Please can anyone help with these results as can’t get through to GP and panicking

[Soooty]

I had a blood test recently as I generally have low iron. The latest test has come back as follows:

haemoglobin 122
ferritin 18
haemophilia 28.7
b12 570

I don’t understand the haemophilia result in particular and when I have googled it it seems worrying? The Gp has sent a message for me to book in an appointment asap but each time I call I can’t get through. I’ve been feeling really low and emotional recently (last few weeks) and I just feel really stressed about these results. Can anyone help? I will obviously keep trying to speak to GP

Sympathies.

Mine was 4!!!! I felt so rough!!

I didn’t feel better until it was over 40 so can see why it’s changed.

The hemoglobin and ferritin point to low iron/ anemia b12 normal. It’s just the last one isn’t it? How’s it written on your results?

My bloods for iron usually include haematocrit - is that what you’ve misread as haemophilia?

To my inexpert eye, and don’t read too much into this, you appear to be mildly anaemic, but not clinically. Your haemoglobin is high enough not to qualify, but your stored iron (ferritin) is on the low side. I believe the normal reference range has been recently raised to a minimum of 30, so you’ll probably be recommended supplements.

I was more anaemic than you and didn’t qualify for an infusion even with a haemoglobin level of 90 and ferritin of 8, so I don’t think you’ll get one unless your trust has very different thresholds from mine.

Have you got the NHS app? I can see all my tests and results on there - it would let you see what the test was actually for at least

@Ineffable23 not sure if I am being stupid here but I can’t see the parameters for iron infusion?

Might mean haemoglobin

I gave up, paid £700 for a private infusion of iron. Stupidly expensive but doctors are so dismissive.

It's ridiculous isn't it!

Yes same! I have stomach issues and the tablets make my symptoms worse. Not sure how low it needs to be to get an infusion?

@Happyjoe did you feel it was worth it? Where did you get it done? One hospital has quoted me 1,200

For those who can't handle iron pills, floradix/floravital liquid does not hurt the stomach and absorbs much better than tablets - and no constipation. Cannot be taken same time as tea/coffee - 2hr wait.
Vitamin b12, under the tongue ones are superb, again, no stomach issues and absorbs fast, holland and barrett stock good ones.

Been fighting iron and b12 my who adulthood.

This is yet another example of why test results really shouldn't be given over the phone by someone who is not qualified to explain them or read them correctly.

One of my GI issues is excess stomach acid and anything citrusy or fruity really makes that worse, so floradix and ferroglobin are out for me.

That was expensive! It was just about 3 years ago, in Harley street, ha ha (my nearest clinic). I could barely walk though, so tired with the iron and remember struggling to make it from the tube station. . But yes, very much worth it. After a couple of weeks start to feel better and while my iron levels are dropping still, I've not reached anything near the levels I have been floating around for years. I daresay will have to have another in a year or two but yes, worth it.

Only issue I remember is that they try to rush you through the infusion and that made me feel odd. Soon as she slowed it down, feeling went away and was fine. To be fair, they do warn you about it.

Edited, just checked emails, was done here: https://www.theironclinic.com/ in 2023.

Absolutely agree. At least if they release them on the app, you can actually see the results properly.

Yes, my surgery puts them on your patient record and you can click through on each individual result to see what the test is for and what the normal reference ranges are, so it makes it simple to understand what the results mean while you wait for the chat with the doctor.

Ah, fair do's, it is very acidic.. Did you try the iron water in the little sachets? I cant remember the name. That's ok.
I don't use floravital anymore as on esomeprazol now, same reason and it just doesn't absorb enough.

Mine is ferritin is 11, haemoglobin 122. They refuse to give me an infusion despite tablets having no effect. All my results are signed off as normal despite the visual graph that accompanies the results showing them as being abnormal!

I have had 2 infusions in the past and felt great for a bit.

Worth you knowing that long term omeprazole use can stop you absorbing iron. Mine only dropped to those levels after 15 years on it. Now on Famotidine instead, and since my recent hysterectomy for uncontrolled postmenopausal bleeding, my ferritin has already jumped up to 135 - first time since I began periods that it’s been over 50.

Spatone wasn’t effective enough for me when I was in clinical anaemia, sadly. But it looks as though surgical menopause has been the immediate cure I’ve needed for all these years!

At a stretch corpus lups or lups corpus could be corpuscles. No idea about " haemophilia". That has to be a mistake.
I agree with pp, most people would feel unwell with a ferritin of 16. I do think the parameters are too low.

Wow, that is madness with the menopause, blooming heck! I hope you're feeling ok and recovered well?

Yeah, I know PPI's stop absorption of iron, and a few other things but I've been anaemic since about 18 and only went on PPI's about 10 years ago. I wish I'd come off them after a short while but I've tried to come off them, funnily enough using famotidine and the pain was just intense. I've managed to lower my dose now from 40mg to 20, hoping one day to come off them completely.

My ferritin is 6, yes 6, and the NHS point blank won't give me iron infusions. They don't even like keeping me on the tablets.

The NHS classes ferritin under 30 as deficient enough to be worth them treating. Ferritin under 100 can produce deficiency symptoms though.
I'd join the Iron Protocol for Iron Deficiency With or Without Anemia Facebook group, which is the world's largest patient advocacy group for iron deficiency. They have helpful guides which tell you how to supplement in a way to get your levels up ASAP.

facebook.com/groups/theironprotocol/

Literally only 3 weeks since the surgery and my ferritin has gone from 31 to 135 in that time. I was bleeding like a speared pig from some glandular tissue overlying my cervix, like a continuous period, despite being about 6 months post-menopause. I’m astonished by the results. I’ve had a hideous post-op infection and been back in hospital for IV antibiotics, and even despite that the iron has rocketed up. I’m still on 40mg Famotidine and have struggled with acid all my life, made worse after my gallbladder was removed, so I think they’re here to stay - but no issues with that at the moment.

@Happyjoe thank you. What does you mean about walking to the tube - you were tired before or after the infusion? Also, do you mean they rushed the infusion? I have checked the clinic and they have one local to me so this could be an option! Did you feel in safe hands?