Ferritin Level of 6.

[njshep]

I'm 50 and the last few years have seen my periods get incredibly heavy, lasting longer and occuring more frequently. The clotting in unbelievable.
I have had blood work done and my ferritin stores are very low at 6. My hemoglobin, rbs and hemocratit are all also below normal range but not by much. I am already taking iron supplements and have been for years. I do not seem to be getting any advice of what to do next. My dr. just says to take an iron supplement.
Anyone had any very low ferritin like this? If so, did you have success with any particular treatment.
My main issue as far as symptoms is wild heart palpitations, shortness of breath and dizziness.

You need a heavy duty iron supplement - ferrous fumerate or similar, not something like spatone.

I was down to a ferritin level of 5 and was prescribed 3x210mg daily. It took several months to get levels back up to anywhere near normal.

The evidence is that iron tablets work best once a day, possibly every other day. 3x a day is outdated prescribing.

However did your Gp not offer anything for the bleeding such as tranexamic acid or Mirena coil?

If you don't sort the bleeding it's like trying to fill a bath without the plug in.

Ah OK - my experience was probably 6 years ago, so under an older regime possibly.

Have you had your stomach checked to make sure no ulcer as that is soo low
I would be getting a private transfusion done and asking for Txa from my doctor because that bleeding is dreadful and it's really affecting you

Iron is hard for your guts to absorb and if you're taking it and it's not working I would want to know why

What @stopbeeping Said. Iron infusions are amazing and you well feel great in no time.
your doctors advice is appalling. Why no investigation into why your periods are so heavy ? And resolving that.
Anemia is a viscous circle and when they low iron tables will take months to do anthing - meanwhile your periods are heavy and any gains from the iron are lost each time you have a period.

I should have added that I have a 5cm fibroid which they attribute to the bleeding. I was referred to semi urgent at the hospital in August to see a gynea. No word yet.
Im in Canada, our health care system is currently in shambles.

I highly recommend the Mirena coil @njshep . I was bleeding very heavily and had consistently low iron in spite of taking daily iron supplements. The coil has stopped my periods altogether and it's such a relief. I don't know if you can have a coil when you've got a fibroid. Your GP should be able to advise.

This happened to me when I was perimenopausal. My ferritin was 3 and I felt absolutely dreadful. My periods were almost constant. My GP prescribed industrial strength iron with vitamin C and progesterone tablets to stop the bleeding. She made an urgent referral for a mirena coil to be fitted. Within a few weeks I felt much better. Once the coil was in my periods stopped completely.
Your current "treatment" is completely inadequate.