Are there any GPs or iron specialists around please?

[Ezlo]

I could do with some advice if possible regarding a refusal for treatment.

I have endometriosis and PCOS and bleed a lot. It means I get anaemic from time to time and my quality of life shrinks to nothing. I also can't breathe, walk at a snails pace, feel my chest tightening if I walk at a normal pace and I feel like I'm going to pass out.

I've had blood transfusions in the past as well as an iron infusion. Both worked well and I felt amazing after! Iron tablets make me so sick and take ages to kick in. I feel like the walking dead!

So back in early December my GP asked gynaecology at the hospital to refer me as GPs cannot refer directly for an infusion now. I haven't heard anything back until today where I've received a letter from someone in the gynaecology department to my GP (me ccd in).

It says (in so many words);

I have received numerous emails from your GP surgery regarding X.

It states you are wishing to refer her back to the department of gynaecology for.an urgent iron infusion. I can see from previous correspondence it has not been discussed previously- the risks, benefits and alternatives. We are unable to arrange this.

I know she has a normal hb level.

From tests I had in December, my results were;
MCHC - 288
MCH - 23
Haemocrit - 0.337
Haemoglobin - 97
Serum ferritin - 5

I feel like I'm going mad because I've been feeling like shit and struggling to just do the minimum in life. Can anyone tell by those results if I am anaemic?

I am not a GP nor am I an expert BUT

I did a lot of research on Iron and especially Ferritin levels. I read some research papers on the topic and one in particular stated that a woman’s ferritin level should be 75 if they aren’t displaying symptoms of ID anemia and 100 if they were.

I felt very unwell most mornings, I felt out of breath and walking up the stairs was difficult. My Ferritin was about 34 which the GP said required no further action. I took it upon myself to improve those levels - I bought some Ferrous Sulfate (usual strength iron tablets wouldn’t cut it) and within 2 weeks I felt like a different person.

I cannot believe that they’re unwilling to treat you based on those results.

Hello @Errors . Thank you for your reply.

Can you get ferrous sulphate over the counter? Did you feel nauseous with them?

Yes you can, I ordered from an online pharmacy and they just asked me some questions. I take them with a vitamin C tablet.

I didn’t feel particularly nauseous once I had gotten used to them a few days in but to be honest, I was willing to put up with it for a little while in order to feel better!

If you can afford to do so, may I also suggest using a company like Thriva to check some other key vitamins - D and B12 and possibly folate. Less than optimum levels of these can make you feel terrible also.

To add, don’t take them within an hour or two of drinking coffee as it hinders absorption. I take mine in the evening