Anaemia: ferritin levels 5. How low is this and can it cause depressive symptoms?

[dontrunwithscissors]

My GP finally tested for anaemia this week. I've been complaining of extreme fatigue for at least 9 months, but it kept being put down to lingering symptoms of depression as I have bipolar. My GP ignored the fact that I'd also developed: heart palpitations, fainting, dizziness, weakness, brain fog, breathlessness, cracking/dry/bleeding in the skin around my eyes, finger-tips and corners of my mouth, losing hair.

My ferritin levels came back as 5. How 'bad' is this? I feel so utterly drained. I can barely climb the stairs due to the weakness and breathlessness. I'm now on iron supplements. I'm really hoping that the ongoing 'depression' is actually the anaemia. Can anyone shed light on the likelihood of this?

How long will it take for me to feel any benefit from the supplements? I'm barely functioning; I'm working from home as I'm too exhausted to leave the house, but I can't concentrate enough to get anything done.

I've been taking iron since early sept. I had dc3 in Oct and lost a fair amount of blood. In last weeks I've had more energy than I've had for years.

I've had my levels tested and I am up to 50 and 120 - much better although I might carry on a bit longer given this thread.

Its amazing!

Dontrun, 0.65 is very good. It's recommended now that it's kept around this level.

I do know that in 2011/12 a brand of thyroxine 100's made by TEVA had to be withdrawn as it was faulty. My tsh was higher at that time due to that. But that was about 4 years ago now!

I can't function at 2.5.

It's funny as the TSH has never been that low. I've always been fine around 2. I would like it checked again as going from 4.11 to 0.65 in 3 months without any change in thyroxine dose seems weird

That is odd. What dose are you on?

A lot of things interfere with thyroxine. Eg grapefruit, medications. Enough to sometimes alter things, or a missed dose once a week or so can also have that effect.

Nope, nothing like that has changed over the 3 months. The way my GP talks, j suspect she won't want to test to again for three months. I think that the last two tests can't be relied upon

Yes three months is generally a good wait as thyroxine has a long half life unless major symptoms, eg over active.

In 3 months ferritin should be climbing if nothing else going on. So it would be good to see how you feel then at all these levels iykwim.

You have hypothyroidism don't you? - not a partial thyroidectomy or anything? A friend had a partial and eventually came off thyroxine as the other half grew (though likely to need it again at some point in the future)

It's frustrating how long it can take to feel better but I'm sure you will soon.

The pill can affect how much thyroxine you need btw.

I guess it could be part of the autoimmune process which can waver a bit up and down as the antibodies attack the thyroid though usually it's a steady decline.

Hi Guys,

My ferratin was 4 and haemoglobin 88. They have just put me on ferrous sulphate 3 times a day. I am constantly anaemic because of heavy periods and my periods are every 3 weeks. Should I be worried.