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 .

Thank you @Lilxa89 where are you? i’m in the UK. My 2024 results where ferritin showed 15 (only just looked back on it) had a comment next to it. Guideline change then the report classed as Normal so not sure what that means.
I try and not focus too much on as i do feel i’m getting a bit too anxious over it all but i’ve suffered with tiredness/fatigue all my life but since turning 40 things have been even worse but no real cause and i would hate to think these have been the root cause of things and not actioned.
Im currently in Greece on holiday will go out and try and get something so i can start ASAP and hope things improve.
Hope things improve for you ❤️

Guys

8 dried apricots a day / regularly really helps feretin

Also if u eat regular eggs / broccoli / wheatabix / blue berries etc

Mine was then over 100 with apricot hack - i nearly fainted in shock

That is all good as part of a healthy diet, but it's not going to correct the low iron levels that are being mentioned on this thread.

Hello all just popping on to say that finally I’m having my recheck of ferritin tomorrow .
also I had my Gastro apt following the food poisoning last July - due to my symptoms- low ferritin , heartburn , on lansoprazole for over a year and age - 54 , I’m going to have endoscopy & colonoscopy. I’m quite disappointed- before I had the food poisoning, my GP said she was satisfied I didn’t need an endoscopy!
mom actually really scared of having one done .
can anyone reassure me ? Or give me an idea of what to expect? I know it’s a very uncomfortable procedure … thanks . Hope everyone is ok .

I had to have endoscopy and colonoscopy last November due to my very low ferritin levels. I found the Plevna bowel prep wasn’t too bad but I made sure the water was ice cold, I added strong juice to it and I drank it within 1/2 hour. Then I stayed upstairs near the toilet until there was nothing left to come out - same again the following morning when I had to do the second sachet (my procedure was pre afternoon). Oh, and get some disposable knickers like Tena silhouette if you can, just in case of accidents!!

The other advice I can give is to insist on as much sedation as they can give you - I have previously had an endoscopy abandoned because I couldn’t tolerate the tube with just throat spray. And ask for a top up of sedation between the endoscopy and colonoscopy- or they won’t bother and will fob you off with not being able to top you up (that’s because they don’t want you in their recovery department very long) but they absolutely can - if I have to ever have it done again, I will insist on a top up of sedation as it was wearing off and I was telling them to stop because of pain and could feel the whole thing!!

Sorry about typos that should have said I’ m actually scared ! @LovedFedAndNoonesDead I remember you having to do the awful round trip ! Thanks for tena tip. I’ll have the sedation. The whole idea is making me feel really nervous . I mean I’m glad I’m having it done as it sounds like it should have been done before.
mom also scared of having sedation in a way - I’m someone who likes to be in control at all times! Funnily enough the colonoscopy part doesn’t worry me too much as I took my dad who’s 90 to have the procedure last year and he managed it so I thought I can too , it’s more someone shoving a tube down my throat

The gastroscopy whilst not plesant , is over fast
They do numb stuff etc

They combination of sedation they use for the endoscopy is good in a way because you can still follow instructions but, in a way, you don’t care and also you don’t remember it because they give you midazolam which has an amnesic effect.

I found they simply blamed long term use of naproxen and esomeprazole for the anaemia (they didn’t find any bleeding, no ulcers or other issues apart from some non erosive gastritis) despite the fact I had the anaemia long before I was put on the naproxen - it was just easier than looking for another cause!! They could have given a diagnosis of anaemia of chronic disease which is a known consequence of arthritis so is understandable and would make sense.

I had the iron infusions in November/December last year before the surgery I needed and they’ve kept my blood levels up until this month when I’ve noticed the counts are beginning to trend down. I have the full range of bloods including all the metals, thyroid function, ferritin, Hb1Ac and full blood count panel due in December so I will know more then whether it’s holding or dropping!

@LovedFedAndNoonesDeadi hope you don’t mind me asking, I’ve skimmed through the thread and can see you are having an iron transfusion. How did you go about getting one?
I am considering paying privately.

