Ferritin levels and bloods results

[Starrr123]

So since i had a baby and covid. My body has been achey. Hair falling out , SOOOOO tired and very dizzy!
the drs have done my bloods and my ferritin was 13 in 2021 and now its 20 but i still feel soo shit!
The dr put it as satisfactory, but im not sure if its normal ?
i rang up and they said well its in the ok range. Any experiences please comment :)

My levels are currently at 22 and I'm still on iron tablets and have been for 3 months. Have you been given iron tablets? The symptoms you explain are exactly how I feel majority of the time.

Yes it’s in the normal range. Did they do vitamin D?
are you taking a multi vitamin and mineral supplement?

No i wasnt given anything . I lost alot of blood when i had a baby 18 months ago. I hemmoraged.
i do think its low because they say it should be around 50 shouldnt it? X

@Miracle29 do u get very dizzy?

@BungleandGeorge no they didnt , ive been feeling like this for 18 months! I think i should just take a low iron supplement x

It’s within normal range but for hair loss sometimes you’d aim for a higher ferritin between 50-100. Taking an iron supplement definitely won’t do you any harm and might help a bit more!

@Balloonsandroses yes i will definitely start! My hair falls out and i get sooo dizzy and just tired all the time :( i hope it helps xx

The dizziness, hair falling out and Tiredness was the main reason for me getting tested after having a 4 month long period. I don't actually know what my numbers were when I first was given the iron tablets but my last bloods were at 22 and I was told they are going up and he wasn't concerned with number unless it goes below 10. They didn't explain why I've got to continue with the tablets though. I do still get dizzy, my hair is absilutly terrible at falling out especially when brushing or washing it. If your concerned ask for another blood test because iron levels can still drop. Do you not have repeat bloods? I have mine every 8 weeks until they're happy then they'll take me off the tablets.

@Miracle29 they said May warrant iron tablets. Thats all no more about it. A few months before 13. I dont know what to do xx

Go and buy the highest dose iron supplements you can find. Take it with vitamin C. Don't drink tea or coffee within 2 hours of your meals or your iron supplements. Research iron rich foods and improve your diet as much as you can. These actions can really help within a matter of weeks.

@endofthelinefinally thankyou :)!
what are your levels? Xx

The NHS's own Clinical Knowledge Summary Fish and sea anaemia gives 30 as the cut-off for deficiency.

If your level is less than 30, you are therefore deficient.

I suggest you google for this document, print the appropriate bits and wave them at your GP. Otherwise you could be years trying to get up to an acceptable level.

I was with a friend yesterday who has been trying to raise her iron levels for five years. Sometimes GPs need to be reminded of their responsibilities.

I am well past menopause so my Hb and ferritin are fine now. When I was perimenopausal my ferritin was 3. I actually thought I was dying. When I was pregnant and post natal I was very anaemic but allergic to the iron supplements available at the time. I managed to raise my Hb from 8 to 10 (old units, 1980s) in about 6 weeks using diet and vitamin C. You have to work at it and keep going.
Tea and coffee stops you absorbing iron, taking vitamin C with it increases your absorption X4.

I don’t understand why someone would struggle on for years when iron supplements are freely available, including the ones that are prescribed??
OP I’d try an iron supplement and a multi supplement and ask for another blood test in a few weeks.

I saw my doc yesterday and she said normal level is 30 or above and mine is 22 so I needed iron tablets - as a pp said, my doctor said that the ferrous fumerate they prescribe is available over the counter so maybe a pharmacist can advise you?

Low iron can make you feel terrible - hope you feel better soon.

But OP isn’t anaemic so this is a different clinical picture. A one off low ferritin in someone who is not anaemic doesn’t mean much, if iron stores had been low OP would be anaemic. Having low ferritin on its own isn’t a problem it’s an indicator that it may develop into an anaemia if the cause isn’t addressed. Or it might just be a temporary reduction. Anaemia is the problem not low ferritin

If OP's Hb is at a healthy level, but ferritin is blow, then she has non iron deficiency anaemia.

I've been there and I know how awful it can be.

@TheOtherHotstepper mine has been around 13,16 and 20 since i had my baby.
My HB is 135 it was 120.
my hair falls outs Nd the dizzyness and the fatigue is awful xx

@ShadowKitty what was your HB ?
i dont know whether i should take anything for it ? But i feel soo drained and rubbish all the time! Xx

Assume they checked your thyroid?

Potentially worth a coeliac screen too.

@BungleandGeorge i will try some tablets and then ask for more bloods.
i never used to feel so rubbish.

I think your ferritin is the low range. You should discuss this with your GP.

@Thedoglovesmemore my thyroid level is 1.34 so they said all ok.
also i get legs aching , so im thinking it could be down to this. Xx

@Lavenderflower i will bring it up to him when i speak to him. But its like a 2 weeks wait. Xx