Ferritin level confusion

[Whatthehelth]

Hello - I recently had a whole load of blood tests to investigate fatigue.
I was told by the practice nurse that they’re all ‘normal’. However, I compared my results with a friend (who has a health condition that leaves her fatigued) and her ferritin levels are higher than mine - but she’s been told by her GP that they are too low.

She lives in a different area and looking at the ‘normal range’ we were each given, they differ by quite a lot. In her area my levels would be considered on the floor but in mine they’re normal… what could be the reason for that?

For info my level is 13 ug/L and hers is 50!!

In my area the bottom of normal range is 10, in hers it’s 23.

It’s all very confusing. Should I be concerned or just accept the practice nurse’s assessment that everything is fine?

Thanks in advance for any insight

It is very confusing. This is my result and this is what it says on the NHS app. I haven’t actually been able to speak with my GP yet!

13 is too low. The normal range is too wide, and it's only recently that low ferritin has been understood to make you feel rubbish.

Hi! I have been told by my doctors about a study that states that anything less that 50 will lead to symptoms. I have recurrent low levels and have been advised to take iron tablets daily for the rest of my life. You can purchase over the counter. Hope this helps! This type of fatigue is horrible - I hope you feel better soon :)

Thank you so much for the responses, confirms what I thought.

I’ve bought some iron tablets on the advice of my friend… but I’ve read it can be better to take them once every other day for better absorption rather than the packet dose which is 3 daily. So confusing. I would ask the GP but it’s almost impossible to speak to anyone right now.

I suspect my low levels are because of previous heavy peri menopausal bleeding for months (which has settled down now I’m on a different HRT) and endometriosis.

I’m a bit cross at being dismissed by GP practice to be honest, I feel like I’m crawling through life at the moment!

thanks again, I’ll be taking the tablets to see if things improve.

By the NHS's own definition, ferritin levels of less than 30 is indicative of iron deficiency.

Check out the NHS CKS Iron deficiency anaemia and go back to your GP

What tablets have you got whatthehelth?

I have had low ferritin levels for years. Take a single dose daily with orange juice - not with tea or coffee.

13 is too low to feel good - you should aim for 50 minimum. It will take time but keep getting blood tests to monitor your levels.

I was down to 7 at one point and could barely function.

Ferrous fumerate 210, says to take 3 times a day.

Thanks @dollypartin , I do feel like I’m not functioning at the moment

@TheOtherHotstepper I’m struggling with seeing the GP but will give it another shot. I had to call about the results and then the nurse was really dismissive. It’s reassuring to hear I’m not imagining my ill health!

Thanks all

Once a day is fine and every other day may even be better.

Every tablet contains more iron than you can possibly absorb in a day so taking 3 a day just makes you more likely to have bowel symptoms and give up altogether.

Thank you, that makes sense!