Ferritin levels at 5

[PontypandyPioneer]

Hi, a blood test about a month ago showed my ferritin levels are at 5. I've been on ferrous fumerate since finding out but am not feeling much better. How long should it be before I start to feel a bit more normal?

I've been on and off ferrous fumerate for about 5 years for either low haemoglobin or low ferritin but it's never been that low before so I don't really know what levels it has to be before I start feeling better. The GP has put me on a lower dose than I've been on before so it'll take even longer. I'm being impatient I guess, I just want to start feeling more like me!

You must feel absolutely rubbish with ferritin at 5! If you're on Facebook join the Iron protocol group and read up.

GP's are generally rubbish at understanding levels and how badly it can affect you, so you need to learn and advocate for yourself.

It takes 3 months for levels to increase significantly, but the longer you've been low, the longer it takes for you to feel better.

As its so low could you ask gp to refer you for an IV ferratin infusion? You must feel so drained.

Mine was 4 and looking back I don't know how I did it!

Iron didn't help me because the cause was adenomyosis and heavy bleeding daily.

So dependent on what the cause of the low ferritin is you should start to feel better about a month after taking the tablets - or you won't because the underlying cause means your ferritin won't raise.

Do you have heavy periods? That needs fixing and then the tablets will top up successfully.

I made sure I asked for more investigations this time since it's been going on for so many years. But it's so much worse this time.

They've done a full blood count and everything is normal other than iron-related results. My haemoglobin level was 117 which is the lower end of normal but that's ignored because it's in the normal range. Coeliac test was negative and they've done a stool test which is normal. Periods aren't heavy and they're regular so it's not that.

I think the GP is just putting it down to one of those things 🤷🏻‍♀️ which is so annoying. I've never felt as drained as I do at the moment. They've had me on 660mg daily of ferrous fumerate in the past but have told me to only take 220mg daily this time. I feel like it's doing nothing and it's been a month.

An infusion hasn't even been mentioned but I'd take one tomorrow if I could! I think the GP just wants to wait 3 months and do more bloods to see what my levels are.