How bad are my iron levels??

[CocoSims]

So I’ve never had iron problems before, I’m 37 and have two DD’s, youngest is 4. Not been feeling well lately, been back and fourth to docs with achey bones, joint pain, exhaustion, breathless, heart monitor for constant palpitations etc... had some bloods done last week and they did ‘iron studies’, don’t think they include this as standard so not sure if I’ve had this before but ferritin has come back at 18 and iron and 7. I literally know nothing about this stuff, are these levels bad low or just low? Can I get them back up okay? The doc said I wasn’t anaemic just low iron is there a difference?

Could this be cashing my symptoms? I have relatively heavy periods but random this would start out of the blue now?

Any advice greatly received

Also I’ve got ferrous sulphate tabs (200mg) from boots my mum recommended and then I have Spatone, I prefer the spatone but does it have enough iron? An I take more than one sachet? Sorry for all the questions

Ferritin is on the low side at 18 - but ok. These are your iron stores.

When you say 'iron' do you mean haemoglobin levels? Yes that's a bit low - anything under 10 is low.

Your best bet is to focus on iron-rich foods but doctor might also recommend taking tablets. Ensure you take something with decent levels - none of those liquid ones. Galfer tablets are good tho can be hard on your stomach.

@CocoSims

Also I’ve got ferrous sulphate tabs (200mg) from boots my mum recommended and then I have Spatone, I prefer the spatone but does it have enough iron? An I take more than one sachet? Sorry for all the questions

Sorry didn't see this one.

Spatone is no use. Just not strong enough.

Yes to ferrous sulphate.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Thank you so much, really helpful and reassuring

What was your vitamin D level? Some of your symptoms could also be low vitamin D.

Thank you, my Vitamin D was 70. They suspected this may have been the cause too as I’ve been deficient before but that levels okay. I’m in a lot of pain this evening. I was hoping the bloods would come back with something concrete

Ah, yes 70 is good. One less problem to overcome. The only other thing I can suggest while you wait for tests and a diagnosis is magnesium spray on the aches. If you don't have a spray, an Epsom Salt bath or magnesium tablets. It might help.
I really hope you get this sorted and feel better soon. 💐

Thank you so much x

@EarringsandLipstick I suspect she means iron level and not Hb. She said that her GP said she was not anaemic.

Your levels are low, but not unusually so for a menstruating women. I would take an iron supplement such as ferrous sulphate or ferrous fumarate.

I would ask for a referral to rheumatology.

great that the gp did some tests, but it seems that now is the time to look deeper.

P.s there is recent evidence to suggest that low dose oral iron is just as effective as higher dose treatment, so one tablet of ferrous sulphate a day might be enough (and may avoid the side effects).

Do you think I need to look deeper or just accept this is from my relatively heavy periods? From Annie says this isn’t that unusual? I’ve actually been looking online and quite surprised at how many women are low in iron, it seems quite common so unless I go full blown anaemic doesn’t sound like I need to take it further?

I might be wrong though... honestly new to this and don’t know anything about this other than what I’ve read

You need to speak to your GP to discuss this. You probably need a blood test to check for coeliac disease, but my learning has been that pre menopausal women don't need other tests unless they have other symptoms (such as change in bowel habit, bleeding from the back passage etc). Post menopausal iron deficiency should always be investigated though.

Hi OP
Many GPs will tell you that your ferritin level is "normal". In one sense that's true, as it over the NHS standard range minimum of 11. However, the NHS sets a very low bar for ferritin levels. In many other countries their lower level is 20 or even 30.
If you look online you will see that many people do not feel well under a level of 50. Take a look a the Iron Clinic website for more information.
I have a malabsorption problem which means I have regular iron infusions and blood tests to monitor my ferritin levels. The aim is to keep my level above the minimum. I have iron infusions when my ferritin drops to the 20's as by that stage I am constantly fatigued, sore tongue, brittle nails etc.
If I were you I would push for oral therapy (ask for ferrous gluconate rather than ferrous sulphate which are harder to tolerate) and a re-test in 3 months.
Good luck.

Thanks both that’s really helpful. Out of interest do you get any bone/joint pain when you’re levels are low? I’ve been getting bad pains in my bones, like growing pains when I was young, which along with tiredness is why I went to docs in the first place. Doctor said low iron wouldn’t cause the pains but some places online suggest otherwise?
I’m going to check out that website golden dog, thanks. Really interesting that you get tired in your 20’s, I’ve been exhausted for ages so wonder how long this could’ve been going on for

Ferritin for women of child bearing age should be around 70 to be optimal. I hover in the 20-24 region and i really notice a difference when it drops below that (and have palpitations all the time due to the low level generally). At its worst mine was 12 and I could barely function/lift my head. Spatone will not be enough. Especially as you're anaemic as well.

I also take tranexemic acid during periods to lower blood loss. I asked for iron infusions and was turned down.

@cocosims I’m currently going through this with the same symptoms ! My dr tested everything - he did an esr test which is an antibodies test - mine was high which explained the joint pain. I’m taking ferrous sulphate, folic acid and magnesium and feeling a lot better and the joint pain has also eased

I was told last week I had a ferritin level of 21. One week after starting medication I’m already feeling like a different woman. I’m 63

how are your ferritin levels now? I suffer with low ferritin although it always comes back within range..so doctors not do anything for me so I buy supplements myself take for 3 months then re test to keep an eye on it my symtoms are
breathless chest pain tired hair loss joint pain muscle pain I get tingling and numbness blurry vision I'm pale and have dark circles round eyes and restless legs the first time my ferritin was tested it was 27 january 2021 so from january until April I took 2 sachets spatone with pure orange a day and in April it was 47 then I took ferrous fumarate from April until july twice a day and my levels went up to 76 I stopped supplementing by November I'm back down to 41 my symptoms are back...anything under 100 for ferritin is symptomatic so we need to maintain it over 125 for 6 month for healing you should join some face book groups there are amazing theres a really good one called the iron protocol read the guides it explains everything hope your feeling better now

I had a similar issue with my ferritin levels which my GP insisted were fine as they were within range. I self medicated with an iron bisglycinate supplement (they are gentle, easily absorbable, and non-constipating) and when I had a private blood test 3 months later, my levels were up to 70+ although I already knew they'd worked as I felt better and my hairloss had slowed down.