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Original poster

Worrying tests following low iron results

23 replies

Alexkat76 · 21/01/2018 16:42

Please can someone help me!
I went to have a blood test last week to check my hormone levels as I was feeling so tired all the time and couldn't get motivated to do anything. Very unlike me, and friends suggested I maybe starting the menopause. I was considering hrt once I had the results.
Anyway, the results came back and hormone levels are all fine but the doctor was very concerned about severe vitamin d deficiency (fairly easily rectified) but also extremely low iron levels (ferritin level 5) although haemoglobin levels are normal. I have very heavy periods but he said he thinks it is more than that and I may have 'hidden internal bleeding' I am being sent for a blood test for bowel cancer markers and have to have samples checked for blood. I lost my dad to bowel cancer 9 years ago. He died within 4 months of being diagnosed. Please help, I'm terrified. Is he just being over cautious? Has anyone else had experience of something similar? I thought it was all going to be so straight forward with my blood test and suddenly all this has happened.
My tests are next week.

OP posts:

GrockleBocs · 21/01/2018 16:47

I don't know about hidden bleeding but I do know that when my periods were at their worst, my ferritin level was 6. There was no sinister cause. Hopefully this is the case for you too

fairgame84 · 21/01/2018 16:50

My ferritin level was 5 in November and I wasn't sent for further tests. I have a history of low ferritin and internal bleeding has never been mentioned by the numerous GPs I've seen.
I think your GP is just being over cautious due to your family history.

brownelephant · 21/01/2018 16:51

good that your gp is on the ball.
hopefully investigations will reveal nothing sinister, but with your family history it's worth looking into.

Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername · 21/01/2018 16:56

I have extremely low iron levels, and very heavy periods. I was also sent for various tests, but everything came back fine. I agree with a pp...ur GP is being sensible, but I'm sure everything will be fine

Ponshuspirate · 21/01/2018 16:57

Please have a hand hold from me. I've been through tests and waiting and it's horrible. The best advice someone gave me was to keep busy and do normal stuff and lots of nice things.

Fairylea · 21/01/2018 17:00

I can understand how worried you must be but severe anaemia doesn’t always have a cause. I have severe anaemia, I don’t even have periods as I’m on the mini pill and I have had a billion blood tests and investigations and they can’t find anything wrong with me other than being hypothyroid and having Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency). I just take daily high dose iron tablets. I know it’s hard but try not to think the worst, it may just be one of those weird things.

AllButterShortbread · 21/01/2018 17:04

Gosh how worrying for you. I’ve been there more than once and I honestly think the worry has aged me each time! Some gps are brutal sometimes in the way they say “oh yes we’d better check you for cancer” without realising how utterly terrifying this is for the patient. It’s just their day to day language. They’re just being thorough though.

Assuming you have no other bowel issues then the likely cause seems to be your heavy periods. Not sure why external blood loss would have a different effect on ferritin levels to internal?

FoofFighter · 21/01/2018 17:05

Have you had B12 tested?

Original poster

Alexkat76 · 21/01/2018 17:25

Wow! Can't believe all the quick replies - thank you all so much. All your kind, reassuring words really means a lot to me.
I'm sure he is just being over - cautious, and you're right that doctors drop in the word cancer sometimes forgetting what an affect that will have on the patient they are talking to. He is a very blunt doctor!
B12 wasn't mentioned so I'm not sure if I've been tested for that. I'll mention it next week.
Apart from the over-whelming tiredness, I haven't got any other reason to think anything is wrong. My dad had no symptoms at all though. I only mentioned to the doctor what he had died from after he had said what tests he was going to do, and that's when he said he wanted me in for a blood test next week ☹️
I need to stop panicking!
Thanks again x

OP posts:

Bellamuerte · 21/01/2018 18:07

i had extremely low iron levels and it was caused by coeliac disease. Might be worth asking to be tested?

minifingerz · 21/01/2018 18:33

My ferritin levels were 4 a couple of years ago, normal HB.

Doc never showed any concern about anything sinister. My periods were bad for years so that was probably the cause.

I’ve got them up by taking iron and going through menopause. No more periods!

Original poster

Alexkat76 · 21/01/2018 21:37

Thank you x

OP posts:

MadisonMontgomery · 21/01/2018 21:41

My ferritin level was 2 when I had it tested a few weeks ago and my GP wasn’t concerned - yours will just be erring on the side of caution.

Original poster

Alexkat76 · 21/01/2018 22:18

Thank you, that's good to hear. Have you been put on iron tablets?

OP posts:

GrockleBocs · 22/01/2018 00:03

Madison 2? And not concerned? That sounds bizarre. Are you not exhausted? Your blood will struggle to clot at that level. Why did they test your ferritin level?

Couchpotato3 · 22/01/2018 00:07

GP is rightly being cautious because of your family history, but it's far more likely that your ferritin is depleted because of your periods.

MadisonMontgomery · 22/01/2018 18:31

I got a range of blood tests done because my hair had started to fall out - it has done it on and off since my early teens and I just assumed it was a random thing so only went when my hairdresser told me to get it checked out. Yeah I thought it was pretty low - I work at a GP practice and don’t think I have seen anyone’s results that low before but he didn’t seem concerned!

NewYearNiki · 22/01/2018 18:35

but also extremely low iron levels (ferritin level 5) although haemoglobin levels are normal

I had a haemoglobin of 7 and a ferritin of 5.

Your haemoglobin is normal and mine was very low too.

Had all the tests and nothing wrong.

Most people in this country are vit d deficient as my consultant told me.

Dobby1sAFreeElf · 22/01/2018 18:39

At my worst my ferritin was 1.2, normal HB. Subsequent tests have revealed pernicious anaemia (b12) and hashimotos disease (thyroid). Ferritin only got just above 24 when I was on tablets. Its OK now, thanks to an endometrial ablation and no more heavy periods.

Hope your gp is just being over cautious. [Flowers]

Dreamslongforgotten75 · 24/01/2018 12:41

Another one with low ferritin 4,6 & 9 on different test results. My overall iron was low too at 7. My GP wasn’t particularly worried either & just recommended taking Iron. I’m sure you are fine and your GP is bring extra careful. Good luck !

Tanfastic · 24/01/2018 18:33

I think your gp is covering all bases op as sometimes low iron level can be caused by bleeding which was the case with my father in law. His go referred him for a colonoscopy whic a benign tumour was found. A simple op and he’s fine. He is quite old though! I hope haven’t scared you because it’s more likely it something simple. He wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t investigate.

Original poster

Alexkat76 · 24/01/2018 19:22

Thanks so much for your thoughts and experiences. I feel much happier about things - still worried but not in full panic mode anymore!

OP posts:

S22 · 01/06/2024 10:21

Hey how did your tests go x

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