Considering a private iron infusion for ongoing fatigue after menopause

[midnightmoon8]

Hi all, I'm a 57 year old female who is tired all the time. I've never been one for having much energy but since menopause 7 years ago it's worse. I'm on HRT but still need afternoon sleeps several times a week. I'm a lifelong vegetarian so have always been conscious to keep my iron & B12 levels up but a blood test last year gave me a ferritin level of 46. Started taking ferrous fumarate and in 7 months it has gone up to 56. (B12 levels normal). I'm seriously considering paying for a private iron infusion as I feel as though I'm sleeping my life away. Any experience/thoughts appreciated.

Iron infusions are not a magic bullet, they still take months to work so if the iron tablets are working I wouldn't waste my money.

There are so many things it could be other than iron….. have you discussed it with your GP?

46 is ok. Some people have ferritin of less than 20 and tbh if hb is ok it probably won't be a cause of your fatigue.

Best thing to do imo is lots of physical activity to improve quality of sleep etc, eat a nutritious diet which if your veggie you will and just accept sadly it is part of ageing we slow down and naps are quite common with most people, work and lifestyle allowing!

Obviously as a pp said check everything else is ok but if you know your ferritin I presume thyroid etc all checked and fine.

Also while hrt is great for many women the progesterone part can make you sleepy. What about testosterone have you tried adding that? Works well for libido and energy in many women.

I wouldn't have thought that level is low enough to make you feel so tired. You really need to go and see your doctor to try and get to the bottom of it. Is your thyroid ok? My ferritin is 10 and I'm now on iron tablets. I didn't need to sleep in the day. I wasn't offered an infusion at that level.

Hi.
I'm peri. My current ferritin is 50. My GP is not concerned; she advised me last month to eat more iron-rich foods and keep taking my iron supplements.

I've read that perimenopausal women sometimes get private iron infusions, but postmenopausal women usually don't unless they have a medical indication.

If you are considering a private transfusion, check the total cost. There are the admin and consultation fees, and you may have to have blood tests to confirm whether you are suitable.

Fresh air and a walk can help reduce fatigue, release endorphins and increase energy. Do you get outside a lot?

I hope you find something that helps.

I'm taking the sachets off of Amazon you can drink from the packet they have helped the most!

When I was anaemic I had a private iron infusion at the Cambridge Iron Clinic
It was nearly £900 but worth every penny
Took a month to kick in

What are these please?

You don’t need it.

I have had low iron all my adult life, never more than 30 for ferritin, but I’ve been fine as my haemoglobin/haematocrit was fine.

It wasn’t until those dropped to below normal levels (and my ferritin also at 9) that I actually got ill from anaemia. I wasn’t offered an infusion even at that stage.

I would explore lifestyle factors and other possible causes, including thyroid function, rather than up your iron to potentially dangerous levels.

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Spatone, I get PMDD also probably low iron didn't help and these have improved it and my tiredness etc. Mine was 16, apparently this is easier to absorb by the body and I agree. Tablets caused me bad bowel issues!

56 is ok. It’s not optimum but it shouldn’t be meaning you feel so tired.
Do you take your iron with vitamin c or with something containing vit c. There are also things to avoid a couple of hours either side - coffe I think is one and Calcium.
Its probably with a GP appointment- explain the impact the tiredness is having on your life but don’t mention the iron etc and let the GP work it out.
There are many other things it could be.

Hi op. It probably isn't the ferritin stores, though you can keep taking the supplements, I did until ferritin was over 100.

I discovered at 46 that I'm hypermobile
Which fully explains why I have needed to nap at every opportunity my whole life. I was still sleeping two hours a day after lunch until I went to school at 4.

I'm 48 now and writing this from bed, I've had a busy morning. Early dog walk, supermarket shop, a small bodyweight workout. I'm abs shattered. Will sleep for an hour now. That's really normal for me at the weekend.

Does this sound similar for you?