Chronically low ferritin & iron levels

[Fletcher101]

Can anyone recommend anything to improve ferritin & iron levels? My ferritin is currently 4 and my iron is 6. My phosphate levels are also low. I’m at a loss at this stage. I’ve sore muscles, fast heartbeats,tiredness and hair loss. I cannot tolerate an iron tablet due to gastritis so the only available supplement is two spa tone sachets a day.Thanks.

If you can’t absorb it then you need iron infusions... what did your doc say? I was at 5 ferritin one year and now at 45 but I can absorb it and I got it up orally

Ps spatone not strong enough x

There are different iron tablets you can take and some might not upset your stomach as much as the other ones. Also, how many were you taking a day? When my ferritin levels were low, my GP prescribed 3 tablets a day. I couldn't tolerate this regime, so I started with one a day for a couple of weeks, then did two every other day and my stomach was able to cope with that. It meant that it took longer for my levels to go up, but they certainly did and after a few months, they were over 100, at which point I was able to stop them all together and my levels have remained ok since.

Wow swing of things- it took you so little time to get to 100? That’s amazing. I have only ever hear of anyone managing to go up 1 or 2 ferritin numbers a week max. What do you take please?

Spatone isn't the only available. There are liquid forms that are much more easily and quickly absorbed than tablets or capsules, but stronger doeses than spa tone. Try Ferroglobin liquid iron (Boots own brand, I think) or Floradix (very similar to Ferroglobin but twice the price.)

I regularly get anaemic and these are by far the best products. Also no horrible side effects of constipation which the tablets give you. The tablets are horrible. The liquids are plant based.

I'd ask about iron transfusions.

Thanks all, I did manage to increase my iron level from 7 to 10 and my ferritin to 9 taking 2 spatone a day. It dropped fairly quickly when I stopped though. It’s also works out expensive! My GP has recommended an infusion so I’m thinking I might have to go down that road. Anyone have any ideas on the phosphate? Tks.