Had private blood test - says I’m within healthy range but not sure

[Sheliatakeabow]

My ferritin is 63 (ug/L)

My B12 is 108 (pmol/L)

When I looked online these levels are supposedly suboptimal. But I’ve been told they are within the healthy range.

Had anyone got any insight into this?

They’re not bad at all but yes you could increase them
i try and aim for my ferritin to be 75 or higher

How would you suggest I increase ferritin?

Ha! My ferritin was 17 and my GP still told me it was normal. You want it somewhere between 75 and 100 i think

You can take iton supplements to increase it BUT you also dont want it too high.

Don't get me started! Sleeping 15 hours per day, breathless, ferritin of 12 but apparently unrelated 🤔. Oh yes, and it was all in my head.

It is pretty hard to get your Ferritin too high though.

I have had iron infusions that pushed it way up but it didn't last and the Drs weren't concerned.

They are too low. CKS guidelines state confirmed below 180
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anaemia-b12-folate-deficiency/diagnosis/interpreting-investigation-results/

@blackcatlove what can I do about this? As they’re saying it’s within the healthy range

Google supplements to increase ferritin

What are you talking about? The B12 is low. She could be getting all sorts of adverse effects including exhaustion, fatigue, brain fog, depression, neurological symptoms... low B12 causes pernicious anaemia which can be fatal.

You can take supplements to increase both. Your ferritin is in the normal range though, but your B12 is low.

@WolfFoxHare I do have fatigue, brain fog etc. also get sores on my tongue. If I go to the GP with these results will they prescribe the injections? I don’t understand why this says the healthy range. Wish I’d never paid for the tests now!

My ferritin was 22 on my first blood test for exhaustion and the GP didn’t even mention it. It seems like nowadays they give you blood test results and expect you to Google them and decide on your own treatment or make your own follow up appointment. Why did you have the blood test OP?

Read that CKS guideline and quote it at them. Also this one ref ferritin. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anaemia-iron-deficiency/diagnosis/investigations/#interpreting-ferritin-levels

You need further investigation. MMA blood test and possibly others.

I'd go to your GP and share your results and symptoms - they may want to do another blood test. Be aware that many GPs don't offer B12 injections any more - or at least they'll suggest supplements instead, especially if you have dietary restrictions that could account for your deficiency. I think Lloyds Pharmacy may offer them if you have a formal diagnosis of B12 deficiency.

I had a blood test in early January which showed my ferritin to be 5. My GP marked it as borderline! When I asked what was causing my exhaustion, hair loss, breathlessness, constant colds and mouth ulcers, he shrugged his shoulders and suggested I could eat more iron rich foods if I was worried but my ferritin levels wouldn’t cause any symptoms.

I used my private healthcare via work and was diagnosed with severe non anaemic iron deficiency and had an infusion. Two weeks on and most of my symptoms have gone and I feel great for the first time in about 10 years.

The private haematologist said there is no way I could have improved my levels via diet alone and even iron supplements would have taken two years to work properly.

If your GP won’t help, B12 injections can be arranged via quite a few pharmacies or even some beauty salons.

Mine was 8 and I felt like absolute death.
It is now 20 and I am apparently 'normal'. But I feel so run down all the time.

Also ask to be tested for intrinsic factor antibodies if you have these you can not absorb B12 - this is pernicious anaemia and you need life long B12 injections.

Both are too low. Ideally your B12 needs to be 200 to function 'normally'. Can't remember what ferritin needs to be but very common for both to be low.
You can pay for B12 injections and you can buy high mg ferritin from the pharmacy if you share your blood results.
Or go to the GP and demand they treat you. My B12 was around 108 and my GP gave me 5 B12 injections over 2 weeks. Ferritin I had a 3 prescription for tablets.

You can take Ferrous Fumarate or ferrous sulphate (sulfate) which you can buy online. 2 tablets a day. It will change your poo though so watch out! It's normal so don't be concerned by it.
Also make sure you take it at least half an hour before caffeine and dairy. Best taken without food. Don't take before bed or it'll make you feel sick.

If you are a women with normal monthly periods, or perimenopausal with heavy periods, you really need to be aiming much higher than the baseline of 12 that the GP is saying is healthy. It's ridiculous that it's such a low number for women - my lowest has been 17 and I felt awful until I started supplementing.

For ongoing maintenance once you feel better, you can use spatone sachets.

Have you been tested for coeliac? This (or other conditions) could be behind the low results and a cause of the symptoms you listed.

I had similar - my GP wouldn’t prescribe the injections because it wasn’t “protocol” because I was technically within range even though my own research suggested I was low.

Even more infuriating because I have absorption issues so can’t just take multivitamins.

I would suggest taking a supplement covering iron and B12 and see if they help?