I’ve always had low ferritin, my last results were 27 and I’ve been taken ferrous fumate 200 for for months and they’ve come up to 44. I said the gp that I don’t feel like this is enough and he said as they are rising I am doing ok. He isn’t the one he feels like he has been run over.

Have you done a Qfit test ?

Also - anyone who has pcos -

My pregnancy consultant told me - its harder 4 those pcos patients to absorb iron

Hi @TurquoiseDreamCatcher, of course I don’t mind you asking. I had the iron infusions almost a year ago; I had mine done on the NHS because I was having surgery and my Hb, ferritin and folate levels were very low and the surgeon wanted my bloods improved before the op. I had had both a QFIT and endoscopy & colonoscopy with no cause found so the only option left was to have the infusions. It was a 2 1/2 hour round trip for less than an hour at the hospital on both occasions - the infusions took 45 minutes the first time and 20 minutes the second time as it was a lower dose.

Thank you for your replying. I did a couple of qfit tests earlier in the year but they didn’t show anything.

I really feel like an infusion will help me so I will look into getting it privately done.

Hi all how’s everyone doing ? My ferritin in still high a year after my iron infusion! So that’s good - but have date for endo and colonoscopy same day 29/12 - so something to look forward to after Christmas!! Am still unsure whether to do sedation and just feeling generally anxious about it but in a way I know it’s good to get it over and done with .

Def recommend sedation

Even with sedation - your still awake / aware - just feel less

My feretin is low.im 26w preg

Hi all can anyone recommend an iron supplement that is gentle on the stomach but strong enough to get rid of a deficiency?

My ferritin was 15 in March, the GP didn’t want to treat it at first and wanted to see if me stopping omeprazole and increasing iron in my diet for a few months would help. Tried to book a repeat blood test in July and had to wait 5 weeks, then 3 more for a follow up Drs appt. In August ferritin had only gone up a tiny bit to 18. I begged the GP for prescription strength supplements because by this point I’d become so unwell I was mostly housebound and struggling with just every day tasks. Dr gave me Ferrograd 325mg tablets but after multiple stop start attempts I just can’t tolerate them. I’ve tried repeatedly since September and the stomach pain, nausea and constipation is awful.

Other symptoms are palpitations, breathlessness, hair loss which is getting worse, and I look so pale and unhealthy. It’s the total exhaustion to the point I’m mostly housebound at the moment that’s making me depressed now I think.

Has anyone tried any different types or strengths of prescription iron supplements that have been more gentle on the stomach? I bought a supplement from the chemist with only 14mg ferrous sulphate in and I can tolerate one of those daily. I haven’t tried anything in between like 100-200mg, maybe I should try lower strengths first that I can buy myself before asking the GP for something else?

@Sorrel212 hey you sound exactly like me with symptoms. I was housebound last year. My ferritin is also same as yours.found out i was low in vit d etc too havw you had folate, b12 and vit d chexked? I felt so ill on certain iron meds wirh my stomach. I suffer with reflux and hiatus hernia so have to be careful. The dr gave me sodium feredetate in the end which is a lot lower dose than the others but the only one I manage to be ok with i usually have it (uts a syrup)with a glass of orange juice and im fine. Not sure if levels have gone up yet but I've felt a tint bit better but I'm still struggling but some said it could take a longggg time. Feel free to message me anytime x

@Sorrel212 I tried Ferrus funerate not from the GP but they told me to get it over counter.
It played absolute havoc with my insides! If it goes low again, I will probably take either gentle iron from
solgar or spa tone sachets which are better absorbed apparently.

Sorry Fumerate

I managed to get hold of Maltofer from an Aussie friend - it is 100mg and I tolerate it just fine. Take it when I am on my period which is very heavy and have been losing hair. It has to be taken with food. I do not know why the NHS still does not do Maltofer. I since discovered it in a European country my brother lives in so he just gets it for me.

B12 was fixed with b12 injections

Feretin still just 37

Going in for endoscopy & colonoscopy on the morning ! Send good vibes !

Sending all the luck.
Let us know how they go

@worldwidetravel2017thank you waiting to go in .