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Conception

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Apparently I have low iron.. what does this mean for TTC?

12 replies

MademoiselleFrenglish · 20/03/2024 13:33

I got a blood test done recently and the results flagged up that I have a low hemoglobin level 10.4 g/1000mL and ferritin 21.5.

Been doing some googling, and it seems to say that conception is really difficult with levels that low, especially ferritin, is that the case?

Any help would be wonderful, I'm going a little bit crazy over here...

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chatenoire · 20/03/2024 13:37

Not really. I have chronic low ferritin and that wasn't a problem

MademoiselleFrenglish · 20/03/2024 14:00

How long did it take you to conceive? I've been trying for 16 months now and so far it seems to be the only thing that's "off". It seems it's been a problem with others having trouble conceiving and their specialists/doctors have confirmed it's the issue.

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chatenoire · 20/03/2024 16:54

It took around 9 months, it was my high TSH that was the problem, not my Ferritin.

MademoiselleFrenglish · 21/03/2024 11:01

I've got various doctor appointments coming up so I'll see what she says. In the meantime I've got some iron supplements so I hope it'll solve it soon..

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MotherOfShihTzus · 21/03/2024 11:29

Best iron supplement to take is spatone - the liquid form, with vitamin c to help absorption. I have a glass of water plus spatone, plus effervescent vit c tablet - like having a squash

MademoiselleFrenglish · 21/03/2024 11:55

MotherOfShihTzus · 21/03/2024 11:29

Best iron supplement to take is spatone - the liquid form, with vitamin c to help absorption. I have a glass of water plus spatone, plus effervescent vit c tablet - like having a squash

I bought some ferrotone last night, it looks identical to spatone (packing, logo, etc[ when I google it - do you know if it's the same, please? I'm in France so maybe that's the French name.. I'll ask my doctor regardless.

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MademoiselleFrenglish · 21/03/2024 12:10

Have found the answer, yes ferrotone is the same as spatone, same product just different name over here. The ones I've got already have vitamin C in and I drink vit C throughout the day anyway so that should be fine!

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booktokbear · 21/03/2024 12:19

I have chronically low ferritin, And when I was TT. I also had anaemia. I conceived first time of trying both times.

I have to have a blood transfusion during my pregnancy as iron transfusions weren't allowed, and I was always super tired but it didn't after TTC.

MademoiselleFrenglish · 21/03/2024 12:22

This is what I've found. For now it's all I have to cling to after TTC for 16 months and whilst waiting for other tests. I need to get those levels up anyway so I'll cross my fingers that this was the issue.

Apparently I have low iron.. what does this mean for TTC?
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HPrior · 03/09/2024 16:12

@MademoiselleFrenglish any update on whether iron supplements have helped? If yes, how long did it take to build up levels? I got pregnant easily first time but trying for baby #2 has been very different. I have heavy periods since my first child (apparently quite normal after you have a baby) and realised I have a relatively mild deficiency (below normal range on a couple of iron measures). This is the only thing so far I have found "wrong" with me. Like you, I am clinging to the hope that this might be the answer.

ThatBlueBiscuit · 04/09/2024 14:23

Also looking for an update please...I was pregnant first time trying with first child but since have had very heavy periods and low iron. Had a MMC in March also lost a lot of blood and since haven't been able to conceive...been on ferrous fumarate for the last 2 months due to low iron, will this help?

MademoiselleFrenglish · 16/09/2024 14:09

@HPrior @ThatBlueBiscuit

Apologies for not coming back to the thread, I've only just seen these notifications!

Unfortunately it hasn't proven to be the answer for me, however, I've since had an HSG which has revealed that one of my tubes is entirely blocked and the other was partially blocked (a bit more open now thanks to the HSG), so that's been my problem rather than the low iron!

I scoured the internet about low iron and as far as I can tell, yes it plays a part but I don't know to what extent. My own GP and gynae don't think it has a role at all but I've been diagnosed with thalassemia so my GP has given me more iron supplements. On the other hand, my mother has always had very low iron (even has required transfusions) and she had no trouble conceiving, despite also only having one tube!

Overall I think it's really worth it to get some bloods done and if your iron or feritin is low, to get some supplements. Every little helps and it could be the missing piece for you, even though it wasn't for me. Getting the bloods done is really important though because if you're not deficient but you start taking supplements, you can give yourself iron toxicity which is awful.

Be warned though that they're not pleasant, I take the liquid version and mix it with orange juice (vitamin C helps absorption, also stay away from chocolate, dairy, caffeine and alcohol for at least an hour prior and after taking the iron) and I usually feel really quite uncomfortably nauseous afterwards and really need to be near a loo for at least a few hours after. It gives me pretty intense diarrhea that appears all of a sudden and can go on for a few trips to the loo.

I really hope your issues are simply a lack of iron! Good luck to you both!! xx

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