Iron and ferritin

[Thelittleoneattheback]

Hi
Just looking to see if anyone can shed some light on this. I've been feeling unwell for months- various issues but one of which is extreme fatigue and my hair has thinned out massively in the last 8 months or so. I've just had some routine bloods done and when I rang the results line the receptionist said they're all within nor al range. I asked what my iron level was and she said 18. I asked about my ferritin and she said 11.6

I had been expecting to be anemic as I felt very much like I had after having both of my children where I had lost a lot of blood after each birth, and also as I have very heavy periods.. but I think 18 is high? Is tht right? I've been taking 20mg of iron a day to see if that helps my hair, but my ferritin is very low.. I read it needs to be over 70 for new hair to start growing.
I don't understand how I can have high iron but low ferritin. Or is 18 not high iron? I'm so confused. Its like fort knox trying to get in again the drs at the moment so thought I'd see if anyone can shed some light. Thnk you xx

Hi, I also have suffered with low ferritin since the birth of my second child 17 months ago but was only actually anemic straight after the birth due to loosing so much blood. I have felt "off" ever since having him with fatigue, headaches, palpitations, chest pain, weakness, muscle aches etc etc but gp said low ferritin can cause all these symptoms. I think you need to supplement for a while to build your stores back up.

Should add that my ferritin was down to 9 but should be at least over 15 according to gp. No idea what my levels are now. Need to get tested really!

Think 18 is ok but not brilliant.

I had very low ferritin but ok iron - still anaemic but not in proportion to the ferritin issue. Think my iron was equivalent to 11.

I had an iron infusion in the end and it went from 5 to 150 odd. Waiting for the hair regrowth.

I'm so confused as I looked up what iron levels should be for females and it says between 12 and 17 (that us for haemoglobin levels), I'm seemingly that was what she meant when she said 18 or maybe it was a different measure she was talking about ?!? Just don't see how I could have what would then be classes as high iron but very low ferritin at 11. I always read its unsafe to take iron unless you need it (I havent been prescribed it but I take 20mg and was hoping to increase to 40mg to help my hair which is getting me down) but now I'm unsure as although my iron stores are low, if the levek in my blood is high i don't know if its unsafe . I'm probably overthinking it .. x

20mg is very low dose. Same as spa tone isn't it?

I think it's fine.

There are loads of iron/ blood related blood tests. Maybe call gp and ask for a print out of results or via email? You can then understand.

Even when mine was at 5 the Gp was totally unfussed. I think the ranges of normal are large abs you can be low for you and still in range. So normal as it were. Hb is is measured in different units some times. So blood donation refused me as mine was 121 which I think is similar to 12 in different unit - someone please correct me !?

Mine was later 11 and ferritin v low.

The Gp did prescription iron supplements at my request (200mg 3x day) but I couldn't tolerate them. I then was able to get iron infusion though privately.

I think to get the growth of hair you are going to need something stronger but I'm not a doctor. Maybe get a second opinion

Your ferritin is very low - below range - which can have an impact on eg thyroid function.
Get your test results and ranges printed off and then you can research the situation. Dont be fobbed off by a receptionist - its not their job to pass judgement/offer opinions.

Healthy NHS ferritin ranges 10 - 291
Healthy NHS iron 10 - 30.4

Ferritin is your iron store so that’s your reserves. Iron is essentially just your free iron in your blood.

Your ferritin is hanging on by a thread so no it definitely needs to go up.

If you don’t get your reserves up you’ll become anaemic so start taking ferrous sulphate 200mg once a day with orange juice (or one in the morning and one at night if you can tolerate it, boots do it super cheap just ask at the pharmacy).

You’re certainly low enough to have symptoms. Spatone is useless, it only has 6mg iron per sachet. The ferrous sulphate 200mg tabs have 65mg iron in per tab. Spatone is only good if you aren’t deficient and want to maintain a healthy level.

Hope this helps.

Your posts are a little confusing - is it iron or haemoglobin (they’re different)? An Hb of 18 in a woman would be unusual. How significant it is if it’s actually iron depends on the units. You can have low iron stores without being very anaemic. Ferritin of 11 is right at the bottom of the normal range so could be causing symptoms (that said though, having got mine up that high from much lower I felt flipping brilliant so it may not be what’s causing your symptoms).

It’s probably best to speak to your GP and get their advice as they’ll have the context of the rest of your history/ any other bloods to help too.

And no 20mg isn’t enough, especially if you’re still having periods and your currently that low. It’s no biggy, loads and loads of women have low iron due to heavy periods. Me included. Most don’t even know it. Pop a tab each day and you’ll feel great soon. I’ve been in the same boat this week but managed to speak to a consultant relative this morning who explained all of this to me! I’m currently iron 7 and ferritin 18 so started ferrous sulphate today

Ok thank you all, I definitely do feel so fatigued and it is really affecting me day to day. I'm wondering whether the 18 she mentioned was serum iron level, in which case that is low too, will ring again and confirm the levels so I can get myself sorted, hopefully. My hair is looking so thin now it is really affecting my self esteem which on top of feeling awful is not helping things.

Midwife recommended Floradix to me when my iron was in my boots after having ds2. I had a load of stomach pain with the iron tablets, I just didn't seem to get on with them at all. Floradix worked a treat. Came from the health food shop. Amazon will do it.

She’s not mentioned haemoglobin and as receptionist said all other tests normal she’s definitely not come back anaemic. Her iron and ferritin tie in well with the standard NHS guides I’ve popped above. She’s low but will get back up. Remember you can email your doctors and request a copy of your bloods so you can keep track and see exactly what they’re saying. Always worth doing.

I'm so confused as I looked up what iron levels should be for females and it says between 12 and 17 (that us for haemoglobin levels), I'm seemingly that was what she meant when she said 18 or maybe it was a different measure she was talking about (from OP’s 2nd post...hence the question about Hb vs Fe)

Ok so I've rang the drs and asked for the haemoglobin result which was 121. So thts on the low end too. I think the 18 must have been another of the iron profile tests (I've asked for the results to all be emailed to me now) so I do need to get it up. When they're both low I don't understand why they don't recommend iron tablets instead of marking it as normal and never hearing from them again, especially when I've been feeling so terrible! Good job I'm proactive and asking for the actual results or I'd be non the wiser.