Ferritin Level 2

[Artymummy10]

I struggle with extremely heavy periods, to the point I can barely function when I have them. Confirmed PCOS, being investigated for endometriosis.
Since my last period 2 weeks ago, I have been feeling absolutely terrible - can barely stand without nearly passing out, extremely tired, dizzy etc. I knew it was anaemia as I felt exactly as I did in pregnancy which was caused by anaemia. Blood test results have come back today and while my haemoglobin level is only a bit below normal, my ferritin level is 2 (according to results should be between 15 and 300)
I has anyone ever experienced ferritin levels this low? How did you feel? How long did it take to start feeling better on iron tablets?

That’s VERY low, ask (demand) ferinject retiring infusion and medication to reduce your heavy periods.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah I’ll get back in contact with GP. They’ve just told me to take iron tablets and retest in 3 months. I can’t cope like this for 3 months.

At their lowest mine was 3 and I felt dreadful! Mine was due to very heavy periods due to fibroids and polyps.
Iron tablets didn't was exhausted all the time. I was breathless getting things out of the lower cupboards, felt like I'd run a marathon when going upstairs or walking the 5 mins to my local shop. I was itchy all over and my anxiety was very high and sleep was non existent.
Iron tablets didn't help as the root cause wasn't being treated. I had to have iron infusions and at one point a blood transfusion.
I eventually had a hysterectomy (age 52) and my levels have gone back up.

If you have funds or a credit card then get a private iron infusion.
Don't waste any time. You will be better in a few weeks.

Gosh this sounds exactly like me. I feel like I’ve run a marathon just sat on the sofa.
Can I ask how your fibroids and polyps were diagnosed? I’m currently early 30s but have been seriously considering a hysterectomy as I’ve exhausted all the medication options and I don’t feel like I’m living a life right now.

Wow I didn’t even realise this was an option. I’ll look into it now, thank you x

@Artymummy10 I had internal and external ultrasounds which diagnosed them. Before having the hysterectomy, when I was in my early 40s, I had a procedure to remove the polyps which did help for several years, but they can grow back. Are you having heavy periods and passing large clots? If so, I'd ask to be referred to have these scans a go from there.

I do know they will be very reluctant to let you have a hysterectomy in your 30s, I know as I'd been asking since my late 20s. Hope you get some resolution soon, but it may take some time. I had at least 3 years of infusions before having my op it prior to that it was at least 10 years of awful awful periods.

One thing I will suggest is keeping a diary. I did a block chart for a year and filled in each day I was bleeding, and those which were heaviest. Just showing that to the GP was enough for them to understand.

20yrs ago, I had a ferritin of 3 and Hb of 9. I was getting UTI's, knackered, dizzy and unusual food cravings. I now know food cravings can be a sign. It sounds ridiculous now, but I would crunch on ice cubes. I even drove through mcdonalds- just for a cup of ice! 🙄I was clubbing/uni/semi professional dancer and just not eating well. No bleeding issues.

I was offered iron injections- not IV, but into the muscle. I declined, because unless they use a Z track technique, it can leave a permanent tattoo in the skin! I don't think an injection into the muscle is done now. Some places will do an infusion, but I don't know what the NHS recommends now. Ferritin is your iron stores.

I took the prescribed tablets and drastically changed by diet. Red blood cells do take 3mths to replicate, but I started felt better in a few weeks. Take your tablets with Vic C rich foods- orange juice, peppers, kiwis and avoid food rich in tannins. I increased by red meat and started eating liver. With bacon and onion gravy, it helped disguise the flavour and I actually like it now.

Whatever you do, don't change to spatone/floradix or over the counter supplements. These are for maintenance only and not strong enough to correct such a deficiency. A bit like saying you can fill a swimming pool using 1 teaspoon of water a day! A blue/green algae called spirulina is a supplement which can also help increase your iron, but again, NOT to replace the prescribed meds you get.

