Have you had an iron infusion?

[Sosorryliver]

Went to Gp today as have had abdominal pain/ been feeling rubbish for a while. Bloods came back already and my ferritin is 2, iron 7.7 and something else which is also through the floor. WBC/ liver/ kidney/ inflammation are fine though.

Gp thinks possibly an infusion to give me a bit of a boost whilst figuring out why it’s so low. Has anyone had one and was it helpful? I’ve been feeling under the weather for a few months but I’m plodding on going to work etc so it’s not awful. Maybe it’s a bit like boiling a frog and it’s gradual enough you don’t realise how bad it is.

Odd one because a lady I work with has been having them for years - only to find out this week she has a stomach ulcer and that has probably caused the low iron, low ferritin. Not sure how you can check - know there is a private test if doc won't. Only £10

https://www.boots.com/myhealthchecked-stomach-ulcer-%28h-pylori%29-rapid-test-10330208?cmmmc=bmm-buk-google-ppccPLAsAsHeroCompareare--PMax:+UKKSmartShoppinggHealthcareOther&gaddsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADrIajWmuIMwq6xSIL1ugumvDlgsK&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwO20BhCJARIsAAnTIVQAVo1Rwja8Lv01ijPhHOP9MfDEJKcIHKdez76wz2-T2xqqhTFrMnUaAsgBEALwwcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Mine was recently 4 (11-307 is NHS standard for adult females) and asked for and infusion and was denied - just iron tablets.

It had been very low for some time (based on the length of time I'd had various odd symptoms - I actually had none of the usual 'low iron' symptoms at all - no tiredness/fatigue/breathlessness or chest pain.
I was suffering with a burning tongue, disappearing taste buds and frequent blood blisters appearing in my mouth when eating seeds/bran flakes/'spiky' foods - essentially a very sensitive mouth.
Diagnosed with Iron Defficiency Anemia.
Blood tests showed all results to do with Red Blood Cells were abnormal -
Haemoglobin Concentration 108 (115-160 is NHS standard for adult females).
I asked why I couldn't get an infusion and the GP told me that patients can only get referred for an infusion if the Haem concentration was down to 80! - regardless of the Iron/ferritin level itself.
I'm in the North East.

It’s crazy the Nhs don’t seem to investigate thoroughly just peg it down “woman’s problems” I’m having a gastroscopy / colonoscopy next week so hopefully will check everything.

I would qualify where you are with 77. It’s irritating everywhere has different rules, Under 80 is severe anemia so says Google. Under 65 can kill you. I’m feeling so much worse since starting the iron tablets, stomach pains, dizziness, diarrhoea. I’ve gone from pottering along feeling shitty to I can’t stand up straight, feeling vomity despite the anti sickness meds and in pain despite the codiene. I’m contemplating calling 111 to ask for advice but I think they’d send me off to A and E which would involve being vertical and I don’t think I can face it.

True!
I laughed and asked if a person has to be practically dying before they get XYZ help... it's as though the threshold has been raised, so less referrals are made.
The cost of an iron infusion to the NHS versus me paying for my own prescription of iron tablets...
The (male) GP was rather blasé, stating [my] low levels were "nothing to worry about" and that low levels were typical of the many menstruating women he sees in a regular basis.

So that makes it OK for us women to just get on with it?

I hope you manage to get what you need quickly.

DM had done when her ferritin was < 50 whatever the units are. She was post chemo and had long Covid, and was 80.

I didn't qualify for one when my ferritin level was below detection limit (test repeated twice) even though I felt dreadful and would fall asleep every time I stopped moving (watching swimming lessons, at work, on the bus...). The GP said that I could be that bad, because I was managing to look after 2 small children and hold down a job. Despite 3 blood tests from samples on 3 days all saying otherwise. It took 15 months of iron supplements to get my ferritin above 50.

Good luck @OP. I hope you get your infusion, and I hope you feel better soon.

I ended up going to out patients in the small hours. Apparently I’m down to 69 so they have admitted and are scanning today. They think it’s gallbladder due to the pain but also something else due to anemia/ weight loss.

I hate it when gps tell you it can’t be that bad. I’m sure I read a study that women are much more likely to have ambulatory pneumonia as they can’t rest/ get better. As they working/ holding down jobs.

Apparently we get used to working with reduced capacity. Which essentially m and you get used to a much poorer quality of life.

I've had two iron infusions 2 weeks apart in my last pregnancy.
I had been taking quite a high dose of iron tablets for around four months but my iron was still low so was offered the infusions.
Took about 3 weeks to kick in but then I felt great, especially after giving birth, compared to my previous pregnancies.
It was 5 years ago so don't remember what the numbers were.

@Sosorryliver when you're feeling better, have a read or listen to "Invisible Women" by Caroline Cerio-Perez (sp?) to get really angry about casual and unconscious sexism.

They are going to give me a unit of blood so hopefully that will perk me up

Yes I've been for two when I was 37 weeks pregnant and was absolutely fine.

Well I’ve had my unit of blood as my levels were considered unsafe. Now getting an iron infusion to give me a chance to rebuild stores. Feeling grateful for the NHS as the quote came back as £500 for one or £700 for two infusions privately. One to get you up and a second smaller one to get you to optimal levels. Hopefully this does the trick although it might take a few weeks.