Low Ferritin

[rubyslipperss]

Hi I've read through a few threads on here as I have low ferritin - it's 28 , it came up in my NHS app.I think it's always been a bit on the low side but feeling really fatigued , going to bed after work, can only work part time etc ,not able to socialise unless I've had a rest , day off etc . Palpitations , hair thinning, headaches. Feel generally rubbish . So fed up, I cried when I went into surgery to ask for blood tests.

I've called my GP surgery to discuss but the receptionist said it might not be looked at for a week. I'm worried it will be dismissed . All other bloods fine including thyroid , though they didn't do full screen , and Hb, folate, B12 all ok just the pesky ferritin .

Should I start taking iron supplements anyway ? I've seen some gentle iron on Solgar website.
I've read on here that you should only take iron every other day . Can anyone advise ? Thank you .

Can you afford private?

Following with interest because I recently had a fbc for iron levels and my ferratin was 26 which was classed as normal. Have you been told 28 is low?

Just take them. You can buy ferrous fumerate, take it with a vitamin c tablet every other day

NHS guidelines say:

in all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency

You may have iron defficiency with or without anemia. There can be several reasons for iron deficiency - if it's an absorption problem supplements won't help. You really need to discuss with your GP. Make sure you convey how your symptoms are having a negative impact on your life, don't minimise them!

Mine was 12 and was just told to take iron supplements for 6 weeks and go for a retest, it was still 12 so am on prescribed Ferrous Sulphate tablets .

My symptoms were not half as severe as yours but I guess everyone is different.

I could probably for a one off gp apt, hadn't thought of that .

Do you know what your Hb level was recorded at?

I agree with above, you need to discuss this with your GP. Usually, for abnormal levels or results, the GP will get back to you sooner rather than later. Maybe call and ask for another appointment to discuss. Definitely tell the receptionist how awful you’re feeling.

On nhs app it states it's out of range , the lowest ' normal ' being 30. To be honest it's been in 30s for years and I've always felt tired..

Mine is 10 and has been 10-11 for 18 months now and nobody will help !! I’ve been on huge amounts of supplements for 2 years

Yes HB was normal range 129 , yes think will wait a couple of days to see if they get back to me and ring again

It's so frustrating. I have a post running about similar. Mine is 11 and told within range, yet yours is not within range where you live?

I've ended up posting on Health Unlocked for further advise.

Worth posting all results.

NHS guidelines are 30 but after seeing a trichologist about my hair he told optimal levels are around 70. I took ferrous sulphate with vitamin c for a few months and down to a lower does multivitamin for my hair that maintains the levels (florisene). I’ve seen a few posts about a Facebook page called the Iron Protocol. Maybe worth taking a look there. Hope you get a response from your GP.

Check out the Iron Protocol group on FB. Plenty of useful information on how to raise your ferritin levels.

fwiw my dermatologist told me that for my hair to stop falling out my ferritin needs to be 60-70 min. Mine is usually below 20 and I’ve never known if to be higher than 30.

I currently take 2 iron tablets a day with high dose vit c.

It depends on the dose of course but I imagine one tablet every other day would make no difference whatsoever.

Wow @LuciferRising that's low , I don't understand how that can be seen as normal ! What are your symptoms ? I'm in the south east , where are you ?

Your Hb can be fine even with low ferritin,
google Iron deficiency without anemia you’ll get reams of articles. GP likely to fob you off. Start iron now now point in waiting. Aim for min level of 70. Took me three months to get mine from 6 to 16.

Please take it every other day, there is a very good reason for it read here
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31413088/#:~:text=Abstract,is%20given%20on%20alternate%20days.

on my ‘iron days’ i take no diary or food with tannins (google for list)

I’ve been having 3 monthly blood tests to track my ferritin since 2020 and 24 was when I was at my highest and felt amazing. Mine was 6, it’s currently 10. But I think it is different for everyone and that’s why I asked for a blood test when I felt well so I knew what good would be for me in terms of ferritin levels. Ferrous fumerate makes me sick and nauseous so I take ferrous glycogen (something like that)

Exhaustion. Aches. Joint pain. I could sleep now. Dizziness. Midlands.

@rubyslipperss that's interesting, maybe I could do with some iron as I feel pretty rubbish.

My ferritin dropped to 30. Was told it was normal by GP. I suffered with palpitations very frequently. Started over the counter ferrous fumerate and within a few months all but gone.

28 isn’t classed as low if you’re having periods still in my Trust.

A few posters have beaten me to it but I just wanted to say that your Hb isn’t optimal and your ferritin is low so your Hb could lower further without treatment.
If the GP doesn’t prescribe then you should think about supplements. Ferrous sulphate is overly harsh IMO and ferrous fumarate is a better option. Take with orange juice to aid absorption. But definitely talk to GP for sure. They will probably prescribe and they will also arrange some follow up tests to check progress every 3-4 weeks. You won’t get this important information on your progress if you just go it alone and self medicate.

Hi

FYI - I'm no medical expert

Young woemn and older ladies suffer from this. Young ladies with heavier cycles, the vicious circle of low iron gets worse and worse without treatment - our daughter is a long term sufferer

As the ferritin igets low, its a vicious cycle and gets lower and lower.
You will need at least supplements
Once the levels are built up, take more care of yourself and try to eat the right kinds of foods

The above is usually often the cause in younger ladies and for older people, its often abosorbtion

Good luck

Btw - once gp has medicated you - insist on another blood test to ensure you are on the correct path

Thanks all for replies, meant to also say I'm post menopausal 50 something on HRT. I've been doing some reading and I'm on Lansoprazole for oesophagitis which looks like it can stop absorption of iron too...