ferritin levels

[laralou28]

Anyone know anything about ferritin levels? I've had blood tests for fatigue hair loss etc but according to the doctors they are fine: doing a bit of research my ferritin is low end of normal. It's 23 and range is between 10-291. My iron levels are normal though and hemaglobin. Should I try and take some supplements?

I read (on here!) that Ferratin levels under 50 will lead to hair loss. Mine got that low once and I felt like death.

I’d take supplements. You can buy ferrous fumerate over the counter anywhere, and it’s cheap as chips.

My ferritin levels were (possibly are) 6 a couple of months ago, which explains a lot - mostly fatigue but the hair loss makes sense. It’s so hard to tell what physical symptoms belong to what issue as I’m menopausal, have no thyroid function so take thyroxine & have two kids, a job and elderly family who I try and support in a practical way - which I think would be exhausting regardless of my medical issues!!

I’ve been prescribed ferritin supplements which I need to take consistently for a couple of months before I get re-tested. If your GP isn’t willing to (& it may well be cheaper to buy over the counter anyway) maybe try it & see if it makes a difference, as long as you are staying within the recommended dosage I’d assume it could t do any harm (not medical though so don’t take that as gospel!). If only I could remember to take them I’m sure they’d be helping me..

That ferritin level is not all right. The cut off for non-anaemia iron deficiency is 22 and you are only just above it.

You need to be above 80 and as close to midrange as you can get, with proper supplements of ferrous fumarate or ferrous glycinate.

Don't expect any help from your GP. All he will look at is whether you are within the reference range. You need not just to be 'normal', you need to be optimal.

Good luck.

@NaToth

That ferritin level is not all right. The cut off for non-anaemia iron deficiency is 22 and you are only just above it.

You need to be above 80 and as close to midrange as you can get, with proper supplements of ferrous fumarate or ferrous glycinate.

Don't expect any help from your GP. All he will look at is whether you are within the reference range. You need not just to be 'normal', you need to be optimal.

Good luck.

Thankyou. Probably the most helpful advice I've ever received. No wonder I feel crap then. Will get some iron supplements

@ThatOtherPoster

I read (on here!) that Ferratin levels under 50 will lead to hair loss. Mine got that low once and I felt like death.

I’d take supplements. You can buy ferrous fumerate over the counter anywhere, and it’s cheap as chips.

Thankyou I'll definitely start taking some supplements

Mine was 2 this time last year and loads of my hair fell out and my mouth and tongue were bleeding

Iron affects your stomach so I found it better once I got it back up a bit I started taking one every other day

Why is it low? I had to have a hysterectomy because of blood loss, this was the only cure because every month I just depleted what I built up

I take ferrous sulphate for shit ferritin levels. Mine was 6 recently and I was so tired I wanted to cry but couldn’t summon the energy. It’s a dreadful feeling. Couple of weeks on the iron 3 times a day and I’m a new woman.

The “acceptable range” is absolute crap, for iron and b12. It’s such an easy fix too, infuriating they fob people off who are obviously struggling.

I see others have suggested different supplements so I don’t know if fumerate is better then sulphate.

I stockpiled from a good online chemist and they’re really cheap. Read the NHS info on how to take iron supplements as some foods stop you absorbing it and there’s info on how to deal with some of the possible side effects. It can give you gastric symptoms so have a proper read up. Take vitamin c at the same time too to aid absorption.

Hope you feel better soon. In a few weeks you’ll probably realise you’d felt crap for much longer than you realised.

@AnneLovesGilbert

I take ferrous sulphate for shit ferritin levels. Mine was 6 recently and I was so tired I wanted to cry but couldn’t summon the energy. It’s a dreadful feeling. Couple of weeks on the iron 3 times a day and I’m a new woman.

The “acceptable range” is absolute crap, for iron and b12. It’s such an easy fix too, infuriating they fob people off who are obviously struggling.

I see others have suggested different supplements so I don’t know if fumerate is better then sulphate.

I stockpiled from a good online chemist and they’re really cheap. Read the NHS info on how to take iron supplements as some foods stop you absorbing it and there’s info on how to deal with some of the possible side effects. It can give you gastric symptoms so have a proper read up. Take vitamin c at the same time too to aid absorption.

Hope you feel better soon. In a few weeks you’ll probably realise you’d felt crap for much longer than you realised.

Thanks for your reply. It's so frustrating doctors don't give advice like this. I noticed a year ago I had bloods and it was 48 now it's gone now but concerned why. I don't think my diet is that bad and I don't have heavy periods. I am looking forward to feeling better I have had fatigue for years but never been sure why

My ferritin was low , could not get it to go back to reasonable result. I later got anaemic, Hb dropped. Later diagnosed with Coeliac disease. Results are good now.

@Frankley

My ferritin was low , could not get it to go back to reasonable result. I later got anaemic, Hb dropped. Later diagnosed with Coeliac disease. Results are good now.

My son has coeliac disease too. Maybe I have it 😓

I’ve found ferrous Fumarate much gentler on my stomach .

Thanks Diana. I’ve been lucky to have no side effects other than a bit of nausea after my first one of the day and it passes quickly. I googled fumerate vs sulphate to see if there’s much of a difference but couldn’t find much. I read the NHS info pages on both of them and they’re nearly identical.

Bloods 4 weeks after I started 3 a day showed increase from 4 to 40 something so a long way to go but I’ve struggled with ferritin for decades and I’m being religious about how to take it and what to avoid - never thought I’d postpone my morning coffee for anything! - and it’s making a difference. I feel a whole lot better.

I’m b12 deficient as well, can’t absorb it at all apart from through injections and was told my levels were “within range” for years and years till I see a locum GP who was appalled at how low they were. Injections every 10 weeks do the job so I knew something was up when I was on my knees exhausted and this time the ferritin was very low.

I had the exact same symptoms as you 3-4 years ago and my GP said blood results were low normal. He prescribed iron tablets but the chemist said it was cheaper to buy otc than prescription. Very cheap.

@KnottedFern

I had the exact same symptoms as you 3-4 years ago and my GP said blood results were low normal. He prescribed iron tablets but the chemist said it was cheaper to buy otc than prescription. Very cheap.

Thankyou I will have to get some iron in me then

If you son has Coeliac disease surely you should be tested? After l was diagnosed my son asked his GP for the blood test. GP talked him out of it! Later on, he asked another GP who reluctantly agreed and the test was positive. My son had felt something was not quite right with him and after going on Gluten Free diet has always felt much better. My other child was tested and does not have it, my sister does though.
I do think you should ask for the test laralou28 it may well be part of your problem.

@Frankley

If you son has Coeliac disease surely you should be tested? After l was diagnosed my son asked his GP for the blood test. GP talked him out of it! Later on, he asked another GP who reluctantly agreed and the test was positive. My son had felt something was not quite right with him and after going on Gluten Free diet has always felt much better. My other child was tested and does not have it, my sister does though. I do think you should ask for the test laralou28 it may well be part of your problem.

Hello Thanks for your message. I've had the blood test probably about 10 times and always negative 🤷‍♀️

@laralou28 hello! How are u now ? C