Low ferritin queries

[MamOfTwo]

I have been taking iron tablets as had low haemoglobin. Probably all but finished them a few weeks back. GP has phoned this morning and said recent blood test showed that whilst haemoglobin now in normal range, my ferritin level is low - think she said 9. Bit unclear what a normal range for ferritin is for women? And difference between haemoglobin and ferritin to be honest! The result on my NHS app just says 'ferritin: low'. She suggested another course of iron tablets - I will do that although hate the side effects. Anything else I can do to get the level up? Red meat and leafy greens?

There’s some info on ferritin levels these threads. It depends on your labs reference range tbh, not all labs are the same. You would need a print out of your blood test results from the surgery as this will also print out the labs ref range. Are they investigating why your iron is low? Have they done a coeliac blood test for example? That can affect absorption.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/general_health/4508650-Hair-loss-and-low-ferritin?reply=116940734

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4533835-To-think-ferritin-level-of-25-is-low

Thank you. Just checked and range on results was 10-200. So 9 only just outside of normal although other threads seem to be mentioning the need for infusions at this level so still bit confused! Think they are attributing it to heavier periods, she also did a FIT test. Picked up new batch of iron tablets today, fingers crossed they do the trick.