I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia last year (it's suspected that I have coeliac disease and I'm waiting for a colonoscopy).
I took iron tablets for six months and was told that I could discontinue treatment. My GP said that my ferritin levels were normal even though my serum iron was still "on the low side" (11.6). He wrote to the haematology department at the hospital about this and they replied that no action was needed, but I should be monitored for any changes.
It's been seven months since I took iron and I have slowly become symptomatic again. I feel very unwell - exhausted (even doing small things like washing my hair, grating cheese, etc), breathless, hair falling out, chest pain, tingling in my hands and feet, dizzy, and muscle weakness.
I had blood tests this week and the results are:
Serum C Reactive Protein Level: < 4 mg/L [0.0 - 6.0]
Serum Iron: 11.6 [10.0-30.4]
Serum Ferritin: 190.8 ug/L [10.0 - 291.0]
Transferrin Level: 2.35 g/L [2.5 - 3.8] Below low reference limit
Percentage Iron Saturation: 22 % [16.0 - 50.0]
Serum Folate Level: 7.98 ug/L [> 5.38]
Serum B12 Level: 1063.0 ng/L [211.0 - 911.0]
Serum TSH Level: 2.31 miu/L [0.35-5.5]
Is there anything here that might explain why I'm feeling so unwell?
My GP says that I do not have anaemia. She said that my white blood count [10.7] and platelet count [413] are above range - she thinks from a mild chest infection I had this summer - and that this may have impacted my recent ferritin result.
My B12 levels were also low last year and I take a 5000mg supplement each day. My GP has not been able to explain how this supplement will affect my test results or whether it is masking a deficiency.
I'm happy to post any other results if they'd help.