How low is GP level low? (Iron)

[mynamechangemyrules]

Just went to give blood and the result of the finger prick iron test was 108 somethings 🤣. I know they weren't really concerned about it at the blood donor place but then they said I couldn't give for 12 months! Seems harsh! Anyway, is it 'make a GP appt' low or 'wait and see' low..?!

Or third option, self diagnose via the internet and mumsnet and take some supplements..?! 🤪🤣 (it's v hard to get to the dr from work!)

I dont know what 108 means but my ferritin level was 6 or 8 (can’t remember) and they did nothing other than tell me to buy iron tablets. I was really struggling.

https://www.blood.co.uk/the-donation-process/further-information/haemoglobin-and-iron/

This maybe helpful.

entirely depends on whether it's your haemoglobin, serum iron (in which case, what units) or ferritin. They should have explained the result properly when they did the test.

Thank you! V useful.

@Greybeardy from the link sent to me above I think the 108 was the Hb g per l as it says this;
To ensure your safety we need your Hb to be at least 125g/l for women and 135g/l for men prior to donation.

it sounds like you need to get a proper blood test done. If your Hb is 108 then that means you're anaemic, but finger prick tests aren't always 100% accurate so it needs confirming with a venous sample. If you are anaemic, it may or may not be an iron deficiency anaemia (hence the questions... you do really need to know what it is they're testing), and there are other tests that will give more clues about the cause.

Thank you! Going to book a non-urgent doctor’s appt 👍🏼

I’ve struggled with low iron my whole adult life. Gp normally unconcerned and just get iron tablets but I was more recently down to 69 and I was hospitalised for a blood transfusion / iron transfusion. I think it’s something like under 70 dangerously anaemic, 70-90 severely anaemic, 90- 110 moderately anaemic, 110-125, slightly anaemic. Ferritin is also important, mines was 2 before I was transfused, it should be at least six. I think at least 30 before symptomatic.

im amazed to read this. Are you in England and is this your ferritin level? Ive never been 69. When i last went to the gp i was 6 or 8. My other results were really bad as well. So many ‘abnormal’ readings and all they advised was to buy iron tablets. I was really struggling to walk up stairs, get dressed, remember things.

Scotland, 69 was my hb, my ferritin was two. Honestly I was a mess I felt like I was on the back end of a bottle of wine. Light headed, dizzy, nauseous. I was sleeping propped up in bed as if I lay flat I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

My ferritin had been six previously but only iron prescribed. I think the bar for treatment is really high. It might be worth considering private treatment if you have the £££s. It’s about £1k for a round of private infusions and associated blood work . My hb is 135 and ferritin in the hundreds.

Generally if you that low you need to see a doctor you’d of been referred to the session nurse to advise you
they have a chart to follow and a ranges for the following responses
come back in 3 months
come back in 12 months
go to doctor

when they say low iron to donate you need to have a good /high off reserve of iron as donating depletes your iron level

so if you had a normal iron level then donated that would make you low in iron

too low to donate doesn’t mean you have low iron also you period can temporarily affect your iron levels

you need a higher than normal level to donate then after your donation your left with a normal iron level