didn’t realise that itchy skin was a symptom ? I itch like crazy!

I was just told to take iron supplements when it was that low.

They said it wasn't anaemia until the Hb was also low, so I assumed it wasn't as much of a problem as I know lots of people get anaemic. But my ferritin was only 3, and apparently some people get anaemia despite higher ferritin levels. I don't quite get how the two interact, and whether really low ferritin is as much of a problem as actually being anaemic. The doctor was keen to get my levels up to the normal range, though, and tended to blame every other symptom on that until I did!

Yep, mine was 0 when my guns ran the blood tests. 200mg ferrous sulphate 3 times a day and I feel much better 6 months later

Gyne not guns!

Chelated iron and a vitamin B complex - these are the supplements you need. Take every day

Mine was 6

I didn’t really have many symptoms apart from obviously being absolutely knackered, i was also very breathless

I thought it was my underactive thyroid (so i was quite often knackered) and this was retested but was OK

I did a bit of research and asked him for more blood tests, most of which were refused, when i asked for ferritin testing he agreed

I was given iron tablets for 3 months and told that i would probably need to take 1 a day until my periods stopped

I don’t do this but subsequent tests have shown normal (at the lower end so 60ish) levels

Oh we did discuss my iron cos he said i didnt look anemic and i agreed cos they always take my blood at the donation place

But turns out i had non anemic iron deficiency

Mine was low. I’ve bought some off Amazon that spray into your mouth instead of a tablet. I don’t think my gut takes the nutrients very well

Think they are called better you.

Your gp should be referring you for an infusion. DH had one a couple of months back for same reason as you and I honestly noticed the change in about 8 hours. He went from being pallid and tired to healthy looking and whilst not full o’ beans he did say he felt a whole lot better. Good luck and get yer iron topped up