How to boost my Iron & Ferratin QUICKLY!

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

I've been feeling like crap since Xmas and a blood test revealed I have low iron. I think my Ferratin was 35, and my other iron (haemoglobin?) was 40.

It's caused by heavy periods, due to fibroids.

I'm tired, breathless, anxious, dizzy. And I'm starting to worry my hair is falling out! It's certainly a LOT thinner recently.

The GP didn't offer me iron pills, just told me to take supplements.

Please tell me the best, fastest-acting type? And the best way to take them? On an empty stomach? Do I need to avoid caffeine (which I live on as I'm so knackered!).

Any help hugely appreciated. I'm 47 but I feel 97. 🙁

Oh can it AuntyElle? I didn't know that. I thought it was a bit dodgy buying it from a chemist via Amazon, that's put my mind to rest on that.

That's really interesting Auntyelle. Sounds like I have an old-fashioned GP who doesn't understand about ferritin.

Actually, Paris, looking again, the ferrous fumerate OTC eg Feroglobin is quite low dose, so I see what you mean now.

Oh well, I'll stick with the dodgy suppliers then ;) Doubt if GP would prescribe since my ferritin was at 21 when I got it privately tested.

But there was recent research to suggest that a lower dose of iron less often is better absorbed than a high dose twice a day. Reported here:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09ply54

Here’s a quote from the researcher, Professor Michael Zimmerman:
“It is counterintuitive but we found that actually giving a lower dose of iron every other day in a single dose is more effective than giving daily iron doses that are high and split throughout the day. It’s a simpler regimen and it results in about 30-40% higher iron absorption from the supplements.”

He was giving 60mg of iron every other day, rather than 60mg 2 or 3 times a day.

max out your vitamin c daily as well as having iron supplements - really helped with my ferritin

Noroo, ferritin is your iron store and you have virtually none. Women have this quite often, as they have periods, so their stores are endlessly depleted.

Don't worry about the GP, just get your own supplements and get cracking asap (see suggestions above about which form of supplement to try). Make sure you are eating sufficient protein, lots of leafy greens, where the B vits tend to be found and plenty of Vit C to aid the absorption of any iron you take.

I have been taking feroglobin but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Before that I was on iron tablets but can't remember which type but they upset my stomach hence the switch.

When I took ferrous fumarate 3 times a day it caused real problems, but taking it once a day has been ok after the first couple of weeks.

If your GP won’t help, Noroo, I’d try the Hemaplex plus extra bisglycinate as I put in the other thread (of you can afford it). Plus liver once a week.
Have you also had thyroid function and B12 checked?

Noroo, it can take months & months to rebuild iron stores, particularly if you have a period every month. Feroglobin is a ferrous fumerate supplement, so it may be that you don't absorb that form of iron well. Do you have a health food shop near you (not Holland & Barrett)? If yes, ask for chelated iron bisglycinate and see how you get on with that.

What's your diet like generally? How many cups of tea a day do you drink?

Thyroid and B12 came back as normal. I generally have 2 cups of tea and 2 coffee a day which doesn't seem too bad. I've given up liver because nobody else in the family will eat it! I will definitely try out the advice on this thread, thanks. OP - sorry for piggybacking on your thread. Hope you are finding it useful too!

Hi I also have problems with my ferritin it's a level 5 I have sytron was told take one spoonful a day did nothing still felt spaced out and breathless so started taking two was a bit better for about a month and now I'm feeling crap again with chest pains and in middle of back not all time but can last a while anyone have any ideas how I can fix this please x

Just pop into Boots go to the pharmacy counter and ask for their ferrous sulphate tablets, they’re little white sugar coated tablets and are the best ones you can get. They come in a little red and white clinical looking box. Take them with a large glass of orange juice and they’ll do the job. Take the max doseage until you’re better then stay on a lower doseage indefinately. I take movicol sometimes with it just to keep my bowels moving nicely.