Iron levels in pregnancy

[BuntyCollocks]

Looking for some reassurance, or pushing if I need to see someone about this.

On my midwives recommendation I had my iron levels tested this week (I'm hard to bleed so they can't do it), and got the results today. At 18 weeks my level is 13.4, which is excellent for not being pregnant, never mind nearly halfway to baby!

However, dr google (I know! I know!) says this could be a sign of haemochromatosis (too much iron in the blood), as it really should be lower at this stage. My midwife says its just a good result and to be happy.

However, the disorder, if I have it, has potentially devastating consequences for the baby. She is fine, growing perfectly and with a lovely strong heartbeat, but I am worried now.

Don't Google!

Make GP appointment for extra reassurance if you need it.

Listen to your midwife - it is a good result and don't worry about it. Looking at my maternity notes, normal range is 11.5-16.5.

Mine was 16.1 at 28 weeks with ds and it was suggested I come off the iron tablets I was on. I wasn't on any. This did drop towards the end of my pregnancy to about 13. Ds was fine.
I've just had mine done during this pregnancy at 30 weeks and again it's 16.1. Again not taking iron tablets, just the odd pregnacare a couple of times a week. Some people just have good iron stores.

I might be wrong about this, but I had the impression that what caused the problems with haemochromatosis was the actual accumulation of iron, rather than the illness itself. (A friend has it, and he just has to regularly have blood taken out, in order to keep his iron levels down).

And I'd guess that since your levels are comfortably within the 'normal' range, then it shouldn't be causing a problem, even if you do have it.

But as gardenpixies says, if you're worried then get a gp appointment - they should be able to either put your mind at rest, or do some tests to check.

If you think you do have it, then it's worth finding out - women often aren't affected by it until the menopause, since periods and pregnancy keep their iron levels down, but if your levels do go up it has potentially serious health implications.

Sounds fine to me! Right in the middle of "normal" range. Better than being too low... we have that issue here...

Thanks everyone. Have appt with doctor just to put my kind at ease, but anecdotal evidence is always brilliant!

I hope everything is fine. Mine is 11.2, at 16 weeks, down from 11.3 at about 10.
I am losing some!

I always seem to end up with less than 10 (ok, it was 7.9 with ds1) by a few weeks before giving birth and they never want me to have a home birth...I am envious of you!