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 .

If you feel you may have absorption issues - they can do various tests

Has anyone ever checked your stomach ? - gastroscopy ?

You want to know the cause / reason 4 low feretin

Not done qfit test or coeliac screen yet - they will be the first thing I ask the GP about when I speak to them as I’m sure they will want a chat when all the results are back. I picked these results up from the NHS app and, under the information but it says I’ve been informed so I’ll wait for the text to arrive and then try to book an appointment!!

I’m officially menopausal as it’s more than 15 months since my last period and, for the 2 years before that they were increasingly infrequent and generally light.

Can i join the low ferritin party? Mine was tested at the gp recently and it was 14, would this cause symptoms? I muddle through the month with fatigue but then a week before my period all hell breaks loose; dizzy on light exertion, tired like a sedative type tired! Its ruining my life!!! Is this in my head or could this level cause all this?

Low feretin can cause that

Are your periods heavy ?

Def ask 4 a poop test / qfit test
And celiac test

@worldwidetravel2017 Thanks, not heavy but getting a little closer together at 41 years. Ive had coeliac tests a few years back but negative. I feel so dizzy before my period its unreal.

Its likely cuz feretin so low

Push 4 iron iv

Also have u had your blood sugar checked

Thanks yeah think blood sugar was checked but not sure.

I need to join the low ferritin group too!
Had bloods checked last week after feeling absolutely exhausted for ages.
Finally a different doc said she'd have my ferritin checked.
She called me today, my ferritin is 7!
Hb is 132.
I've been prescribed Ferrous Fumarate, have to take one twice a day for a week and then one a day for 3 months.
They will recheck bloods in 4-6 weeks.

I've taken some helpful hints from this thread; no tea before/after taking tablets, take with a high dose vit c.
Is there anything else that will help?

Thank you

Do u like dried apricots?
Eating 5 - 8 a day can help with iron.

Dya snack on iron rich snacks ? Raisins sometimes?

Dya eat broccoli/ kale a few times a week?

Dya eat iron rich cereal ?

No dairy within a couple of hours of iron either

Ugh i feel so dizzy today, supposed to be going on a lovely walk but i’m so tired and look like a dogs arse.

Exactly

Its because your feretin is too low

Feretin below 30 for a female with periods= not good ..

Do push 4 iron iv

Whens your next drs appt ?

Ask for a referal for NHS iron iv

Ambulatory care at nearest hospital should have iron and should be able to offer it very soon- highlight that your feretin is below 15 ..

Eat dried apricots, blue berries , broccoli etc

@worldwidetravel2017 Thanks for your replies, I really appreciate it. It’s on Monday so not too long.

I think i’ll have to stick to the garden today!

Make sure you highlight your iron deficiency symptons and low quality of life

Low feretin can be dangerous

Dont accept a fobb off of tablets

Highlight that your feretin is below 15 and that u have periods

All summer
( MAY to sept )

This yr

I had low feretin and needed my 2nd ever nhs iron iv..

It took 2 consultants involved in my care to finally get there
And another couple of diagnosis

The other day - i walked for miles and miles

I couldn't do that before the iron iv

'Worldwide' Thanks for the advice, I do like dried apricots so will get some for snacking on.
I do eat kale and broccoli too but probably not often enough, so will up that.
I have two weetabixs with banana for breakfast, think I'll add some strawberries for the vit c.

Thanks.
I'm vegan (probably why ferritin is so low, but possibly due to heavy periods, sometimes twice a month) so don't have dairy. do I have to wait the same time for soy/oat milk do you know?
They both have added calcium.

If your periods are heavy - have u been diagnosed with a menstrual condition starting with M
Thats basically very heavy periods ?

Having very heavy periods - being formly diagnosed with that condition can reallly help towards u getting an nhs iron iv

Have u been under the care of gynae
Re your heavy periods ?

Ace

Boots sell a product called spa tone

Its gentle iron water

Theres a couple of versions - the green 1 is iron with vit c

U can also get it on amazon

I'm not sure, but I'd avoid to be on the safe side.
Are your heavy periods getting treated? That's most likely the cause of mine so been trying contraception to treat them (but the one I'm on now is not helping at all - I've been bleeding all but 7 days in the last 4 weeks! )

Just to help out, the clinical name for heavy periods is menorrhagia. If speaking to a Dr about it it’s worth looking up the NHS page about heavy periods as it lists signs you may have it, causes and suggested treatments.

Exactly
Thank you

I have menorrhagia

Had it for years

But only formally got diagnosed this yr

@Woolycardy not surprised you feel so shit with Ferritin of 14 .

Summary of my journey so far
Ferritin always on low side -may post meno and ferritin 28 - just told to buy over counter meds -no discussion about why but pushed for fit test which was neg . Vague discussion about it being due to PPI .
July - Had food poisoning & whilst in hospital lovely dr said I could have infusion to help recovery as ferritin dropped lower .
I'm lucky that I did as now have awful post viral fatigue but spoke to Dr yesterday who says ferritin now a bit high if anything!
Don't really feel normal due to PVF but imagine would feel a lot worse.
Referral to Gastro done to discuss why ferritin got so low. Don't know what current HB is. Was ok a month ago.

Does anyone know- should I still take iron supplements even if I'm at high end ferritin saturation? I mean surely it will start to drop again?