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

You're around the 93rd person to suggest that.

Not always, I have pernicious anaemia and a normal MCV at diagnosis.
My point is really that a full panel of tests (hormones, autoimmune for eg) should be done to try to identify any underlying issues contributing to the OP's symptoms.

I go private for most things in the UK, the clinic I visited in Turkey was a medical clinic with numerous Drs and nurses on site and their own pharmacy.
They would only do the lower dose for safety reasons and had high standards of care and hygiene. This was also the beginning of my holiday so had there of been any complications they would’ve been dealt with in Turkey, not the UK.
I also had my teeth done in Turkey almost 2 year ago and had amazing care, much better than I’ve received in the UK. No one ever knows that they’re not my natural teeth and even my Bupa dentist in the UK begrudgingly admitted they were done very well.
I had an unusual allergic reaction whilst having them done and they had a surgeon to assess me within 2 minutes and were very caring and attentive. They kept me in the clinic all day for a few days to keep a close eye on me and provided all of my meals for me for my convenience. If I so much as needed a filling in one of my natural back teeth I would much prefer to have it done in Turkey with that dental surgery.
Whilst I’m aware that some people don’t do their research and will go anywhere ‘cheap’ I wouldn’t, I know at least 40 people who have used the dentist I used in Turkey (sevil smile studio) around 20 of them are family members, not one has had any issues. I met a few people whilst there who had been to UK and Turkey dentists and had issues which needed rectifying - sevil smile studio are known as the best dentists and a fraction of the cost of Uk dentists

Did it really help? My ferritin is 9 and the dr just told me to get tabs OTC 🙄

Look on your nhs app your results will be there with the normal levels & any comments if concerned

Oh FGS. PLEASE dont seek medical advice on Mumsnet. You’ll get all sorts of unreliable advice, particularly as it seems you’re not quite sure what you’re asking about. Use the time to persevere with getting through to someone medically qualified

A ferritin level of 18 is very low. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. My level was 40 but I didn’t feel well . My GP likes his female patients to have a Ferriton of 100.
your HB is ok but you could still be he having symptoms of anaemia.

All of this - also no milk, coffee, or fizzy drinks within 2 hours either side of taking your iron supplements, just to maximise absorbtion.

I find carbonyl iron is ideal as it has fairly good bio-availability, has no digestive system side effects like nausea or constipation, and is very affordable compared to other forms of iron that's gentle on the stomach.

I live in NZ, but get mine delivered from the US from here at the moment, and take two tablets a day before bed (so 130 mgs).

Your ferritin needs to be at least 80 to avoid hair loss (mine was coming out dreadfully at 24), so I think 100 is a good level for most women to aim for.

Some doctors are really just fucking useless. You should qualify for an infusion at that level.

But try carbonyl iron tablets, taking about 130 - 200 mgs a day, and hopefully you'll notice an improvement pretty quickly (within 6 to 8 weeks) without having digestive issues.

And still tumbleweed from the Op to this very sensible suggestion that would immediately clarify the situation

I order mine direct with Three Arrows from the US. It arrives pretty quickly. Although it’s expensive, it does really help. I take a couple every other day to keep my levels up since my infusion.

I know you shouldn't have to do this, but is there any way u can.physically go into.the practice to.make an appointment? My practice tell people to arrive at 8 to make same day appointment. I know this is not quite what you need but might be worth a go.

Dont mean to be harsh but can you phtsically go in or ask someone to go in for you?

You say ‘she’ I’m assuming Receptionist ? If you got the results from her why didn’t you both book the appt then, a receptionist doesn’t say you need to spk to your GP then put the phone down? If the GP called you and say they need to see you they can book their own appointments. So I’m bewildered why you’re asking this question. Google will tell you everything you need to know, your results seem fine apart from it looks like low iron which can make you feel shit, but nothing to panic about. If you can’t get through to your surgery and you worried make the journey and present yourself at reception and book an appt.

@Soooty ive had an infusion (nhs) and a few weeks later felt better it takes a few months for your levels to settle . My ferritin was 7. I’d go for the infusion privately if your surgery aren’t listening .
Ive to go back in six months . My rheumatologist ordered mine .

Do you have any other symptoms your have Ben experiencing? Does it warrant a referral elsewhere from your Gp.
I’ve had a long long fight to be listened too .

I had iron at 5. Was on tablets to increase it which I really didn’t like but the main help was taking desogestoral to halt my periods. Now without iron tablets I’m around 30. I think I was probably low on iron for 30 years without knowing.

Thank you. I’ve got another phone call with them in a couple of weeks so I’m going to ask! I’m training for a marathon so I need good iron!

If you cant get through on the phone - pop into the surgery and get an appointment straight away. Tell them the doctor has said ASAP and they should be able to help. Good luck

Re the iron tablets there is a massive difference in absorbance between the different types iron and how you take it. If your gp prescribed the iron they often start with the cheapest ferrous sulphate but this is more likely to cause stomach issues. It is also really important to take it with vit c (so a glass of orange juice), avoid having tea or coffee at the same time and taking every other day rather than daily.

i found Iron Bisglycinate much much better and have got my iron levels well into the acceptable range.

Forgot to say I buy the Iron Bisglycinate myself from boots off the shelf

You can get your test results on the NHS app which avoids confusion over the terms used. Goto the surgery to make your appointment in person.

But cancel the cheque before you try the app.

On my results I can click on them and it gives you the criteria of a healthy range, you could try this?

It wasn’t haemophilia. I’m low on iron but there’s a two year waiting list for an infusion

I paid for my daughter to have an infusion. If you can afford it, then it’s worth it. Join the iron protocol group on facebook, some info on increasing iron on there. Good luck, it really is lousy.