Ferritin levels

[ParisUSM]

As I've said elsewhere, I'm perimenopause with fibroids and heavy periods - ferritin was 10 in 2016 and through supplementation 47 in 2017. I've kept the supplementation going (ferrous fumarate) and estimated I was above 70 by now. Got my results from medichecks today and they say I'm at 21 which basically means zero iron absorption since 2017 once I take into consideration the periods.

Gutted and have two questions

• is it worth asking my GP for the same test? Medichecks say the following

"The lab have told us that your sample has been affected by the storage liquid in the blood tube. This can happen when the sample is delayed in the post en route to the lab, or when too little blood has been taken.

This usually affects your red blood cells and the changes we can see are likely due to this. Your slightly low MCHC is no cause for concern in the context of the rest of your profile"

anyone know if this can affect ferritin tests too?

• in the last year I've been taking osteocare about 2 hours before my ferrous fumarate. It has 800 mg of calcium - anyone think this could be stopping my iron absorption?

Thanks for any help - really wanted my ferritin up to 70 to help with hair loss.

Good news is that FSH is 30 so I'm hopefully getting closer to the end....

Just found this on Mims - what a waste of a year's worth of stomach pain from taking ferrous fumarate! Feel like such an idiot

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Calcium can inhibit iron absorption; therefore, iron-containing supplements should be taken at least 6 hrs apart from Osteocare.

There are a couple of other things you ought to consider:

The jury is out on the virtue of calcium supplements. Unless you have a dairy-free diet, and have to do so, it's better to get calcium from food.

I don't have time to google and leave links but if you do, you will find research and articles that discuss the added risk of heart disease by using calcium supplements. It can be laid down in the arteries.

The other thing is, Osteocare should be taken as 2 doses over the day- not 800mgs all at once. I think it says that on the box and if not it's info that is available online. Our bodies cannot absorb more than about 400mgs at once. This is one reason why they think calcium blocks arteries- too much taken as a pill rather than small amounts in food over the day.

Have you been advised to take supplements for any reason?
There is no evidence they help bones except in women over 65.

I'm just going to stop with the Osteocare for now PollyPerky, the instructions do say to take them with your main meal though.

My calcium readings are fine with Medichecks, just the ferritin that I am super annoyed about - feel better now I've realised why they've gone down. Will just have to start again

There is plenty of evidence online about not taking large amounts of calcium in one dose. I take Osteocare because for years I ate no dairy. I now take only 400mgs (1 tablet) some days because I now eat dairy. As part of my research I came across a lot of info saying the body cannot absorb more than a certain amount of calcium (supplements) at any one time. The stuff about the risks of calcium supplements was mainstream news a while ago.

www.nhs.uk/news/heart-and-lungs/calcium-supplements-and-heart-attacks-linked/

The percentage of calcium absorbed depends on the total amount of elemental calcium consumed at one time; as the amount increases, the percentage absorption decreases. Absorption is highest in doses ≤500 mg [1]. So, for example, one who takes 1,000 mg/day of calcium from supplements might split the dose and take 500 mg at two separate times during the day.

How did you have your calcium levels checked? Calcium checks are usually done for heart issues (levels in blood.) I'm not aware they can do a blood test for the amount in your diet as it will vary each day.

Sorry PollyPerky, I was wanting to talk about Ferritin, not my calcium levels - I've decided to stop taking Osteocare. Not really wanting to derail the topic. Hope you understand.

I completely understand. But your calcium intake had affected the iron levels. Is your GP monitoring this or are you using a private lab where you send off the samples? I think you need to see your GP and check this out rather than try to self diagnose or ask on a forum.

I don't think I need anything to check out - ferritin levels climbing from 10 to 47 while taking iron supplementation. Go down to 21 after same supplementation with additional calcium - obvious to me now I've buggered things up. NHS happy with ferritin levels of 13 and was monitoring until I got above that level so doctor won't be interested. We know the problem is due to heavy periods and fibroids - been fully checked out. Absolutely raging with myself as it will take years to get back up to the level I was at.

Oh well, onwards and upwards.

Have you tried Floridex? Loads of people have suggested it over the years (health profs and others) as a gentle type of iron supplement. Not sure what you have tried so far- Mirena any good for you?

Yeah, I wonder if I should look at Floridex, others have said that to me too. I'll look into it - have to buy stronger vitamin d too as mine has went back down again. A curse on this weather (and working full time)!

Not too keen on Mirena, I really feel I'm near the end of this and am taking the FSH at 30 (was 16 last year) as a good sign. I know levels are up and down and all over the place, but I really don't think I've long to go. Taking tranexamic acid which is helping too. Just could kick myself over the calcium, but what's done is done.

I found FLoradix much better than any other iron supplements, try to take it in orange juice or tomato juice as the vit c helps absorption. It should get your levels back up far quicker than tablets.

I am regularly anaemic and find spatone liquid iron much better than iron tablets. Don't affect my stomach but still increase levels well.

Thanks for that, will take my remaining ferrous fumarate tablets (without calcium), and then look properly at floradix. At least I know now why my numb fingers and breathlessness has returned recently and will be able to gauge improvements. Still annoyed at myself but lesson learned. Thanks for the suggestions