Very low ferritin

[QuickPeachPoet]

I have had a whole blood test to check a past condition, which was fine. However, some other results came up which have surprised me.

Ferritin: 8 (I understand this is very low)
Hb: normal (so no anaemia)
B12: 203 (normal but low)

I have an appointment to discuss in a couple of days but wanted to have an idea of what she will say. Surely iron supplements? I have been reading horror stories about being sent for infusions with numbers higher than mine!

I am symptomatic. I feel pretty awful to be honest but had put it down too tress and exhaustion. I used to be a competitive athlete and now I struggle to train. Low mood, headaches, poor sleep, cold hands. All explained now.

Any medics or people with a bit more know how than me shed a light on what I am likely to hear. I don't mind if I have to take tablets tbh, I'd cope if it meant I felt better.

Mine was 5. Was given prescription for iron tabs.

There's tons of past threads on here with more info if you have a look

I take ferrous sulphate for crap ferritin and it’s alright with a daily pill. I just buy it, it’s very cheap. I used to get b12 injections at the GP as I don’t absorb it but they won’t offer it often enough for me not to slump when it’s due so I do my own at home. The NHS guidelines on b12 are much lower than other countries use, not sure why. It’s good you know what’s causing your symptoms, both deficiencies are common and should respond quickly with treatment. Hope you feel loads better very soon.

I was in a similar situation with a ferritin of 6. No infusion though as haemoglobin was normal. I felt tired, my hair was falling out, tingling face and fingers and I was generally a wreck. I was prescribed ferrous fumerate (horrible stuff that gives me the runs) and it did work but long term I need a supermarket type iron supplement to stop me deteriorating again. A few months later when a new GP started he reviewed results for whatever reason and contacted me as he was concerned no underlying cause had been tested for. Long story short it turned out a have coeliac disease. This accounts for so many of the bizarre symptoms that I was having. People had started to insinuate that it was perhaps in my head as nothing particularly screamed an underlying condition until someone who knew put it all together. I would really push to find out what's going on.

My ferritin was 5 and hb 74 so tgey gave me a blood transfusion but no iron infusion 🙄 I was wanting one as I thought I’d feel instantly refreshed but no no, iron tablets it was.

Mine was due to severe menstrual bleeding but like pp says, celiac disease can cause it too

I was hospitalised for haemoglobin of 40 and ferritn of <1. Felt dreadful but had to wait 4 weeks for GP_ appointment. Had 4 units of RBC and a iron infusion. It helpped a lot. Heavy periods caused this. Meant to lose 60ml each month was more like 560ml!! I got prescribed ferrous sulphate but gives me runs. Tried ferrous fumurate - constipation. Tried feroglobin liquidd - fantastic!

I've just had similar, ferritin 7, very undertreated thyroid, hyperglycaemic (apparently low iron and thyroid hormone can compound each other and push up blood sugar) - edit: also low B12 - and positive antibodies indicating coeliac disease. Pretty gutted tbh but I'll get over it. I'd ask to have your thyroid and coeliac antibiotics checked

My haemoglobin is normal and my ferritin was 14. I had an iron infusion a week ago. Tablets don't seem to help me much. I'm still feeling a bit nauseous but feeling less brain fog and less body fatigue. I'll see how it goes over time. It's too soon to really tell.

Low ferritin is really common. You need to start supplements, take with oj to increase absorption and probably take for life. Some people just do not seem to get enough through diet alone.
The fact you aren't anaemic means it's nothing to worry about.

One of the previous threads is mine. Take iron every other day with Vit C but also see if they will do an infusion, yours is very low. It's easier on the gut than the amount they will prescribe, which is quite hard work.

Do you suffer with REDs?

My ferratin was 19 when last tested, I was feeling pretty bad - hair loss, exhaustion, poor sleep, cold tingly hands, palpitations. No apparent reason, I don’t have particularly heavy periods.

My GP insisted 15 to 30 was completely normal, she refused to prescribe me supplements and told me to buy my own if I was that concerned. She also refused me a fit test and said to come back in 3 months after I’ve taken supplements and she’ll only then agree to another blood test.

Online and many other doctors say my GP is totally wrong - under 15 is iron infusion territory, and 80+ is the number to be aimed for.

I went through a box of Spatone taking two sachets a day mixed with orange juice. I’m now taking the Better You Iron Spray. I’ll be going back to the GP at the end of March to see if there’s any improvement.

If mine was as low as yours I think I’d be insisting on an iron infusion.

I haven't heard of reds. Sorry but I would like to as I'm open into further researching my ferritin.

I have a thyroid nodule so I asked if this could be affecting my levels but they aren't bothered about that and gp said it won't affect it? I still waiting for thyroid clinic appointment as it's 20mm nodule.

I mentioned it as I'm a coach, so it's something they try to educate us about, especially for younger athletes.

REDs in athletes

Link attached.

Good luck with "insisting". First of all, you cant "insist" that you have a medical procedure.

Second of all, it's unbelievably difficult to get an NHS iron infusion. My ferritin was less than OPs and i pretty much got laughed out of the room when I requested it.

What's your source for "under 15 is iron infusion territory"? It's not in NICE guidelines.

@Gloriia "its nothing to worry about". Maybe do some reading around it?

'its nothing to worry about". Maybe do some reading around it?'

I'm fully Informed thanks, by nothing to worry about I mean obviously that it doesn’t need investigating like when anaemic. Being deficient is not due to a potentially serious underlying issue.

Loads of people are iron deficient, you take supplements and get ferritin checked usually on an ongoing basis.

Anyway I've just realised this thread is from last Oct so I'm sure the op is sorted now!