Blood test results- low on iron

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Recently had bloods done which showed iron levels at 6 and Hemoglobin levels at 80.
I was told this is low and prescribed iron tablets.
After looking at normal ranges I realised this is quite low for a female who has not gone through menopause.
Has anyone had similar results and been able to build up their iron reserves on tablets alone?
i’m guessing it will take months to build up to normal levels?

The cause is probably heavy periods especially now I’m peri menopausal.

Iron deficiency anaemia - Illnesses & conditions | NHS inform

I’ve been struggling with my iron for ages after periods got really heavy after kids. Ended up having iron transfusion. I can’t tolerate iron but then Maltofer came out (better on the stomach) and that seems to have improved a bit but my iron is still low. I’m about 3/4 months on it I think? Couldn’t stick with Mirena as it gave me vulvovaginitis so I take tranexamic acid but it’s not a miracle cure.

It does take a few months to build up, but then bleeds will knock your levels back down. Make sure that you are taking in enough vitamin C and follow the tips about not drinking tea when you are eating etc.

I thoroughly recommend spatone instead of iron tablets. It's naturally iron rich water which comes in a shot with vit c, much easier on the stomach and there's research (on pub med if you Google) that says it is better absorbed.

Eat iron rich foods too. I tend towards vegetarianism and it doesn't help my levels at all.

Take them every other day (less side effects, no loss of absorption) with vitamin c
I use a fizzy vitamin c tablet

Mine was 12 just recently so also on iron tablets. As someone said, take vit c to help absorption. Also foods that are high in iron. Meat obviously, but Google other things. Leafy green ms for example. I think I've got a way to go before I'll be stopping taking the supplements

My levels rose substantially after about two months on iron sulphate tablets, 200mg. You absorb more if you take them every other day. I went from having anemia symptoms to having slightly higher than average levels (for a woman my age etc).

Spatone did nothing for me; it may be better absorbed but the dosage is so low. Besides, I couldn't bear the taste

Oh yes as a pp mentioned, I was also strict with not drinking caffeine or taking dairy 2h either side of a dose, and taking it with vitamin C (one of the effervescent tablets). Tough for me because I drink tea constantly (probably contributing to my low iron in the first place)

You're supposed to start feeling better (if you have any symptoms) within a couple weeks and then a few months to get back to normal levels. I don't know what my levels are now but I seem to remember they were around 7 ten years ago. I've taken iron tablets on and off since then (due to my poor diet) probably shouldn't do that without doctors advice but I just know I was anaemic and felt like crap and they make me feel loads better. I also don't get any bad side effects, if anything they settle my stomach down as I usually have mild stomach issues anyway, and they seem to help. Realise I'm lucky as I know lots of people find ferrous sulphate really harsh.

I had an ablation and they also found a fibroid which hadn't shown up on an earlier scan which was removed before they carriedd on with the ablation. That solved the problem of low iron. My hair thickened back up too.

You'll need proper iron tablets to start with. 6 is too low for supplements, once it's up to normal levels you can maintain it with Spatone daily or I use Blueiron.
I have to take it all the time and I double the dose over my period.

I was the same pre menopause and took iron tablets. For a while I had some on prescription but they were tough on my stomach so I switched to some I bought which were gentler on my stomach.

It does take time to build iron stores back up but the impact on my energy levels was really fast.

I read recently that taking tablets every other day is more effective than every day.
(It was a video by a reliable doctor who debunks loads of crackpot stuff)
Apparently when you take a dose of iron your body reacts by releasing a chemical which then blocks further iron absorption for 24 hours. So if taken everyday you end up in permanent blocking mode.

That's not my experience, nor what my doctor said. I noticed if I missed a day of iron as my energy levels dropped.

I’ve struggled with anaemia all my adult life and it’s very draining! However, it took years before anyone realised I can’t absorb iron easily. Turned out to be pernicious anaemia which is helped by regular B12 shots. Despite this finally being recognised, it was years before a GP checked to see whether I’d been diagnosed for “intrinsic factor” and I hadn’t. Now that’s done, I don’t have intrinsic factor which is why I’ll need the B12 via injection forever.
I say all this because, had someone looked into all of it at an earlier stage I might have had better health throughout my life. So please make sure you ask the questions because I just trusted GPs and they don’t always spot everything.

It's not a niche theory, it's Nice guidance. But it's recent. I had to challenge my gp and he looked it up and changed my prescription to double dose, every other day.

As I said upthread, my iron levels rose amazingly, I was so sceptical that I'd feel any effect, but it's been pretty life changing.

My whole constitution has changed, in unexpected ways. The obvious ones like I get less lightheaded going up stairs. But I also get less car sick. I'm never too cold any more. I can tolerate spicier food! It's just wild how much of an effect it's had.

I disagree with previous posters who say you must use prescription - I didn't. I went from 3 to 11 in six weeks (ferritin levels), that was six months ago and i havent had a recent blood test. The NHS standard prescription is for ferrous sulphate or fumate which are notoriously hard on the stomach. It relies on overdosing you and your body pooping out (uncomfortably) excess that it hasn't absorbed.

You can find Iron Bisglycinate in combination with vitamin C, which is gentle in the stomach and helps absorption. The highest OTC serve I have found is in 42mg serves on Amazon: called Aavalbas. IHerb has something called blood builder, also recommended but expensive and lengthy delivery.

The trick is to take the iron on an empty stomach and avoid substances which interfere with its absorption - tannins in particular and several herbal teas block absorption (so black, green, peppermint, rooibis block iron - I changed from peppermint to hot water in the afternoons as many haven't been tested) . I take it at 6am - but don't have my morning cup of tea until 7am - wait an hour. Likewise, I don't snack or have anything after 3pm and then take another dose at 5pm ahead of dinner.

With the 42mg iron bisglycinate, you can take two in morning, two in evening making a total dose of 168mg. This will absorb more than a single NHS dose of 200mg - because its spread out for starters. Also the lower dose each pill means you can tailor the dose a bit to get the optimal amount to absorb each day for you.

It's very recent new guidance but what doctors should be advising now
It also helps with compliance taking them as it lessened the side effects