Iron deficiency question - blood results

[mimblewimble]

Does anyone know whether these blood results suggest that I'm iron deficient / anemic? In particular I have no idea about the MCHC being low on its own.

Have tested properly anemic (with low hemoglobin) twice in the past but GP is saying these levels are fine.

Ferritin 13 (normal range 10-291)
Haemoglobin 129 (120-150)
MCH 28.7 (27-32)
MCHC 312 (315-345)

I know NICE guidance says ferritin should be over 30. Everything else came back fine including vitamin D, B12, folate, thyroid.

As per my post last week, I'm getting symptoms that could be attributed to anemia - weakness, palpitations, tight chest, tinnitus, tingling in hands and feet, anxiety. (Also some seemingly unrelated things - reflux, pressure in ear.)

Would be nice if they were anemia as I really want to get to the bottom of why I feel like shit!

It’s the low ferritin. I had all of those and hair loss. Low ferritin with normal Hb is apparently possible. Supplementing with FerroDyn off Amazon, read up on how to take it correctly. The GP WILL fob you off. Good luck x

I believe just for hair loss it should be round 70. My level was 6, i have got it up to 16 in 3 months.

Hiya,
I don't think you are anemic. My test result doesn't show my Ferritin level. Is there a section, a letter I'm missing to look for the Ferritin level?
I was feeling tired, my heartbeat was really fast, feeling cold and hot, lack concentration. I went to see my GP and took a blood test, found out my RBC ( Haemoglobin at 65). I was diagnosed with anemic. Doctor told me to get a blood transfusion or some injection. Instead I took ferrous fumarate (Iron supplements). After a month it went up to 73. Early this month, took another blood test and print out from the GP reception, my Haemoglobin is now 138. Yours is 129, is fine. Women is 120 to 160 normal.
My MCH - 27.3, MCHC - 329
Like you, I have tinnitus, but it comes and go. Had to go to ENT to check my ears, he says it is fine. Want to go further with a scan, but I think it is Peri menopause. It can come before a period, sometimes when I'm tired and lack sleep. I have heavy periods, and that was the cause of my anaemia. I don't know your age or if you have any other symptoms, have you book an appointment to see your GP? I have to wait another month to see my GP. Going to see her next month for face to face chat and some other problems.

Yeah I've seen the GP, seen ENT about my ear (found nothing), been referred for an ear scan, been referred to gastro about reflux, had an ECG ... The only thing that's off in test results so far is the low ferritin (and MCHC), but it's within the 'normal' range for my area and I've been told no action needed, although I can take iron tablets if I want to.

It's possible that perimenopause is causing some of these things. I'm early 40s. GP has said they're happy to prescribe HRT. But I don't want to muck about with my hormones if there's something else causing this.

Your ferritin needs to be above 70 to be optimal.

How do you raise your ferritin? I have been on websites like menopausematters and patient info. Sometimes they can help, forums and input from people. .

Your ferritin is low but it’s probably still ‘normal’ , the range of normal where I live is 11-350! If it’s within normal ranges the lab will stamp your result as normal and a dr may never even look at it. In my experience you need to contact the surgery and get someone to look at the results and all your symptoms as one. My ferritin was 24 and I had all the symptoms you list, after 3 months on iron tablets I feel 100x better. I just took ferrous sulphate otc from a pharmacy as recommended by the practice nurse.

Thank you it's reassuring to know that I'm not alone in this. I've been taking ferrous sulphate for about 10 days now, will keep it up and fingers crossed.

Last summer my ferritin was down to 6 or 7 and my haemoglobin was low too, I took the tablets for a good few months, haemoglobin was coming up nicely ferritin was slow - never got it above 30. I stopped taking them in Jan as was dealing with some gastro issues and levels have dropped again.

I've been referred for investigations to check for any underlying issues, but GP thinks it's probably veggie diet + recent heavier periods. (I tend to agree - I'd also recently upped my exercise a lot, so extra demands.)

I am so frustrated, I'm off work and feel like a massive wuss, heart pounding and ears ringing...

Hi, How are you feeling this week? Have you been eating well?
Take care