Ferritin level of 9, GP not concerned, but I feel awful

[cutefluffyunicorn]

I recently had bloods done after contacting GP about experiencing extreme dizziness and fast heart rate when standing up. Bloods were all mostly OK. I'm not anaemic as haemoglobon was fine. Only real abrnomrality was a ferriting level of 9. reference range from the lab was 10-291, so GP described it "borderline" rather than abnormal result. BUT from my own research it suggests that this is actually really low, and you can get symptoms, even without anaemia, when levels are really less than 50.
I am jsut recovering from a severe depressive epsiode , but although my mood is now much better I am expereincing a lot of physical health symptoms inluding lots of dizziness, tiring more easily, overall fatigue, brain fog, thinning hair which just wont grow, palpitations and excessively fast heart rate with any sort of activity (for example vacuuming the lounge the other day sent my HR to 130 and left me breathless and dizzy) I was previously fairly fit, running 5- 10K fairly regularly so I definitely feel something is off.
I did manage to pursuade GP to (reluctantly)prescribe some ferrous sulphate but there are no plans to recheck bloods or follow up at all.

Any expereince of low ferritin without anamia? Did it make you feel awful? What dose of ferrous sulphate (or other) did you take? How long did it take to levels to rise and for you to feel better? Should I push for GP to recheck bloods at some point to see if improved?

Thanks for any advice

I am currently off sick, have been for a while due to the depression, but I'm going back in a couple of weeks. Would have been good to be able to stand up without almost keeling over and not feel so exhasted whilst negotiating return to work though!!😂

Mine was 11 and I had really bad palpitations and breathless with it. GP prescribed 3 months of Ferrous Sulphate 210mg x 2 daily. I was just about in normal levels after the 3 months. But now I can get it OTC I buy it myself and take once daily.

You need a new doctor, OP!!!

I felt awful when mine was 13. I also felt very low in mood. I got my levels up to 40 within a year on ferrous fumerate 3x daily. I now take one a day and am hoping to slowly get levels higher. You can buy them over the counter OP, and you should do this once the GP stops prescribing.

This
.. you must be feeling awful op. Mine was 3.7 and hot told to take iron supplements, mot concerned. I was having daily migraines, dizzy and couldn't function. Constant headaches, was awful.

Below 40 is anemic af. Start self medicating and get 2nd opinion because our nhs is broken.

I had low ferritin and folate with normal haemoglobin level for many years. I would eat all the correct foods and it made no difference to the results. I didn't feel ill. As l got older my haemoglobin level dropped and l became anaemic.

Like a PP, it turned out that l have Coeliac disease. All ok now I'm on gluten free diet.

@McSpoot i am in Geneva! Also get restless legs when I’m anemic. Waving!

thats interesting. I am definitely wondering about this. As I said I have previously had symptoms suggestive of coeliac and now I generally don't eat a lot of gluten (although have not strictly cut it out) cause I know it makes me feel grim! Although previous antibody blood test was negative 3 or 4 yrs ago.....but may ask for another test.

You probably already know this but if you do ask for an antibody test you need to have been eating gluten regularly for about 6 weeks for the antibodies to show up in your bloods

When my ferritin was 2 I was hospitalised for a blood transfusion and then an iron transfusion. My hb was down to 69 though. I genuinely felt dreadful. Like I was drunk and dizzy.

I have low ferritin, have had for years. Most recent test mine was 20 but my gp was happy to px given I was symptomatic. He said the range now stated as normal is ridiculously wide.

Do you have night sweats, itching all over, loss of appetite, enlarged lymph nodes? When my iron was that low I had lymphoma (and was promptly given an iron infusion)

yes, I cant remember if I knew that last time I was tested or how much gluten I was eating then as have eaten restricted gluten on and off for some time. The thought of increasing gluten again for 6 weeks is a bit miserable, but may be worth doing for a definitive diagnosis.

only loss of apetite out of those, which was due to depression I think.

I don't want to derail OP's thread but @Ilovelowry can you elaborate on this method please?

Vit c increases the absorption of the ferrou sulphate. Its important not to take too close to consuming certain oterh food/drinks (eg tea, coffee, dairy) which inhibit absorption, and best to try to take on an empty stomach for optimal absorption.
There is some evidence that alternate day dosing encourges better absorption than every day dosing, which some studies suggest results in some of the iron not being absorbed. (see study abstract here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31413088/ )

How much did your ferritin increase by please, interesting

I suffer so much and Dr's are no use. Had another day of headaches and nausea... whilst on a management course and having to work too.
Ife is low key misery, I sometimes feel I would rather be dead than know this lowkey pain and suffering with added migraines is forthe rest of my life. Which atm it feels it might be.

I suffer so much, we all do. Dr's won't listen.

Lymphoma as in the big c!? My mum recently died of sepsis from lymphoma complicatoons

it wasnt me that has tried this, I was just explaining how it worked.
Ive only just started ferrous sulphate, my ferritin is 9. Will get it checked again in around 2-3 months to see if its improved.
Do you have any understanding what may be causing your low ferritin level?

Mine was 15 last time it was tested and my GP prescribed iron tablets for 3 months then retest. I feel OK but I have a history of iron deficiency.

No it's a recurring theme of go to Dr's, ferritin is low... take iron, rinse repeat.

What are the right words to say to get the. To listen?

Yes @Theuniversalshere1 , I'm so sorry about your mum. I had sepsis too last year

Was awful I hope you're much better now.

Mine was 12, I felt awful. I posted on here and everyone said it wasn’t normal. I have no idea what it is now but I still have days where I feel weak. All my joints hurt now and im so foggy headed

This is really interesting and I'm going to try it, thank you. I hope you start feeling better soon.

I had an iron infusion last week. My ferritin was 7 and my hb 80 (it’s been lower).
My bloods are checked every 2 months and I tend to need infusions 2-3 times a year.
I was late getting them checked this time as my Dr was on leave and nobody else would authorise. Whilst I’m lucky to get infusions I have to do a lot of chasing!

Edit - posted too soon. Can always tell when my levels have dropped. High heart rate, breathless, jumpy legs, hair loss and a bone aching fatigue are some of the highlights.