Ferritin

[Melsy88]

Been feeling rubbish for a while. Had some blood tests and just wondered if anyone can help interpret them?
Ferritin: 14
Red Blood count:4.66
Haemoglobin estimation:129
Haematocrit: 0.39
MCV: 84.1
MCH: 27.7

From what I've read, Ferritin is a bit low but I'm not anemic. Is that right?

My ferritin dropped to about 12 and I felt dreadful. My hair fell out and my skin was awful and I was so tired. Try some spa tone if you don't want iron tablets.

It's far too low! We should aim for 70+ especially if you have any other health conditions, you'll feel a lot better. No idea why the NHS says that you aren't anaemic at this level.
I take prescribed ferrous fumerate (less constipating than f sulphate) plus iron bisphynol to keep mine at a decent level. Plus a good diet inc vitamin C which helps absorb the iron.

Thanks. Did that work for you? I heard that it's quite low dose

they say you're not anaemic at that level because ferritin isn't the marker of anaemia, it's a marker of iron deficiency.

That's the bit I don't quite understand. Is low ferritin on its own a problem?

@Greybeardy Thanks, that's interesting. Is there a name for it (other than low ferritin)?

Yes, it is.

You can be iron deficient and not anaemic, or both.

I’ve recently been down this rabbit hole. I was anaemic according to NICE/WHO guidelines, but not my GPs who had set their own guidelines lower…

And my ferritin was super low- 5.

I felt absolutely horrific.

low ferritin is a marker of low iron stores and that can make you feel pretty knackered and probably is worth trying to get higher - the NR for ferritin goes quite low and HCPs are increasingly aware that some people are symptomatic within the normal range (but equally some of us aren't that symptomatic well outside the NR). However, as ever, blood results need to be interpreted carefully using old test results if available, the context of your medical history and current symptoms etc and usually the best person to help with that is the person who ordered the test.

It's really low OP, I feel dreadful that low

I had an iron infusion at 9.9 after multiple attempts with tablets to get it up (copper coil causing me to bleed out every month for ten days for ten years will do that to you) & I felt horrific prior to it. I flat out refused more tablets & given my dizziness & mal-co-ordination meant I nearly cut my finger off at work, the GP pushed it through for me.

14 is low, the range starts at 15 if its not changed, but as others have said, it should be up in the 70's to feel healthy. OTC stuff won't really touch the sides when you're that low (floradix etc) so you do need some tablets to get it up.

Thanks. How did you feel after the infusion?

My GP won't prescribe tablets as he says I'm not anemic and my ferritin is in normal range (starts at 10 apparently 🤷🏻). So I think choices are OTC tablets or pay for a private infusion

Your GP is totally gaslighting you.
I went to a private clinic for an infusion & my ferritin was in the 30’s and not rising on twice daily iron supplements for a long time.
Honestly if you have the means going privately is the answer.

Take ferritin, sandoz 200mg ferrous sulphate is otc 1x a day unless Dr states otherwise, consider vit d if yours is low, check folate and b12.

There's relationship with iron reserves ie your ferritin levels and above list. All above need to be good results to absorb iron well in general and better your reserves

Ferritin is the protein block that stores your iron if I recall correctly, both equally important. Infusion takes about 2/3 weeks to work properly so don't think it hasn't worked if you don't feel better immediately

Hello, I'm similar to you I have been feeling TERRIBLE. Extreme breathlessness, exhausted, itchy skin, aching body, keep getting ill and migraines, always cold and keep getting freezing fingers and toes. I had bloods done and doc wanted to repeat them as said looked borderline iron deficient. They just called back and said Im borderline and need some iron.

This is what the results were -

Haemoglobin 121
Ferritin 11
B12 192
Folate 3.6
Iron 20.6

Ive to take three months of iron and go back for another test after that.

oh, dear. whay are GPs soooo bad at this??
yes, your ferritin is very low. Yes, lab reference ranges are ridiculous (our lab has a low cut off of 10 also) Yes it can make you feel rubbish, even without anaemia. yes it needs treating. Ideally you want to be aiming for levels above 70, pref nearer 100.
You can buy ferrous sulphate 200mg tablets without prescription fairly gp. I have just been (reluctantly) prescribed these by my GP. My ferritin was 9. I am not anaemic. But I feel shocking.(see my recent thread on this and loads of resonses with similar sotries. )

@AyrnotAir I've also been feeling terrible, main symptoms are breathless/air hunger when doing nothing and feeling lightheaded. Ferritin level similar to yours. I've been taking ferrous fumerate 2 x day for 7 weeks but haven't noticed a a big difference yet, although I am less lightheaded. The air hunger bothers me the most. Have you started feeling better yet? This is getting me down

@cutefluffyunicorn sorry you're also struggling with this. Can I ask how long you've been taking your iron for?

My ferritin is always on the low side. Highest it's been in recent years is 48 and that was post-meno. It's gone down to the 20s now. Am not anaemic though. I think it's just 'me'. It has been as low as 11.
Don't have any symptoms from it.

Just over 2 weeks now., so not long Still feeling horrendous. Off for more blood tests tomorrow, still trying to figure out what is causing the low ferritin.

The air hunger isn't as bad I don't think but my fatigue and head spinning on standing has been worse, though I've just finished my period so doubt any I'd my levels will have actually increased yet. I'm only on 1 250mg ferritin tablet a day. Sorry you're feeling as rubbish. I might call my gp today and ask if there's anything else that can be done as I can't be like this till they check again in three months.