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 had a 9! Just order lots of ferrous fumarate yourself, it is cheaper and frankly easier.

@prawn100 are there two companies? I've been chatting to someone from The Vitamin Clinic but it also comes up with The Wellness Clinic on Google? Same address from what I can see?

Hi, it's this one; Leeds road, Nelson

thevitaminclinic.co.uk

I dont mind purchasing the ferrous sulphate or fumerate myself, not at all an issue.
But I do want to know WHY it is so low. If it is low due to malabsorption from an underlying casue (eg coeliac) then taking all the iron in the world isn't going to fix it! Worse still, it could be low from internal bleeding, which may have a serious cause (although feel this is unlikely, it does need ruling out)

yes, I was confused by that when I googled, both have same address so asume it is the same place?

I’m 9 and they are doing a hospital admission for blood transfusion if I reach 7 so the GP is being ridiculous.

@cutefluffyunicorn yes, same place, only one clinic there. I live 20 minutes from it

I feel like it's a complete postcode lottery whether you'll be offered infusion.

My ferritin is 4 and HB 108.

Prescribed ferrous numerate 210mg twice a week to try and limit gastro side effects.

I feel like the vitamin clinic are miles cheaper than anywhere else and now it's making me wary? Everywhere else is roughly £700-£1000 and the vitamin clinic are £300. 👀

yes, I was thinking the same. I cant understand why they would be so much cheaper??

@B2B25 it's the location. That's it!

I get them. My Hb was very low this time but it’s often still within the normal range when I get an iron infusion.

Should IV iron not be given in a hospital setting though due to the risk of a severe reaction?

The day after my iron infusion my phosphate levels dropped to zero and I was blue lighted to hospital. Apparently there's a rare complication that can happen if you have an iron infusion and have very low vitamin d. I had lots of other things going on so I'm not trying to alarm anyone but I would be wary of receiving an IV infusion anywhere other than a hospital and through a reputable provider

As well as eating more iron rich foods and those with vitamin c to aid absorption watch out for those that inhibit absorption too.

yes, I agree this is a valid concern. Sorry that happened to you, sounds scarey.
There are very strict protocols around administering an iron infusion and tbh not sure I would feel comfortable having this outside of a medical setting.

Wow! You’re lucky to have such a supportive GP.

As I said above, mine was 5 and I was told to take tablets, end of discussion (or any investigation as to why). I paid to have a private infusion.

From what I can see on my nhs trust formulary they only give infusions for people about to have surgery (so no time for tablets to work) or those on dialysis.

When I had mine it was with a consultant administering it, and then sat in the room doing paperwork and with a nurse sat next to me monitoring my blood press etc the whole time.

The lower limit is 15 so 9 is very low. I would go back and in the meantime get some iron tablets from the pharmacy

Hi op, I’ve only really read your posts so apologies if I am duplicating advice but have you done the stool sample and check for colitis etc and maybe a colonoscopy? I have ulcerative colitis and so don’t absorb iron so my ferritin is often low without iron tablets. Not quite infusion level (tho it probably should have been!) but iron prescription is needed to help with not feeling exhausted and having palpitations and anxiety.

I am having surgery in 2 weeks. So maybe that’s why.

no, not had anything checked at all ass to the cause. GP had actually marked the result as "borderline" rather than low, and it was only because I brought it up at end of appointment that she gave me some iron - but seemed very unconcerned tbh.
I am def now thinking this needs further investigation as to cause .

its so rubbish that it seems such pot luck what kind of care you get from your GP isnt it? I don't really have the energy to be trying to figure all this out myself and then going back begging for tests etc..... (well, you know I wouldn't have much energy would I with a ferritin of 9!! 😂)

I'm late to the party with this reply but wanted to share my recent experience.

Around 1yr ago, routine blood tests showed low ferritin (but not anaemic) & GP advised to start iron supplements (ferritin levels were 22ug/L & lowest recommended where I am - not UK - is 30). Six months later, blood test shows ferritin now 15!

A few months later is 19.

At this point, Dr is curious why I'm not absorbing/storing the iron, so refers me to a gastroenterologist for colonscopy & endoscopy. The recent blood test shows coeliac is not the issue.

Eventually after procrastinating - and going on holiday - I book in to see the Gastro Dr. He then books me into the local private hospital for colonscopy & endoscopy and an iron infusion. This was two weeks ago now. Haven't received the results yet but the iron infusion has made me feel far much less 'bleurgh' about life - before I was really totally disinterested in a lot of things and found everything to be quite the effort. Now I'm still lazy but feel much more motivated and less like everything is a massive effort. Plus I can get out of bed easier in the mornings.

Sadly my undereye dark circles haven't cleared up like I hoped they would!

Long story short, would recommend iron infusion & any other investigations that you can get started on.

thats good to hear that the infusion has helped. I do wonder how much this was in fact contributing to what I assumed was depresison (lack of interest in things, no motivation, poor energy, reduced concentration etc!)
I'm going back into battle with the AI GP triage system next week in an attempt to see another GP and get some resolution!

I had a ferritin of 2 and my mouth was bleeding before they would take my bloods and I felt so awful. I did feel better after iron tablets. They had kept telling me to go to the dentist. My mouth was bleeding from the sides and the gums