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Is my Iron low?

4 replies

NixieDust · 08/07/2025 17:00

I have a feeling my iron is low, I am just not feeling good! Dizzy, lightheaded, strong heartbeat feel, mouth ulcers, vision seems off. I've been to the doctors and once again told me it's labyrinthitis.
Asked for bloods which the will do but there's no appointments available until the end of the month! I bought an iron deficiency test today and the results are normal however it's a very light line so although not anemic what are the chances I still need to supplement?

Is my Iron low?
OP posts:
NotAntisocialJustSelectivelySocial · 08/07/2025 17:05

Don’t supplement before a blood test or it can skew the results.
Do check that B12 and folate are on the blood form, those deficiencies can cause mouth ulcers/dizziness etc

Greybeardy · 08/07/2025 17:14

The explanation of the result will be in the pack, but those packs are nigh on useless. I use one from time to time out of mild interest - the cut off for normal on the ones I’ve used is 10 and that is low enough to cause some people symptoms but still give a ‘normal’ result. (I only do it out of mild interest as my ferritin’s been below 10 for several years and doesn’t really cause me much bother). I’d probably not waste any more money on home tests, get the actual lab tests and see what the person who’s interpreting them in the context of the rest of your medical history thinks. It’s also worth remembering that ferritin isn’t just an indicator of iron stores - it can be significantly affected by lots of other things.

NixieDust · 08/07/2025 17:58

NotAntisocialJustSelectivelySocial · 08/07/2025 17:05

Don’t supplement before a blood test or it can skew the results.
Do check that B12 and folate are on the blood form, those deficiencies can cause mouth ulcers/dizziness etc

Thank you I'll specifically ask for these!

OP posts:
NixieDust · 08/07/2025 18:21

Greybeardy · 08/07/2025 17:14

The explanation of the result will be in the pack, but those packs are nigh on useless. I use one from time to time out of mild interest - the cut off for normal on the ones I’ve used is 10 and that is low enough to cause some people symptoms but still give a ‘normal’ result. (I only do it out of mild interest as my ferritin’s been below 10 for several years and doesn’t really cause me much bother). I’d probably not waste any more money on home tests, get the actual lab tests and see what the person who’s interpreting them in the context of the rest of your medical history thinks. It’s also worth remembering that ferritin isn’t just an indicator of iron stores - it can be significantly affected by lots of other things.

Thank you, I just wanted an idea as to how bad it was but they don't show levels just if you're anemic so I'm none the wiser!
I'll try and wait for labs but it's a long while to wait but equally don't want to mess the results and still be non the wiser!

OP posts:
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