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 .

Makes sense
I had those too
Im not celiac
I had a positive qfit and 3 colonoscopies ( benign polyps)

Had my iron iv this am :)

I've just come on this area to ask about my ferritin results and found this thread!

So my ferritin is now 17 ug/l, a year ago it was 21ug/l.

Is ug/l the same as mg/l?

The Nice guidelines say to treat under 30mg/l, but my blood test range is "normal" despite being really symptomatic.

My MVC was 81 (range 83-101)
MCV concentration was 306 (Range 315-345)
Red cell count 5.05 (range 3.8-4.8)

Hey. Are you uk based ?
Do you have regular heavy periods ?
Do you eat iron rich foods?
Have you ever done a qfit test ?
Have they ruled celiac out ?

Your feretin is low.

Yes I'm in the UK.

I do have heavy periods, always have done.

My diet is varied, though could probably be better at times!

No qfit test - but I've had a lot of antibody tests done too and all came back normal for celiac/rheumatoid/lupus.

GP says my level is fine because it's within range - that's why I asked about if any difference in the ug/l and mg/l so I can go and mention the Nice guidelines and ask for some treatment!

Gp's often dont realise the effects of low feretin , heavy periods etc

It might help if you discuss your heavy periods
Theres a condition that starts with M - thats heavy periods.
For some people thats why their feretin is low ..

You want to ask them to look at why your feretin is low

• finding the cause

Rather than them potentially treating the symptons

Your entitled to ask gp for a poop test / q fit test

I had benign colon polyps that were bleeding

Colon polyps can be a cause for low feretin.

The NHS bands for - normal - feretin are wide.
Whereas - if you were seeking fertility help or treatment - a fertility consultant would likely tell you theyd like to see your feretin number at ideally 100 .

You do need to push for help

Having good feretin - ie a number over 50 - ideally over 100 - improves quality of life

Nhs iron iv costs approx 700 gbp - one of the reasons its not given easily

Some peoples bodies dont absorb iron from iron supplements - maybe worth seeking if your body does or not

Just joining after seeing the link on another post.

Blood tests found my level is 10. I’ve been put on ferrous sulphate supplements twice a day for three months. I had been feeling exhausted but also hadn’t been sleeping well so just put it down to that. They’re putting it down to peri, and heavy bleeding.

Mine’s back down to 14 and on the iron tablets again. Due to ulcerative colitis I think and not absorbing iron properly. Not feeling quite as dreadful as last time tho so maybe this is my new normal!

Following. My 19yo dd has a ferritin level of 6. She had a blood test after having palpitations and tiredness. GP said she has a heart murmur and sent her for an ECG to rule things out, but he doesn't seem to be that fussed about the ferritin levels and just said 'you're probably not anaemic'

Make your gp put her on iron tablets at least! I had a heart trace as low iron was giving me palpitations. That’s a shocking response but seems to happen. It did to me!

I had been having palpitations too.

If heavy bleeding = regular heavy periods - theres a condition called M something thats heavy periods
Ifu get gynae to diagnose u with that - easier to push 4 iron iv

As your level would always go bk low after period
So best for iron iv to take your level up 4 4 -/5 months time

Does she have heavy periods ?
If so ask 4 referal to gynae

Nooo

Push 4 more help

Its under 30 so they should consider u 4 iron iv

People - including medics - who havent lived with the effects and symptons of low feretin - dont understand how much it effects quality of life .

I had to push 4 iron iv with consultant support

Gp didnt wana push 4 me to have another iron iv

Also - private clinics often offer iron at 100 gbp per 100 mg

Thanks. My GP has put me on HRT to try to regulate my periods as I’ve sometimes only having a week between them (but other times having 40+ days between), and I’ve also been prescribed tranexamic acid to reduce flow and stop flooding.

I still don’t feel like the supplements have helped a month in though, so I’ll look into it.

I’ve got repeat blood tests in 4 weeks to see if it’s improved and I will be asking about an infusion if it’s still low as it’s dragging on now!

Have gynae looked into the fluctuations ?

I’ve been referred for an ultrasound to rule out anything like fibroids, but a month later and there’s no sign of an appointment date yet.

I have a fibroid
They dont want to remove it tho
As we have miscarriage history
And i have pcos and we are under fertility clinic.

You could ask nhs gp 4 a
Crp blood test

( looks at inflammation in the body - so if u had colon polyps that were bleeding - inflammation may be up )

Welcome new folks on the ferritin thread !
I have a follow up in October and I'm wondering how many questions I can shove into one appointment with all the stuff I've learnt on here .
My main question is what has caused my ferritin to drop , fit test negative, but I'm wondering if I just don't absorb iron ..

Have they ruled out celiac ?
They can def do crp to check for inflammation .

I started the contraceptive patch and it made my periods so much lighter, was amazing. Unfortunately I started getting migraines though so the gynaecologist has switched me to the minipill and I'm worried I'll end up being unlucky and bleeding more than I used to :(

@worldwidetravel2017 thanks I'll definitely be asking them to check for coeliac thanks . I had awful gastro infection in the middle of all this and my bowel markers are still up but CRP has settled .