To not treat anaemia/ iron deficiency

[Catkitkat]

My ferritin is 3 and hb is 9, so it’s on the low side. GP referred me to haematologist but insurance says no, iron levels are low due to my lifestyle choices so I should exercise, eat leafy greens and take supplements to raise my energy levels. NHS says I should get birth control which reduces periods, otherwise just get on with it.

The thing is that I’m already taking supplements (when I remember) and I eat a lot of iron rich vegetables on a daily basis, I really love vegetable so this is not an issue for me. I’m also not a vegetarian so I will have red meat every now and then.

So what more can I do? I can’t really change much on my own to improve my energy levels elsewhere or wellbeing. I feel wiped out, I can’t even explain how tired I am all the time. It’s not fair on my children to have a mother who is this low on energy.

And also, what happens if I leave this untreated? Is there a long term risk associated with these levels, am I risking something by not seeking a second opinion?

It seems to be quite random how doctors view lab results? Some who have commented on here with very similar ferritin and hemoglobin levels to me have not been offered much support at all, while others have been looked after well.

In my case there were two doctors - initial one I met in a&e and my private gp - who felt this needed to be addressed, while the insurance call handler and my NHS gp felt it was a non issue.

They felt that my age and lifestyle (mother to primary school aged children, not much exercise) were to blame for my low energy levels, and that the iron/anaemia situation was just one of those things you have to get on with. It’s not a medical concern as such, it’s sadly normal for women to be low on iron or slightly anemic. NHS gp literally told me to eat more leafy greens to feel better and ended the call. So I don’t think I’ve been passive as one previous poster put it, I rather think the situation was made very clear to me: I need to manage this myself. I’m not getting on top of it despi the my best efforts so hence my initial question, if there are any risks associated with living like this long term.

I think I’ve been given so much helpful advice here, and I’m really appreciative of everyone who has taken the time to reply. Hopefully it’s also helpful to anyone else in a similar position

I took prescription strength ferrous fumarate three times a day every day for 3 months, plus ate a lot of red meat and my ferritin went from 9 to 40 (ideal levels are around 70).

It's a long slog op and an occasional supplement and some spinach isn't going to improve things I'm afraid.

The stomach effects were pretty horrible and when my ferritin dipped again a few years later I forked out for a private infusion (£770) as I couldn't bear the thought of 3 months of stomach issues again.

I was found to be severely anaemic when pregnant with my first child. I was put on ferrous sulphate immediately with regular bloods after that to check my levels. I was also referred to a specialist although in all honesty, he asked me a few questions about my diet and periods then sent me on my way.

My levels have fluctuated ever since to the point that even when they were near normal, one doctor encouraged me to continue taking a tablet a day for maintenance purposes. My periods were never investigated but that was undoubtedly the cause. I know this because I now take the pill with only one or two breaks a year and no longer have a problem and have been able to cut out supplements altogether for the first time in years.

It’s shocking that your gp won’t do more, but you can buy supplements over the counter for a few pounds (I prefer Ferrous Fumerate). They are the same as the ones prescribed by the doctor, the pharmacist would often tell me to not use the prescription as it was cheaper without. I would do that and see how you go, but be aware that you will need to continue this for a long period of time, possibly years, to rectify the situation.

Are you drinking floradix daily
+
having sporadic iron tablets (how many /week?)
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eating red meat -- how much? Heme iron improves absorption of iron from all sources.

Besides leafy green and unclear amounts of red meat, do you eat eggs, any other animal flesh, and how many times/week ?

Are you drinking lots of tea, that inhibits iron absorption.

@catkitkat your insurance handler and NHS GP are wrong, although it is common for women to be anaemic it doesn't mean that its not a medical issue that needs treating, it means there's too much misogyny in medicine. You do though need to first try supplementing properly with iron and get your bloods checked again in around 3 months, before demanding an infusion as first line of treatment is supplements. I would see a different NHS GP in order to be treated appropriately.