Ferritin levels

[CakeRage]

I went to the doctors after feeling gradually more run down over the past year (fatigue, palpitations, hair loss, nails breaking, etc). I suspected I may be anaemic as I have been in the past, most likely due to heavy periods. I’ve been screened for coeliac a few times but it’s always been negative.

They ran some blood tests, and while my haemoglobin is comfortably in the normal range, my ferritin level is 10. I’ve been told the normal range is 10-290, and as mine is within range, it doesn’t need to be treated. My serum calcium is below the normal range and so the doctor has said my symptoms are probably due to this, but am I mad to think that as my ferritin is literally at the lowest possible end of acceptable that this could be having an effect too? I’m sure I’ve been treated at levels around 10-12 before. Anyone been in this position and can advise?

Yes it will absolutely be affecting how you feel. Problem is, they very often rely on figures, rather than how you feel.

THIS boosted my levels far better than the prescribed ferrous fumerate and didn’t cause any awful tummy/bowel side effects or issues. Iirc ferritin needs to be above 50 for most women to feel well, above 70 for healthy hair growth and Nice guidelines say to treat if under 30.

Did they also check B12/folate or Vitamin D?

Ahh, thanks for the tip. I’ll have a look at those.

My vit D was 34, and the notes said ‘satisfactory’ although I noticed in the reference range it was insufficient if not actually deficient so will be upping my supplements. They’re also rechecking my vit D this week as part of the calcium follow up so I’ll see if I get any further advice there.

They haven’t checked folate or anything else even though I’ve had a folate deficiency in the past and specifically asked. I’ll raise it again when the second lot of results come through.

10 ferritin is very low. Not sure why you’ve been told that’s normal because the NHS cutoff is 15 - and even 15 is low, it ideally needs to be 70-100. The NHS cutoff for normal Vit D is 50, so again not sure why you’ve been told 34 is ok. I was given supplements and my levels were higher than yours.

The reference ranges are on the results I have on my NHS app and they do fit with what I’ve been told.

I wonder if it varies by trust? That would make sense, as the hospital I’m a long-term outpatient at is in a different trust to my GP, and it’s the hospital who have treated me in the past.

It does vary by trust. 10 is very low BTW. I get infusions when mine is below 50

I remember being treated for Vit D when it was below 50 - I’d buy a decent supplement for that. Ferritin at 10 is also low - I’d self treat with iron for that as well. Sounds like you could do with a calcium supplement as well. Any of these, but definitely all combined, will make you feel off.

How are your heavy periods being treated?
Do you know the cause, always heavy or become more so?

My recent ferritin is 36 and I've been feeling terrible (fatigue, hair loss). I think it's coming from heavy periods and recently diagnosed adenomyosis.

I've started myself on 200mg of ferrous sulphate and have a drs appt in two weeks.

I read ferritin should be above 50 or 70 really!!!

They aren’t. They’ve become gradually heavier and longer and my cycles shorter over a few years, which has been put down to perimenopause (I’m early 40s). That said, I had my hormone levels checked at was told I’m not perimenopausal enough to be treated yet. So deal with it, was essentially the advice.

It’s definitely looking like I just need to treat myself in the absence of my GP doing anything about it. Annoying as I have a prepayment prescription cert so prescribed meds wouldn’t be any extra, but I’d rather pay up and feel better in the scheme of things.

I was told the same but the periods worsened until I was very ill.

Turned out the bleeding was caused by fibroids.
Ended up being admitted to hospital for emergency blood transfusions.

Honestly, I would urge you to arrange a private scan if you can to check for cause of periods becoming heavier.

Unfortunately, GPS are really not great with womens health.

My ferritin was 90, then it was 36, then it was 24. A very nice nurse practitioner told me she couldn’t prescribe me iron because I was in the normal range but if she could she would say take ferrous sulphate. It was all very cloak and dagger.

my symptoms were: palpitations, hair falling out, breathy/air hungry feeling, and just a completely totally wiped out feeling- not sleepy tired, but just like every drop of juice has been squeezed from me. I’m 2 weeks into supplements now and I already feel better. I’m going to increase my dose a little gradually as I don’t want digestive issues, it can be very harsh in your stomach. It hasn’t improved my palpitations yet but I definitely feel less tired.

interesting you’ve been tested for coeliac disease. I’ve been tested for pretty much every disease/condition with this set of symptoms- but not coeliac.

My ferritin levels are 5, I have a doctors appointment in a couple of weeks to discuss.
I take a multi vitamin with iron but may swap to the iron shared.
I am managing to get through life but feel beyond exhausted and every minute is a struggle!

Thanks - I have some degree of health insurance because of my job so will see if this will stretch to a scan or referral.

It’s difficult to know what is actually something to be concerned about when we’re constantly told ‘oh it’s just your periods’.

It was actually my hospital consultant (unrelated specialty) who tested for coeliac. He said it’s the first place his mind goes when he sees a patient with a multiple deficiencies despite a normal diet.

I would ask if you can be screened if possible. The first step is just a blood test. They seemed to think it was a likely cause for me, even though it turned out not to be that.

Look at the NICE guidelines and print them to share with your GP. Ferritin of 30 or below should be actively treated according to those guidelines. I had iron infusions when mine was higher than yours because I was so unwell with symptoms. My consultant has said that they want to keep mine above 50 minimum but aiming for 100 (I've lost a lot of hair and apparently for optimum hair growth you need to be above 100 consistently for months).

Holy moly, 5! I feel like all the juice has been sucked out of me on double that so not surprised you’re struggling.

I hope you manage to find a reason and fix it!

13 is the cut off when I look at my GP results. I also have a Ferittin of 10 and Vit D of 34.

My GP is saying to carry on supplementing to get to over 70 as a minimum.

The combination of this and the low vitamin d has floored me.

Theres a few of us with iron deficiency anaemia on this thread if you fancy joining us 😁

This is from NICE guidelines on diagnosing iron deficiency

My GP rang me up and gave me an emergency prescription of iron tablets when my blood test came back at 10.

Iron tablets every other day and black pudding!

And have you had an ultrasound to check for fibroids?

I've had lots of cardiac issues and palpitations. Ferritin was 30, GP said not to treat. I bought Ferrous Fumerate over the counter and three months on palpitations are ten times better.

I haven’t, and the GP didn’t seem concerned in the slightest about the issue, but I’ve checked my health cover and this is something I may be able to pursue privately.

I’ll definitely be supplementing regardless. I have a history of palpitations and tachycardia, but when my heart is investigated it’s always fine. It’s probably this, isn’t it? They never do follow up blood tests to check my levels are actually going up, so they’re probably chronically low.

Thanks, I’ll pop over!