Iron anaemia

[clairethewitch70]

Does anyone know what the normal levels in blood is for iron. I have symptoms such as breathlessness, dizziness and tachycardia. My level is 26.

The normal range for plasma iron concentration for a woman is between 10 and 28 micromol/L.

Could you tell us where you got the iron measurement from? If you were being investigated for iron-deficiency anaemia they would usually start with a red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and measures of haemoglobin (total and mean corpuscular concentration).

Thanks @Skiitan. Just saw your reply. I had a FBC. Was not specially being tested for anaemia. Told GP symptoms and he needed to check thyroid levels so he added in the FBC (I am on thyroxine).

When I rang for the results, they said iron was on the low side but they don't start treating until it reaches 15. Could it be ferritin instead?

@clairethewitch70 - I'm afraid it could be almost anything. Doctors have this habit of quoting numbers without units and telling you it's a measure of one thing when it's actually a measure of another. If it came from a FBC it's probably not ferritin (normal range 10-300 ng/mL), but if they happened to have ordered a haematinics screen at the same time it might be. It could be mean cell haemoglobin (27-32 pg), if they were saying 26 was slightly low, but I'm really just guessing here. Would you be able to get a copy of the results?

I have very very low iron stores, but normal iron in my blood, although I think some of my red blood cells are an odd shape. mine was low ferretin I think (4). My Gp said she wanted it ideally at around 80.

( not medical at all - but this is how the dr described it to me). So I’m not classed as anemic but I am symptomatic so have to take iron supplements, Tranexamic acid and my levels get tested every 6 weeks with my thyroid.

Mine is caused by coeliac even after being gluten free for 2 yearsits yets to creep up beyond 10.

Hope that helps

I will try and get a copy of my results.

In the meantime I have bought some of this to try, see if it makes me feel better.

www.amazon.co.uk/Vitabiotics-Feroglobin-Liquid-500-ml/dp/B009M3THNM/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?keywords=feroglobin&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1529966280&sr=8-2

Have a listen to the iron taking advice on this recent radio prog.

Also, cut dairy and anything with calcium or tea in out during the day or within an hour or two of other foods esp iron rich foods. Eat all iron rich foods (eg rare steak) and tablets with orange juice / vitamin c. Don't take iron bear yoyr thyroxine (check leaflet).

I got my ferritin up very well and spookily better than with the prescribed tablets (which gave me ibs) by switching to oatley during the day and eating lots of iron rich foods with vit c.

I do feel better if my ferritin is over 70. Also on thyroxine.

Oops prog:

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09ply54