Increasing iron stores - how did you feel?

[TulipsTwoLips]

I have always suffered from low serum ferritin mainly due to heavy periods.

I've been prescribed ferrous glucomate as everything else made me constipated almost instantly. Even with these I'm finding that I can only take one a day. My ferritin level is currently 12.

I feel exhausted constantly with a lack of motivation, pale skin and increasing brain fog.

Has anyone successfully increased their levels, and did you miraculously gain energy and enthusiasm for life or am I just kidding myself that this is the solution?

Thank you all for sharing your stories and tips. I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering too, but these positive stories are really helping and are giving me lots of reassurance and advice.

I hope you all find a way to feel better soon.

How's your thyroid? I'm on levothyroxine, it all seems to be connected.

@Eloisedublin123 sorry just London, Guildford and Macclesfield at the moment. We do have people travel over but understand that's not always possible. Still happy to review bloods for free though

Thyroid was at 2.8 which a few drs have said is fine?

I guess that's your T4? Mine was normal range too, it was my T3 that gave it away when they finally tested for that too. Might be worth asking.

@whatnow40, can I ask if you’re in the UK? The care you’re getting sounds amazing!

I definitely felt a difference in increased energy after two infusions . I'd also had a long term craving for oranges (which contain vitamin c , that you really need to take for absorption of iron) that just went when my levels were normal!

Hopefully your GP has looked at the reason for heavy periods and referred?

A few years ago my ferritin was only 2! I was getting UTI's, tired and unusual food cravings like crunching on ice! It takes 3mths for all your red blood cells to replicate, so its not a quick fix even once you start taking tablets. Like others have said, you need to look at your dietary intake, not just reply on tablets. Once I was better, there was a ridge across my nails where they had grown back much stronger!

• Vit c helps absorb iron, so its often found in iron tablets/liquids. peppers, citrus & some fruits are high in Vit C and advised to have in a meal rich in iron, or a glass of orange juice.
• Tannins will deplete the iron absorption from foods, so never have your pills or iron rich foods with high tannin foods like tea, coffee or red wine. I cut my intake of all these when I was taking iron pills to speed up my recovery.
• I used to hate liver, but found I could tolerate it with onion, bacon and gravy! Pigs liver is very strong, but calves liver better.
• Spirulina is a blue/green algae that is surprisingly high in iron and comes in tablet, liquid and powder forms. I doubt it could replace iron pills, but might be an added supplement to consider.
• have you considered speaking to your GP about the heavy periods? Going on the pill or having a coil inserted might be an option to lighten and even stop your periods.

Best of luck and I hope you are feeling better soon.

Thanks. No interest from the GP in looking at the cause of heavy periods unfortunately. We're ttc at the moment so that limits the pill/coil etc.

The heavy periods are likely the predominant cause, not tannins or dietary intake. The thing is, in post-menopausal women & men, anaemia is pretty rare and considered a sign that something is wrong (gastric bleeding), but it’s common amongst women of child bearing age.

I realised yesterday there’s two benefits I’ve had since my iron levels got better - I’ve stopped getting foot cramps at night, and my hair seems to be growing in thicker.

@jcurve oh yes, an end to the foot cramps would be lovely!

Second week of 2 tablets a day with orange juice and not near tea or dairy.

Starting to feel like there might be light at the end of the tunnel...

Great. How are you coping with them? Any constiptation/diarrhoea?

Not too bad so far thanks. Intestine is a little sore at times but I'll keep going for the time being.

I’ve been feeling really tired and had what I thought was a full blood test . When I called for the results I was told everything was fine and when I asked about my ferritin level was told that because my haemoglobin level was 150 the lab didn’t check my ferritin. Does anyone know if this is normal ? The GP dismissed my concerns about ferritin and said that most women would have low ferritin ! I’m not sure whether to push for another blood test or not ? A few months earlier I had to really push for iron tablets for my son as his ferritin was 30 and he was really not himself . I was told by a medical person at his sports club that for the amount of activity he was doing it should be above 50 . The GP very reluctantly prescribed a 3 month course of iron and his energy levels seem much better.

I don't know if it's usually included in a FBC but mine was on a separate sheet. It was definitely useful to have as my haemoglobin was fine but I was still feeling awful.

I'm sorry to read about the problems you are having.
I just wanted to say that for those of you trying to increase iron in your diet, but are not keen on liver, then I have found chicken liver is very acceptable. I make a risotto with bacon and it's tasty...

@katiemorag2 you need your ferritin checked. Yes it is common for most women's ferritin to be low but it is not acceptable! It can be raised leaving you feeling much better with an improved quality of life. Get it checked. If below 30 you would benefit from an infusion. 30-50 is a grey area and infusion may be right option depending on how you feel.

I have regular iron infusions, even then my ferritin usually only rises to around 22.

I had a ferritin level of 12 a year ago was exhausted by the time I got to the top of the stairs. wish I'd been offered a transfusion. really struggled with any iron tablets. better now, but not great. useful info on this thread, thanks all.

I called for the results I was told everything was fine and when I asked about my ferritin level was told that because my haemoglobin level was 150 the lab didn’t check my ferritin. Does anyone know if this is normal ?

It is at the lab the surgery I work in use. If full blood count and anaemia screen is ordered but the FBC is ‘normal’ then the ferritin, B12/folate won’t be checked.
If ferritin is ordered separately it will be so it depends on what was requested.

I wish I could have an infusion. For the Lab values in my area normal is above 20. I have no clue why my dr isn’t concerned about my ferritin being only 22 when I take Ferrous fumerate 3 X a day. I’ve spent the last 3 years constantly saying I’m tired but I think they just have me down as a hypochondriac.

It's frustrating, isn't it. I think I've just learnt to put up with feeling awful over the years, but there must be more to life than this!

My ferritin level was 8 when I was diagnosed as anemic (Haemoglobin level was 9.1). Had been feeling tired/lethargic for ages but just put it down to two kids, full time work, exercising regularly etc. Was put on ferrous fumerate 2x a day and literally within two weeks it was like I was another person. I couldn't believe the difference. It really made me realise how utterly exhausted and rubbish I'd been feeling all the time and how I had normalised it. Took me six months to get my ferritin levels up to 63. I still take one ferrous fumerate tablet a few times a week as I'm paranoid my hb/ferritin levels will drop again.

@Walnutwhipster that is odd. Do you mind confirming what does infusions you had and what your ferritin was before the infusion? It should have risen more than that.

How long have people waited before their second blood test? It's about a month since my last one and I want to check I'm going in the right direction, but am wondering if I'll see any progress at all yet.