TTC iron deficiency

[LimeEagle]

Hey everyone,

I’ve always been quite low on iron and just had some blood tests including full blood count which shows my iron is very low.

didn’t realize this can affect TTC so much. Anyone else had this? Or managed to increase iron and get a BFP?🙏

I also have the same issue - although I’ve only just realised so haven’t managed to get them back up to normal and conceive yet.

I spoke to a few friends who have anemia and already have children, all have suggested to take doctors prescribed iron tablets and give it a few weeks on them.

I wouldn’t overly worry!

Have you been checked for Coeliac disease?

https://www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/your-gluten-free-hub/home-of-gluten-free-recipes/healthy-eating/iron/

https://www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/coeliac-disease/conditions-linked-to-coeliac-disease/infertility-and-coeliac-disease/

I am so so grateful you've made this post. I'm also TTC (GP knows this) and I've just been told I have low iron & been prescribed tablets - they didn't mention this could affect it at all!

are you taking iron supplements or specific tablets from the GP?

Yes, I had seven years of trying to conceive, including 4 years of fertility treatment, and it was my low iron/ferritin that was stopping me getting pregnant. It apparently affects the egg quality and the ability for the egg to fertilise. Anyway, long story short, my specialist spotted it and 8 weeks after stupidly high doses of iron, I got pregnant and I now have a DS.

Also, as someone else mentioned above, i'm now several years later being investigated for coeliac's disease, as the reason I can't keep my iron levels up (they're low again now and causing major problems.) So it may be worth getting a full investigation done to find out the root cause of it all.

@PatsyStonesBeehive really? I’ve never considered it before. I’m only borderline low from my last blood test so started taking iron supplements this week which hopefully will help and I’ll mention it to the Dr on my follow up x

I have some tablets from the GP but they haven’t done as well as liquid iron in the past so hopefully my liquid iron is arriving in the post today.

@PatsyStonesBeehive do you remember how much your high does of iron was please?

I was taking about 10 extra strong ferrous fumarate pills....so about 140mg a day? I was also told to stop all caffeine, and to take the pills with orange juice (Vit C) and a regular dose of folate to help absorption.

But please, anyone who doesn't know if they've anaemic. check with a Dr. that your levels are low before doing this as too much iron can be toxic and therefore dangerous, I believe.

Don't let your GP fob you off, Lime. My GP said low iron wasn't a problem, and my fertility specialist said the opposite. He said it was often the biggest factor for early miscarriages, because of the poor egg quality making full term pregnancy unviable. He also recommended taking Ubiquinol (most potent form for Co-enzyme q10) and Royal Jelly to help with egg quality. His advice obviously worked for me, and fingers crossed that you ladies start to see bfps once you get your levels sorted.

I've just looked at the email from my fertility specialist (just wanted to make sure I give you accurate info as it was 6 years ago). My ferritin level was 2 and my iron 8. I was told to get it up over 80. I was on the 10 pills (ferrous fumerate) for 2 weeks and then it was reduced to 4 (2 in morning and two at night) pills a day of Iron Biglycerate, so 80mg and I was retested at 8 weeks. I was already pregnant by then.

@PatsyStonesBeehive thank you!🙏🙏 I’m taking coq10 already so that’s a good start. Will let you know how I get on x

I did a thread yesterday about my low iron I’m also on cycle 28 ttc #3 so wonder if that’s also having an impact although we don have known fertility difficulties

My blood test has measured haemocrit. Normal range for women should be 36%+ and mine is 35% so I’m not drastically low. I’m wondering if an iron supplement would be enough. Do you remember testing for this?

I don't think I had the haemocrit levels tested. I can't see them mentioned in my test results. But i've had a google and It says haemoglobin levels should be 38-46% in adult females, so you're still a bit under what you should be. Plus, It's more important to look at your ferritin levels, I believe. Do you know what your ferritin is?

Have a read of this...

https://www.vita4you.gr/blog-vita4you/en/item/low-hematocrit-iron-and-ferritin-all-you-need-to-know.html

Bumping. Anyone have any updates post increasing iron?

I've been TTC for 8 months. With my first baby I conceived first month so it's been a bit of a shock this time to see it just isn't working.
Since having my baby I've had heavy periods. When I had blood tests a few months ago ferritin was 12. The "normal" range is 13-150 and my GP said because it was only 1 below normal range it wasn't an issue. +4 months I realised heavy periods can cause iron deficiency and iron deficiency can make TTC difficult. I've also had other symptoms - feel exhausted and sometimes breathless by end of day and keep getting mouth ulcers. Did another iron test and my ferritin was 16 but transferrin saturation was 15% (should be at least 20%). I spoke to a different GP and she said yes iron probably low and to take a multi vitamin with iron. So I've ordered one with 14mg iron - since I'm borderline low I want to be careful not to overdose (I read that 20mg + can cause bad effects). So now I'm really hoping this could make a difference.

Sounds like it can take a while to build back up again though?

Your doctor will prescribe martial supplements. Good luck to you! 🍀

Any update on here? Just been diagnosed with low iron and low haemoglobin.

Your doctor will prescribe martial supplements. Good luck to you! 🍀