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Should I be this tired all the time??

11 replies

Lololow · 27/06/2023 13:09

Just had some bloods done for a different issue, and have come back as borderline. It's nothing new, I've had low iron on/off over 10 years now, can never seem to get on top of it, iron tablets raise it then a few months/years down the line it goes down again (i normally find out when i try to give blood and levels are too low, haven't managed to be able to give blood for over 2 years now) i do have heavy periods which i think is what they attribute it to although in the last year or so i would say i don't feel they are quite as heavy as they used to be but that may just be because I'm so used to heavy being my normal.
Anyway sorry for the background just giving a general idea of things. My issue is i am always tired lately, to the point my DP always moans about how often i say i cant do this, that or the other because I'm tired but its true. I wake up tired, i feel like im nodding off at work alot of the time and im tired by 10pm. Can i attribute this tiredness to my iron levels because if not I'm not sure i can go through the rest of my life always feeling so tired 😂
Will add the results that i think all relate to iron levels

Haemoglobin concentration: 111g/l [115-165] Below low reference limit
Haematocrit: 0.339L/L [0.37-0.47]Below low reference limit
Mean cell volume: 75.7fl [80-100] Below low reference limit
Mean cell haemoglobin level 24.8pg [27-34] Below low reference limit
Red blood cell distribution width 17.4% [10%-15%] Above high reference limit
Serum iron level 5.0umol/L [5.83-34] Below low reference limit
Serum transferrin level 2.72g/L [2.0-3.6]
Transferrin saturation index 8% [15-50] Below low reference limit

And i have been taking a daily iron tablet since January (i may have missed the odd day) do these results justify me being tired 24/7?

OP posts:
Hotbaked · 27/06/2023 13:42

Have you had your TSH levels checked? I was constantly tired, almost falling asleep at my desk despite having a good 10/11hrs sleep on a night, as well as having low folic acid turns out I had an under active thyroid. Definitely ask to get it checked if they didn't with your previous blood tests!

crazylady121 · 27/06/2023 13:46

B12 may help,I have fibromyalgia and suffer with fatigue,have found it helps.

instantpotnoodle · 27/06/2023 14:09

Get your thyroid levels checked, and make sure the blood test is done first thing (before 10am)

Lololow · 27/06/2023 14:16

TSH levels were normal, i had the test done about 11am.

Sorry missed another result

Serum ferritin level 14ug/L [13-150] which i know is on the lower end but still in the normal range. So i have low iron without the low iron? Lol.

OP posts:
Rosecat22 · 27/06/2023 16:42

Do you snore/ is it possible you could be suffering from sleep apnea? This can cause horribly disturbed sleep without you being consciously aware of it, and the "waking up and not feeling rested/ nodding off during the day" symptoms are two flags for this.

CapitanSandy · 27/06/2023 21:09

Your ferritin (iron stores) are low. It’s no wonder you feel so tired. Mine were exactly the same at the beginning of the year and I was exhausted and anxious all the time.
It took a couple of months of daily iron tablets to feel better.

What dosage are your iron tablets? Taking with them with vitamin C helps absorption. Avoid caffeine and dairy products before and after taking your iron helps too.

Hope you feel better soon!

Notlostjustexploring · 27/06/2023 21:24

Ferritin levels of that would definitely, definitely, definitely make you that tired. It is also important to note that "normal" ferritin levels seems to be vastly lower than that required for optimum health. I feel like death when mine is about ~15. As in genuinely thought I must be dying levels of tired.

Maybe stronger iron tablets?

lupinlass · 27/06/2023 21:56

Ferritin should be above 30.

If your ferritin is this low, you won't be able to utilise B12. Similarly, if your folate is low, you won't be able to utilise B12.

Are you on Facebook?

If so, join vitamin B12 wake up. Post your results and you will get amazing advice.

What is your vitamin D level?

lupinlass · 27/06/2023 21:57

You should have an iron infusion with a ferritin level that low. Iron tablets won't work (well they might but it would take aaaaages!!)

Lololow · 28/06/2023 14:12

Thank you, I feel like my thread sounds like I'm fishing for people to tell me I'm ill but I just needed some reassurance that it can be normal to feel knackered with those blood results!
The iron tablets I've got say they are 100% of daily recommended allowance but I don't take them with vit C and I'm definitely not as careful with not having dairy/tea after taking them as I should be so ill bear that in mind.
Vitamin D level wasn't tested. I have an appt to discuss the results in a couple of weeks but in the meantime will check out the Facebook group. Thanks 🙂

OP posts:
lupinlass · 28/06/2023 23:02

Don't rely on the Gp knowing about vitamin deficiencies and the correct t treat for them. Apparently they have 4 hrs training on vitamins during med school....

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