Help interpret iron bloods results

[QueenLagertha]

I've just had a call from GP practice that my iron is a bit low. I asked what they were and the secretary said Haemoglobin is 12.5 so normal but iron is 4.8 so a bit on the low side.
What would the iron be that she is referring to?

it could either be ferritin (measure of iron stores - common test) or an iron test (less common but i have these not ferritin, says how much iron in your blood), do you have or can you request access to the NHS app, or equivalent in your country, to see the results yourself?

Thanks @RedSnail it was ferritin. I just didn't think it was as consultant wrote on letter that iron was a tad low. Understatement of the century!! No nhs app here unfortunately

How are you feeling with levels that low? Last year my ferritin dropped to under 3, I felt so awful that I needed an iron infusion, that upped my ferritin to 50 but it’s now fallen to under 15 and I’m starting to feel crappy again.

I feel terrible. So mad at consultant trying to fob me off with iron supplements. I have IBD. I contacted his secretary and asked to be considered for an iron infusion. Sick of having to advocate for myself and fight for everything.

Have you gotten to the bottom of the cause of yours?

@HowdoIgetbacktothe80s

QueenLagertha I am sorry you are being fobbed off, I totally understand. I have had years of gynae and digestive issues and keep getting fobbed off too. They said my low ferritin was due to my gynae issues. I had an ablation a year ago and haven’t had periods since but I can’t seem to hold on to my iron stores so I’m going to have to go back to the gp and find out why they have dropped so much. It’s draining having to keep pushing isn’t it?

I'm similar with my results, ferritin is usually on the floor but as I still have heavy periods they won't investigate further. I was refused an infusion as my HG level was just in the normal range but ferritin was 3. It's ridiculous and I'd go private if I could afford it.

I'm not even allowed to buy my iron tablets until I've had another blood test as I've been on them too long now, I switched to feraglobin which feels like it does zero.

It's tough feeling so shit and I have every sympathy for you

Iron transfusions are not a walk in the park - why not try supplements first?

@similarminimer I already said in OP I have IBD. If only it was as simple!

@similarminimer and it's an iron infusion not a iron transfusion. Huge difference

My ferritin was 6 and I felt awful. Did get it back up eventually with tablets. Not easy with IBD. I only have IBS diagnosed

Have you had an iron infusion before OP?

Because @similarminimer is correct despite the terminology used.

I'm due back for another iron infusion on Monday after having one two weeks ago. They'll do bloods again first and then give me more if I'm low still. I imagine I will be as my ferritin was 0.7 and hb 7.4 iirc.

I've had iron infusions before and they work so well. My gp called the hospital and I was sent there. I felt absolutely awful. I was out of breath taking a few steps, dizzy to the point of fainting, every time I stood up dizzy, walking dizzy, terrible fatigue and then I had chest pains which radiated to my back and arm.

I'm already on heart medications for previous heart failure and multi organ failure so I made an appt to be seen and was given an ecg, bloods and check over. All the symptoms have been from the iron as they've all gone. Still slight chest pains but I'm going to mention that on Monday when I'm there again.

I genuinely felt awful and could do barely anything. I need investigations next to find out the cause as this isn't the first infusion I've needed. Had a blood transfusion when I was in icu with the multi organ failure too but it just won't stay up.

@Shewhois21 yes I've had two. I didn't ask for advice re the safety of iron infusions

@CheeseandGherkins sorry you're having such a hard time. Hope you get to the bottom of it

Thank you. I forgot to say my serum iron was 2.6, that may be the iron number you're asking about.

You're very rude OP, you need to work on your manners. HTH.

@Shewhois21 I do apologise if I've offended you. Low iron tends to make one veryyyyy irritable

Iron supplements still work in IBD so not sure your point there? Iron infusions arent without its risk (anaphylaxis is widely known, issues with the infusion lines can cause Iron tattooing that is permanent (Google image it it can be awful), it often drops people's phosphate levels v low by binding to it so then need that topping up too

I'd definitely try as much oral Iron as you can tolerate before having an infusion (that's what I do personally as a chronically anaemic dr).

Oral Iron often makes you have diarrhoea or constipation and there's 3 brands so try a few of them. Don't take them 3x a day as the packets often say as its not necessary and increases side effects, 1 a day, ideally with fresh orange as vit c increases the absorption of Iron. Eat as much in your diet as possible

I buy spatone from amazon as no side effects, its basically super Iron rich water from Welsh mountains

But yeah we aren't always 'fobbing you off' by not jumping straight to infusions which come with a ton of risks that tablets dont

Sorry to jump in, but I've had blood results that I can't work out and you seem knowledgeable! I have normal hb, and normal ferritin, but low transferrin saturation - does anyone know why that might be and what it means?

I should add, I have made a gp appointment to discuss but it's not for a few weeks and I'm just interested if there's anything I can be doing or if it's anything to worry about

It's a bit hard to explain without 'talking', all the different iron studies are taken in conjunction, but iron itself is an 'acute phase protein' so goes up with infection and inflammation in the body, so can artificially look raised or normal, despite still being iron deficient (common in chronic diseases)

Transferrin is the molecule that carries iron, and the saturation of it is how many of its "hands" carrying the iron are empty vs occupied. So normally indicates iron deficiency if low, as there's less iron floating around in the body for it to pick up

Sorry that's a really crap explanation but anaemia shouldn't be looked at in isolation, there's many deficiencies that cause it and we work those out by what the red cells look like under a microscope, iron deficient cells are small, b12 and folate deficient cells are big, but if you've got both they can look normal size, so important to look at the numbers

@Destiny123 i didn't explain my full history in the op. Also I can't tolerate the supplements at all. There is also research that shows oral iron
can affect the gut microbiome and exacerbate intestinal inflammation in IBD. Only really advised in remission for mild iron deficiency.
With iron stores at 4.8 I doubt spatone will do much for me.