Iron tablets - how many mg?

[Zimunya]

DD's ferritin level is 36, which her doctor says is not outwith NHS "normal" levels. But she has all the symptoms of anaemia:
tiredness and lack of energy
shortness of breath
noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)
paler than usual skin
headaches

She already takes 14 mg iron tablets per day, and was taking that when she had the blood test which showed the ferritin levels of 36. I want to increase her iron tablets, but how much is too much? Can anyone let me know where I can find this info?

Sorry to hijack but found this thread interesting as I had been totally wiped out and bloods showed ferritin level of 21; they said this was fine!

Well it wouldn't be for me but I had iron deficient anaemia

It absolute isn't fine, think women's ferritin should be around 100. It's my life's mission to get people to challenge their blood results when they're just scraping along on the floor.

@Showrr I best get back to them! I struggle so much with exhaustion. I had a blood transfusion after my c section three years ago; never felt right since but put it down to general mum fatigue.

Definitely push for them to investigate further. Not right that you feel so awful xx

@sunnypeachy same here! Mine were 17 last June; cut off for “normal” is 15 in this NHS trust so they said I was fine.
I’ve been supplementing but only at 14mg every other day. Clearly I’m undercooking it!

Yes, I have had diagnosed anaemia several times, I am now just over the bottom base of NICE guidelines and trying to figure out why I still feel so tired but am now hearing nice guidelines are the bare minimum.

Ah yes, the guideline levels are utterly ridiculous

@Butthistimesticktoit were you diagnosed with iron deficient anaemia though? Apparently you can be anaemic but not necessarily be low in iron. How is your ferritin? I'm completely exhausted atm so not thinking straight so might be talking utter rubbish

You need to do some proper research. I looked into it recently assuming a higher level was better but it appears that a high level one day reduces your ability to absorb iron for the next few days.

Also the type, the time you take it, what you take it with, etc.

I have been taking spatone for over a year after a low blood test. I haven't been retested but I feel much better. Spatone doesn't have high levels but is easier to absorb than most other supplements.

I was only browsing really so don't have a concrete takeaway other than to feel that ill stick with my current regime.

Bizarrely iron is absorbed more efficiently of it is taken every other day rather than everyday. It’s not often prescribed this way but works so much better to raise levels

Too much iron can be dangerous, I would
seek advice from a pharmacist.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7193469/

One of the articles I bookmarked recommended every other day supplementation.

I take 2x 21g ferrous fumerate per day. I'd also recommend taking with a high strength vit c to help absorb as stops any stomach aches etc

I've read this a lot but too scared to go to every other day in case it's not correct! I don't suffer side effects thank goodness so can tolerate a high dosage

Yes take with vit c and away from caffeine

This thread has made me email my doctor. I had blood tests back in November and apparently all was fine, however when I looked at my results my ferritin level was 11 which judging by this thread is very low!
I have been taking ferroglobin with no effect…do I need to go back to the doctor?

A ferrous fumerate dose of 210mg is not the same as a daily iron requirement of 14.8mg for menstruating women and girls. The iron component in supplements will be supplied by different iron compounds so be really careful if increasing the dose and check the NHS pages on ferrous fumerate if you decide to take iron in that way.

I'm in a really useful FB group called The Iron Protocol (for Iron Deficiency with or without Anaemia). There are loads of Guides in there and it gives guidance on how to calculate the amount of Iron you should be taking depending on your weight - have screenshot below. That is elemental Iron - so 210mg ferrous fumarate might contain around 65mg actual iron which is what you need to base your calculations on

You need to take it on a completely empty stomach alongside a 1000mg Vit C dose and not more than 150-200mg at once

Hurrah, another case where my crap memory works for me. Thanks for sharing!

I had an iron infusion in hospital and it made me feel nauseous. I now take 210mg ferrous sulphate on prescription but you can buy it over the counter.

Then I guess ask for a follow up blood test in a few months. Though I have seen blood tests in Tesco for sale!

Originally my level was 14 and they said it was “within range”.

Be careful on that site, it's full of anti vaxxers . The odd bit of useful information can be deduced if you are careful.

I felt fine from the infusion and subsequent transfusion, still take the supplements.

People have to find out why they're so low in ferritin.

Oh yes I ignore all that stuff. The Iron research seems sound tho

Yes, one thing I took from it that reassured me that lots of people were suffering 'normal' conditions such as coeliac, colitis etc horrible though those are, I was convinced it was cancer to start with and that showed me most people's severe anaemia isn't cancer, that site did reassure me of that thankfully