Are iron supplements a cancer risk? Low ferritin

[WiltingFlowerz]

My ferritin is apparently 25, which my gp said is fine but from everything I have read it is too low?

But haemoglobin and the other iron blood tests are all on the high side of normal. If I take iron supplements, will they not just go far too high which is also not good?

I'm so confused. Tired and constantly slow brain so I just can't wrap my head around it. I don't want to do anything wrong but would love to feel better. My hair is thin and my nails break so easily too.

Have you had your thyroid checked? It’s worth asking for that and B12 levels and then take it from there with your GP

Yes, I have hypothyroid and take medicine for that so tsh is always around 1 now. What does that have to do with the ferritin or iron? Sorry am completely lost and my gp thinks everything is ok now.

B12 is always on the low side of normal, around 200 I think. Is it linked to the iron as well?

It can be, I have problems with them all and the GP should be looking at why you may have an element of malabsorption of them - do you have stomach problems at all? Acid reflux/coeliac/ibs? All can contribute and should be looked at together

And no, not a cancer risk…. My oncologist hasn’t told me to stop taking my iron. (Ferrous fumerate) just anything with oestrogen in as my BC is oestrogen positive

Thank you @Mrscaptainraymondholt it's all so complicated!

I have no stomach issues at all though, so not sure why I'm not absorbing stuff.

I was told the normal range is 11.0 - 300-odd for a woman. My ferritin is 5 so I’m on iron tablets. GP didn’t seem concerned that there was any underlying cause, and said low ferritin is common in menstruating women (which may or may not apply to you).

Just don’t take iron supplements (or multivitamins containing iron) within 4 hours of taking thyroxine, it affects absorption.

Have you also had vitamin D checked? It’s not a routine check but low vitamin D can go hand in hand with hypothyroidism…& low B12, & low ferritin.
I have all of the above!

Yes, the guidelines are very wide and I suppose my 25 is fine according to that, but then from what I've read it seems like I may have more energy and hair might stop falling out if I could boost it up to 50 or 70.

5 seems very low @Clettercletterthatsbetter I hope you are feeling better on the iron tablets!

@RoddyStJames How do you feel in yourself? Are you taking things to raise them all, and have you noticed any difference?

I take a vitamin D, as mine was low too in the past.

I have B12 injections, 2 x ferrous fumerate, take 2 x prescription vitamin D tablets (Desunin 800) as well as thyroxine & liothyronine. I still feel rubbish but at least I can actually get off the sofa now. There was a time I couldn’t even lift my arms above my head I was so exhausted.

Vitamin D often gets marked as normal at 50, but optimal for bone protection is over 75. I can’t get mine above 52. I’ve been taking them for 3+ years.
I can’t get my ferritin above 32 & it needs to be above 70 for hair growth & many women seemingly don’t feel well at levels below 50. Hysterectomy so no periods.
My B12 is kept ‘normal’ due to the injections. I feel it waning around week 8 but I am not allowed injections before 12 weeks so I’ve taken to order supplies from Germany & self injecting.