Low iron symptoms and treatment

[Fouramclub]

I had a blood test done at the end of Feb and only just got the results last week. It turns out my iron is low (ferritin 12) and I've been given iron tablets 210mg to take three times a day.

Prior to the blood test I was feeling drained of energy and constantly getting colds. I also feel dizzy and spaced out/brain fog and my eyesight feels fuzzy. The GP was quite keen on getting my off the phone when I tried to discuss my symptoms so I didn't get to discuss much with him other than the result and the prescription (the call was literally 4 mins).

I understand from looking on google that lethargy, low immune system, light headedness etc are typical low iron symptoms. How long did it take before taking the iron tablets did you see an improvement in your symptoms?

I have been taking the tablets since weds but feel the same.

I started a new job late last year and am still in my probation period (6 months) and feel like this is really impacting my performance so I want to get myself back on track as soon as possible. Would it be worth looking into getting an iron iv done privately?

The number that's of most relevance is your haemoglobin as that's what actually makes you feel awful and what we use to determine transfusions etc but I can't seem to see you mention it... if that's low and you're that symptomatic then you'll need a blood transfusion more than anything (and as above the underlying cause found

Eosinophil are an immune cell and nothing to do with anaemia

Mch is the amount of haemoglobin within a cell. Never use it for anything really

The useful values are mcv and hb. I always check b12/folate too as also components of red cells and often also low

@colourblindrainbow speak to the pharmacist about alternative options. I moved from ferrous fumerate to something with gly in the word (can’t remember what) and it’s essentially iron delivered with something different but still iron. Previously I kept stopping taking them due to side effects but ferritin was 6 so I really needed them. The different tablets gave me very minimal side effects.

@Fouramclub I hope the diet helps you! I really don’t enjoy red meat very much but should probably eat more of it. Can be a bit rubbish with my greens too so am trying harder with those. I do eat other iron rich foods though. I hope you are feeling a bit better this evening.

@TeenLifeMum That’s interesting, thank you! I have persisted and the side effects do seem to have started lessening slightly so I will persist a little while longer with what I have but if I’m still having troubles in a week or two I will definitely ask.

@Destiny123 my Haemoglobin estimation is 115 (range 115 - 155) and my mcv is 89 (77-100), I can't see any results for b12/folate so they must not have been done this time round or maybe not uploaded

Yeah it's borderline low but still very reasonable (most women are around that level) unlikely to make you that acutely symptomatic (we don't transfuse until less than 70 in an otherwise we'll person, or 80 if have heart disease). Often don't check b12/folate unless raised mcv. Go back to the gp re the other symptoms if it persists

I had an iron iv last year as my feretin was beyond low

My body doesn't absorb iron tablets
Or floradix liquid..

Yet it does absorb vit d tablets. And folic acid tablets !!
Make it make sense !!

I make sure i eat iron rich cereal ,
Snack on dried apricots.
Brown bread - brown pasta etc = better 4 my body / bowel / liver.
Lotsa kale - peas - broccoli etc

Chick peas are good 4 iron - had some in my dinner out last night

3 times a day is a historic treatment - but will likely take at least 20 years to die out if not longer.

One prescription strength iron tablet alternate days is actually better as you limit the side effects, which cause lots of people to give up, and amazingly you absorb more iron alternate days than with a bigger dose everyday.

However either way it takes time to build up your stores, and you also need to address why you were iron deficient in the first place otherwise it's like trying to fill a bath when you haven't put the plug in.

Sorry to be asking my own questions but could I ask @AnnaMagnani, I am on 210mg once daily. Would you recommend doubling every other day instead?

I've been doing alternate days after reading about it and no side effects at all
I take it with a fizzy vitamin c tablet

The dose is 1 tablet either every day or every other day.

Effectively one tablet contains more iron than your body can possibly absorb in a day. So any more than that is pointless.