AIBU to request an earlier GP appointment- low ferritin

[HariboFrenzy]

Recently had blood tests and though haemoglobin fine MCH, MCHC and ferritin were out of range (below). Ferritin is 12. Had a message from GP for telephone appointment on 22nd May.

Thing is I feel like utter shite. I'm carer to a young child with complex needs and really struggling.

AIBU to request an appointment sooner?

@TheBlueKoala because they're not ferrous fumarate for a start? Sorry, I know I'm sounding snippy (irritability clearly another symptom) thanks for posting the link but it doesn't look like the right thing.

And you are sure your testing heart rate is 150bpm? That's way into the rate classed as tachycardia. A couple of months ago I was in the resuscitation unit with a heart rate of 120bpm. So if be more worried about that.

to be fair, as well as a high heart rate I also had a falling temp and falling blood pressure.

@HariboFrenzy HB is 112 slightly low but essentially normal. Having an urgent CT scan as they think the low ferritin is being caused by a bowel issue. I suppose something is happen but it’s very frustrating day to day.

@user1471453601 that must have been scary. I hope you're ok now. Yes I'm sure, I have a pulse oximeter and measured it on that. We took it to hospital with one of our kids earlier in the year and it was giving the same readings as the hospital ones.

As you’re symptomatic with a high heart rate (which can cause other issues i would imagine!) i would definitely try and get an earlier appointment.

With that ferritin level you could take over the counter supplements

If it was much lower ie single figures then I think the GP would prescribe ferrous sulphate/similar for you

@HariboFrenzyI have a B12 injections too, I need to book back into doctors to check HRT!
im possibly putting it down to being a working mum with 2 teens (one who is autistic and heading for GCSE’s) and life being hectic and a bit shit 😂
I would love one day to wake up not feeling like I’ve drunk 15 pints the night before!

Apparently ferrous fumarate is better tolerated than ferrous sulphate- based on what friends have said

@TurquoiseDress yeah it has been 9 in the past and was prescribed it then but can't remember now what the dose was or how long i took it for. I'm assuming the telephone appointment is to prescribe but maybe not.

Go and speak with a pharmacist or order them via online pharmacy- I wouldn’t just wait for the GP appointment

Something you could do to help yourself right now is to buy some over the counter iron supplements

Also think about how you can increase iron in your diet too

Contact the surgery again. Explain that the symptoms are affecting your MH and you'd like an earlier appointment

@Nowmum43 I hear you! I'd love to wake up feeling refreshed! With a non sleeping autistic child that's unlikely even with optimal bloods sadly 😂
Best of luck with the GCSE exams, its stressful at the best of times never mind with additional needs

You’ve missed that I, and other posters, have said to go elsewhere. I buy them OTC all the time time. As I said upthread, the pharmacist said to do that, and not to bother with a prescription as it’s more expensive. I’ve been on and off them for a long time and I’ve never been refused them or said why I want them. You’ve been unlucky. In addition, I had another poster both posted links to the relevant item so you can buy them online. I think I have been helpful actually.

I’m pretty sure the price you’ll pay for a prescription will be higher than buying iron supplements over the counter

When my iron and haemoglobin were low I was prescribed 305mg ferrous fumerate. I started just buying it myself though because it's less faff than messing around with prescriptions. Im in Ireland not the UK but it's widely available here over the counter and online.

Do you have a pharmacist at your GP practice that could prescribe you some iron in the meantime? I find the pharmacist at our surgery can sometimes be more helpful than the GP especially for care in between appointments

I've been undergoing investigation for fatigue since August. I was hospitalised for it at the end of my pregnancy. My ferritin has dropped from 75 to 32 on OTC supplements and they weren't wanting to give me any on prescription. I'm awaiting more blood tests to figure out what is going on as it's not a clear picture.

I take a glass of orange juice to bed with me and take the iron tablets when at 6 am when I first wake up. I'm breastfeeding and trying to keep on top of calcium as I have a family history of osteoporosis. This allows me to have a long enough gap between taking the iron tablets and my breakfast. I'm still struggling but it's not just my ferritin that's wonky.

YABU. It’s not that low. Just get some iron tablets