Low iron, irregular periods, doctors appointments

[OnNaturesCourse]

I have had a blood test done and they have sent out a letter to me saying I have low iron levels, the GP has written a prescription out for me to collect and asks that I make an appointment.

I originally had the blood tests as I've been suffering with hair loss, and irregular periods (longer cycles) I am 15 months post partum.

My question is can low iron cause the above? I've never heard of it causing my symptoms. Also why do I need the appointment if they've aleady written a prescription?

Typical the letter arrives at the weekend so I have to wait to speak to a GP, and I'm a natural worrier.

Low iron (low ferritin) can cause hair loss, tiredness, dizzy ness, general feeling of blah! You will be on an iron supplement for 6 months with regular reviews to make sure the level is coming up. Hope this is useful.

My letter does actually say the GP would like me booked in for a review, do you think it means a review of treatment and not a actual appointment?

Yeah more than likely. X

Thanks. I get myself in such a tiz over these matters.

I really hope the treatment gives me the boost I need and helps my hair, its coming in heaps now 😢

My iron was 6 last year - the baby would have been a bit under 2. That was a year ago. My iron is now 34 and while I’m a lot better, GP says I should aim for 50 ideally 70 (which is much higher than google says)

Make sure you take it with vitamin c (OJ or a tablet) and at least an hour before food and tea/coffee, or 2 hours after. I’ve stopped the morning cuppa and have the tab instead, then an hour later I’m ‘allowed’ breakfast and a coffee or tea. I probably do that maybe 5 or 6 days a week (the other day I think sod it and have a coffee). If you drink loads of tea or dairy you might struggle to ever get enough iron out of your diet.

I never had ‘regular monitoring’ I just made fresh appointments when my symptoms didn’t improve very much (it took ages to rise at all for me- but eventually did when I stopped tea and milk products almost completely).

Hope you feel better soon