Low feretin * below 30 - ask 4 a Qfit test

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I hear of So many females- a few of my friends included
With low feretin

Drs seem so quick to prescribe iron tablets - often just saying ' periods -

And many times not looking 4 the cause..

As someone that was luckily given a Qfit test last year - ( my mums dad died of bowel cancer in his early 50s ) - my feretin was 8 - no blood was visible to me but 2x qfit tests showed positive results - positive as in bleeding..

Urgent colonoscopy ( many thanks to the NHS) - many bowel polyps removed - told what they found isnt common / normal 4 my age ( im under 38) ....

6 months later - another colonoscopy - more polyps

Currently awaiting the next soon colonoscopy

And im on colon checking / colonoscopies very often for the rest of my life...

One of my friends last year - very tired - told her to get feretin checked- she did - feretin under 30 - given iron tablets - no offer of qfit test...

3 of my female friends are on iron tablets

Do ask 4 a Qfit test

You can also buy them online

I - like many others - feel the colonoscopy screening age should be lowered
And - qfit test s / poop tests offered more often when females have very low feretin

If this post encourages / helps / alerts one person - im happy....

Also _ those with ibs - dont just think ah its ibs , air on the side of caution - do a quick qfit test

Many thanks for reading

Incase anyone fancies a read re polyps etc - one article - off t ' internet from someone that hit the reminder 4 some

https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/new-study-reveals-nearly-40-percent-of-young-adults-with-polyps-on-colonoscopy-have-high-risk-polyps/#:~:text=%2FCleveland%20Clinic).-,Dr.,or%20high%2Dgrade%20dysplasia).

Thanks for posting. After your post on the other thread I looked up what I had actually been tested for. (I don't live in the UK). I had a test to check for blood in stool that came back negative. (An automatic screening test for everyone at 50 here). Is that the same thing?

Im not too sure tbh

It might be.

I wouldn't really want to comment on overseas tests as i don't know def if its the same etc.

My GP won't prescribe me iron currently. I had a blood test a few weeks ago - my ferritin is 15 :/ She just suggested eating more iron rich food. It's always low and at its worst has been 7. No one looked into it as I'm not 'anemic'. Crazy!
Thanks for this thread. I might book another appointment.

I have low ferritin and have iron infusions on a regular basis. I've got a generic disorder that took 13 years to diagnose (and not thanks to the NHS).

Definitely ask about the cause

Ask for a Qfit test

Mention that you know there can / could be a coralation in low feretin and bleeding from bowels polyps

Do you regularly eat peas - blue berries - kale etc ?

Interesting
Thanks for your post

I had one iron iv last year
When it was 8

My medical records state my body is not good at absorbing iron*

( * - not good @ absorbing iron tablets )

I was a very very very prem baby

Interested to hear how u got your diagnosis if your happy to share

I felt amazing when my feretin was 252
After iron iv

.. unfortunately - it didn't stay that level

And even tho i felt way better with it @ 252 - no offer of an iron iv currently

I bleed after polyp removal / biopsy in colonoscopy - and feretin will be looked @ again after next colonoscopy

Well I'm a dual national (Mex/UK) and as we have universal free healthcare, went to the main hospital in Mexico City and got seen by a hematologist the same week and got referred to genetic testing which was done a week later. It didn't cost me a penny as it's my constitutional right.

Nice :)

Gosh @Coffeecaketoday with Ferratin that low you really need to take iron. Mine is the same as I took ferrous fumerate tablets twice a day. You get them over the counter. Take with a vitamin c tablet at the same time. You must be feeling exhausted. It took 2 months of twice a day before I felt the difference and then I was like a new woman.

My ferritin is 5 and I feel pretty dreadful but my GP has been excellent, I've had every test under the sun including QFit. Still don't know what's wrong though.

One thing I'd say re iron supplements, over the counter won't be anything like strong enough, I'm on 210mg x 3 times daily. Can only get that strength from the GP as far as I can see. The GP said I will most likely need an iron infusion, can't wait tbh if that's the case. Finding out the cause is really very important though for us all.

That's interesting and something I hadn't considered so thank you. I might ask about this at my next appointment.

My last ferritin rose to 7 after being at 3 - it took 6 months of ferrous fumerate for that to happen. Because my actual iron levels were just above the minimum and I have heavy periods I was told I was fine and "we don't really worry about ferritin if your iron levels are ok". No chance of infusion as I wasn't low enough despite crushing exhaustion, breathlessness, and the fact I look like Caspar. Basically I'm female so it's expected. I actually cried on the phone with frustration. I've had this for so many years it's just normal to me but I'd love to feel how I'm supposed to feel.

I was refused buying any more supplements over the counter by the pharmacist as they shouldn't be taken long term. The dr did a blood test at my request but amazingly didn't bother with ferritin. My iron again was just over the lowest it should be so no prescription.

If I could afford to go private I would. My OH had a burst blood vessel in his stomach a couple of years ago and was given a full transfusion and later a follow up infusion. His levels were higher than mine. Not that I begrudge him but I eat so healthily compared to him plus I take the tablets and still I can't bring mine up.

That's just awful 😞 xx

I think you can just buy iron tablets over the counter no questions asked. Try a different pharmacy?

My Dr same. Look into optifer from amazon, really helps me. Its different form of iron than prescription, it's heme like we get from meat.

You can totally do this but if levels aren't rising much when on them it's pretty annoying. If there's a reason for your body not holding onto the iron you're putting into your body it should be investigated. The trouble is that with 9/10 people it isn't and people are left feeling shitty and taking medicine long term that causes side effects that aren't that pleasant. Like taking painkillers for pain that isn't resolving itself.

Yes but the dosing is useless

Iron iv sounds a good option 4 you.

And yes - always look 4 the cause

I had 2 x gastroscopies but nothing in my stomach

Def ask 4 poop test / Qfit test

U may have bowel polyps

Dya eat blue berries daily ? And peas ? And dried apricots ?

What does eating blueberries and peas have to do with it? Should we not be eating these daily?

My ferritin was 5. I've had really low blood results since I gave birth 15 years ago but nobody really batted an eyelid. They gave me a qfit and gave me a colonoscopy. No findings. No follow up. Went back about three months later and said again^^ that I was shattered and ferritin was 3. GP asked me how I was still functioning 🥴

I've had a couple of iron infusions but they generally only work for about 6 months until I'm back down to where I was and it's back to the beginning.

I don't really know where else to look (or suggest to look) for the cause.

This thread has made me think because at my last blood test in 2022, my ferritin was 2.35. The GP just said to take an iron supplement but now I’m thinking they should have done more because that’s very low.

Extra good 4 iron in take

Def ask for feretin to be tested now and then aak for a poop test / Qfit test

You may have some benign bowel polyps that may of caused bleeding - always best that they take them out - which they always do when found

Sometimes theyll check the stomach to check theres no ulcer or such

Do you feel well ?

Do u eat iron rich foods daily ?

Ask 4 feretin test - vit d test and b12 test if you feel rough..
I was low in all 3 @ same time and felt horrendous