Edited to say, if your periods are so heavy, I'm surprised your GP hasn't given you tranexamic acid! Have they suggested going on the pill or other contraception which stops your periods?

Yes, very heavy with large clots. I last had an ultrasound last year but will push for another. Thank you, the diary is a great idea. It really does take so much pushing to get help x

Thank you for all this. I’m pretty much vegan so that probably doesn’t help my iron intake anyway!
With regards tranexamic acid, I was on this in my teens but doctors don’t want me on it now due to the risk of blood clots as a close family member has had some.
I can’t take the pill or similar as they give me very bad migraines. Pretty much any artificial hormones are a no go for me 😫

Mine was 5 and I felt like death. Had an iron infusion and latterly a blood transfusion. You cannot function at all with such low ferritin. My GP also just gave me a pack of iron pills initially, it's farcical. Had to go privately, good luck OP.

Can you have a mirena coil fitted?

Oh I really feel you. I honestly feel like I can’t function at all at the moment.
I’ll really push for an iron infusion but they don’t seem keen at the moment.
With regards to Mirena coil, I had one for a few years and had terrible side effects from it, basically bled the whole time.

You absolutely must get an iron infusion.
It’s actually bordering on negligence they have offered you iron tablets. At this point you are so anemic - and so that’s a viscous circle. The more anemic you are the more you bleed.
So one period could easily wipe out the months gain made with the iron tablets.
keep an eye on your iron levels. I get repeatedly anemic no matter what I do. So now I get iron injections every three months (I am not in the Uk)

Yes mine was 2 after I bled during childbirth (and didn't get a blood transfusion). It took me nearly 2 years to get back up to normal ferritin. This was with prescription iron tablets (ferrous fumerate was best for me), taking the mini pill to stop my periods, and absolutely hammering the iron rich foods and taking vit d high dose also.

In your situation I think I'd pay for private iron treatment if I was at all able to. Not sure how you'd tackle the heavy periods though, which seems to be the root cause of the ferritin issue.

GP is refusing an iron infusion so private it is ☹️

@Artymummy10 mine was worth every penny! It's far from cheap but I'd do it again. I went to Cambridge so if you are in this area PM me.

Thank you! I’m closer to London but Cambridge isn’t too far so I’ll PM you x

Yes and yes ! Mine was 5 and my Hb 100. I was having loads of symptoms like pps, palpitations, chest tightness, anxiety and shortness of breath. Don’t think it helped that I was going through perimenopause too. Even had a treadmill test which just showed a high heart rate, probably because my ferritin was so low but this wasn’t picked up properly for a year and a half. In the end I had a panicked call off my GP to tell me I needed 6 months of iron supplements after a blood test in A/E had discovered it was so low ! I ended up there because I was so worried about my symptoms.

There's the Iron Clinic in London too, same price I think?

Good luck! Just as an aside, it can take up to 3 weeks to really work so dont worry if you don't feel better immediately xx

Thank you so much to all of you. I had a private infusion yesterday ❤️ I’m so glad to get it done and be on the path to feeling a bit better!
I’ve woken up with the most horrific headache, did anyone else have this after the infusion? How soon did you start to notice a difference in your symptoms and start to feel a bit better?

4 weeks for me.
6 weeks after I was a new woman
I didn't get a headache. I was warned about 'iron flu' but I didn't get any side effects but I was at rock bottom and already feeling dreadful

Ferritin level of 9, GP not concerned, but I feel awful www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/5259404-ferritin-level-of-9-gp-not-concerned-but-i-feel-awful

@maxplanck all your symptoms sounds exactly like what I'm having at the moment.
Heavy periods and 42 (think I'm experiencing some peri symptoms).
Can I ask how long after taking the iron tabs did you start to feel better? My Hb is 10, ferritin 12. I've been taking ferrous fumerate twice daily for 7 weeks now but my symtoms haven't gone yet. The light-headedness has eased, but I still feel breathless most days which bothers me alot (even at rest)