Low Ferretin help!!!

[Feelingtiredallthetime]

I’ve always suffered with fatigue/tiredness and general exhaustion, my recent bloods showed my Ferretin is 6, so I’ve been prescribed ferrous sulphate iron of 200mg twice a day. This then causes me to get ‘bunged up’ and even after taking it religiously for 3 months they only went up to 17. Then as soon as it stops they just make their way back down again 😫😫

im so fed up of constantly being exhausted, trying to work, walk the dog, sort the kids out. Has anyone been in a similar position and 1. Found the root cause of their low Ferretin and 2. Been given any alternative treatment options to boost their levels up without taking the iron tablets?

help!!!

Hi Feelingtired, no wonder you are with a Ferritin of 2. I am a midwife and we see this often in pregnancy. Ferritin is your stored iron and Hb (haemoglobin) is your circulating iron. We always arrange a prescription of Ferrous Fumerate rather than sulphate as it works better on Ferritin levels, it is also better tolerated generally. Ferrous sulphate is generally better on Hb levels. If women’s levels do not remove enough and they and are struggling with tiredness and other symptoms we arrange a Ferrinject via obstetric doctors, I wonder if your GP could arrange this, it’s an IV infusion of iron which really boosts your Ferritin level. Hope that helps.

Have you ruled out coelacanth disease?

*coeliac - not sure what happened with auto-correct!

I had the same, ferritin level of 4. I was anxious and exhausted!! Prescribed 200mg ferrous fumerate 3 times a day. Couldn’t tolerate it, but can tolerate 200mg x 2 in the morning before eating anything. My levels have risen, (at 33 last check up) and am feeling much better. Doctor spoke to me about heavy periods (likely the cause) and suggested the hormone coil or mini pill but I am not able to take that due to previous blood clot. I think I would have been anti hormonal birth control anyway, just my personal choice. I did find if I was bunged up I’d miss a day of iron and things would resolve. It is hard though.

Thanks @Postboxwatcher sorry I’m not pregnant, my youngest child is 10. My levels are 6 but I’m just so fed up of feeling exhausted. Drs advice is just take iron twice a day, but as soon as I stop it plummets!

am I destined for a life of iron tablets 😫

@Conkersandlattes 33 is still on the low end though isn’t it? I literally am struggling to function 😭

@Postboxwatcher do you know if you can have iron infusion if you’re not pregnant and is there a minimum level your Ferretin needs to be to be eligible? I read previously it’s a postcode lottery.

Low ferritin was what led to me being tested for coeliac disease, which I was found to have. Ferrous fumerate worked on my ferritin but gave me horrible diarrhoea (sorry if tmi). Sulphate was far kinder to me but less effective. You have to be at death's door to get infusions in my experience. It's a really frustrating battle to find the best treatment.

Thank you @DrCoconut im off to Google the symptoms of coeliac disease! My dr is very good but it just seems the default answer is here are some tablets to take for the rest of your life 3 times a day, oh and by the way you won’t be able to 💩 good luck! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

I have low Ferritin.

My GP told me medical research shows it’s better to take 1 200mg tablet of ferrous sulphate every other day. Don’t take one or more every day.

You would absorb it better and be less bunged up.

Also, don’t take it at the same time as dairy products or eggs, but with a source of vitamin C.

Edit: Or at the same time as tea. I forgot that, because I don’t drink it.

I've really low iron all the time unless I take a supplement, I am also coeliac ! This was my main symptom

Yes- exhaustion, anxiety and very low ferritin.

Mine was 11 a few months ago. I hate taking iron supplements so I made sure I upped my iron intake and ate vitamin c rich food with the iron rich food yo aid absorption. In a few months it went up to 48 which is high for me and within post-meno levels (on the low side but it always has been).