Ferritin Level of 6

[daffodilll]

Just looking for some advice- I went to the doctors recently because I’ve been feeling unwell. Tired all the time, dizzy, skin itching, hair falling out, went from running half marathons to not even getting up the stairs without being out of breath and I can just barely function- I’m anxious, teary and can’t even remember how to do my job at times and I keep getting my words muddled, it’s bizarre! The doctor ordered bloods and my ferritin level has come back as 6 which seems low to me but the GP didn’t seem concerned as my FBC was normal and just suggested some dietary changes and repeat in a month. Has anyone had anything similar?

Sorry you feel rotten. It’s horrible. I had the same as you symptom wise particularly the skin itching. Mine was 8. 11 is the minimum they want, anything lower they should prescribe iron supplements so I was told. I was given 6 months worth with blood test after 3 months showing it had gone up to 11 so still lower end.
definitely push for supplements or just buy online but the low iron is the likely cause of your symptoms and will probably improve if you supplement. No harm in trying.

I should add although this was through my GP I have also just completed cancer treatment so GP together worked with hospital team and my oncologist agreed on the supplements, for how long and he ordered the repeat bloods etc because low iron can sometimes indicate certain cancers so they wanted to be sure it was increasing. Not sure if a repeat blood test to check is the norm, or if 6 months is usual duration for supplements but worth trying.

Blimey, no wonder you feel dreadful with a level of 6. Mine got as low as 22 and I was getting terrible palpitations that left me unable to sit up.

You need supplements! Get the strongest ones you can stomach and insist on a repeat blood test after 2-3 months. Take them with orange juice as vit c helps with absorption. Avoid dairy before and for around an hour after you’ve taken them. As dairy impedes absorption.

Hi I struggle with low ferritin, and recently managed to keep anaemia at bay, although have suffered severe anaemia in the past. I struggle to tolerate iron tablets, I have tried many brands.

I paid to get an iron infusion privately at the iron clinic in London. I was told I have iron deficiency without anaemia which can still make you feel terrible and affect your hair. My last test was 11 and the clinic said above 30 is healthier for a menstruating woman and above 80 for 2 years is needed for strong hair recovery. It cost about £800 including a private doctor consultation. With an infusion you would normally feel better within 4-6 weeks. With my level of loss, I anticipate I will go every 2 years. If you can afford it I would recommend it. You can find more information on their website if you google it.

i hope this helps you.

Hello, I also struggle with low iron.

Mine has been as low as 3.8 and I didn't have the symptoms you have, but I did feel low on energy and slightly light-headed at times. I do struggle with supplements because they make me really constipated so I take a lower dose every other day and drink with orange juice which brings it up slowly. Currently I'm pretty good but I've accepted I will just be on the iron tablets long term! I have also had two Infusions when particularly low but they always want you do try the supplements first.

Do you have very heavy periods? Mine was related to this and has improved now thankfully. I think it's important to figure out why your iron is so low.

Years ago I was very anaemic and my ferritin was 2. I didn't realise that unusual food cravings can be a sign also. I was crunching on ice cubes constantly and would easily eat several packets of cherries in 1 sitting. Ferritin is your iron stores.

Did the GP prescribe iron supplements? I agree with taking them with Vit C rich food and try to cut tannins. I started eating liver and being more mindful of my diet. Hopefully you start feeling better soon.

Good grief OP no wonder you feel so ill! You need to be around 70 just to have healthy hair growth with 100 being optimal 😱

I would have expected a transfusion at your level - have a look at the NICE guidelines to see what your GP should be doing.

Otherwise take iron supplements with Vitamin C for easier absorption. No caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, cola) for 2 hours either side of taking it. I take mine at bedtime as it's easier to work out timings. I also found the mouth spray (from Better You) better as you won't get an upset stomach that some people get from swallowing tablets. Good luck!

You don’t need a transfusion but you do need supplements. Shocking for that to be dismissed! I would recommend ferrous bisglycinate- easily available online and much gentler on your system than ferrous sulphate, which a GP would prescribe. Taking it every second day has been shown to be as effective as every day.

I had a ferritin of 4 and bisglycinate was really effective for getting it into the normal range.

How long did it take to get in range with the bisglycinate? I can’t take the recommended high dose tablets due to stomach issues.

Have they checked your vitamin b12 level as a lot of your symptoms could be attributed to this too

Thanks everyone I’ll pick up some iron supplements! I’m already on b12 injections and have been for years but weirdly my b12 level came back 277 so lower end of normal- I’d have expected it to be higher all things considered but technically still normal!

I had a miscarriage last month so I don’t know if that’s related to the drop in ferritin but I’d been having symptoms prior to pregnancy. I double checked and when they last did bloods in January this year my ferritin was 32.7 and they marked it normal

I just read your update OP. I'm sorry for your loss
I wrongly assumed your GP had given you a prescribed dose of iron tablets such as ferrous fumarate. I know your Hb is normal, but over the counter iron supplements are for maintenance, not to correct a deficiency. You will get people on MN saying that spatone is 'gentle' iron. That is because it contains such little iron, you'd get more from licking a steak! A sachet is 5mg. Even OTC multivitamins with iron contain 14mg. Prescribed iron meds can be 10x that dose.

There is a blue-green algae called spirulina which you can get in tablet forms from health food shops/online. It too is high in iron. Not to replace proper supplements, but can be used in conjunction with them. I'm surprised your GP is doing a repeat blood test in 1mth because it takes 3mths for red blood cells to replicate. Maybe its to check its on the way up.

Can i ask what strength of iron bisglycinate worked for you? Amazon has 20, 28, 40, and 80mg tablets . Thanks

I took 28mg every other day and my iron stores were vastly improved within a couple of months.

Thank you!

Similar here, including the half marathon running and now being out of breath going up the stairs! Ferritin of 8. I was only prescribed supplements once FBC started to be affected with Hb out of range etc, they did dismiss me like you before that (despite telling me such low iron stores were not fixable by dietary changes alone). I was recently retested after a month of supplements and as FBC is now fine (only just, still on the very lowest end of normal across the board) it said no follow up was needed.... despite the ferritin still being 8.
The fatigue is out of this world, just all-body exhaustion all the time, cracking skin and nails, losing hair etc. I'm quite fed up with it and considering whether to get my own supplements (despite the stomach side effects) or biting the bullet and getting an infusion privately. Good luck!

Low ferritin is often caused by Coeliac disease. Have you been checked?