Iron level 97, infusion needed?

[TheGirlWithTheGreyBunny]

I’m 17.5 weeks and I had my bloods took a few weeks ago when I was 12 weeks pregnant my iron was 103, they put me on iron tablets quite a high dose, my iron was checked two days ago and I just had a call saying it’s at 97 and I have to urgently get more tests done today to check my iron stores and I’m most certainly going to need a iron infusion In the hospital. What should be iron level be?

Hb of 97 isn’t an indication for iron transfusion, it should be above 110 in pregnancy. It can take a while to improve your iron level with oral tablets. Have you been taking them with orange juice to help absorption, avoiding tea when taking them and increasing iron in your diet?

They will likely check your ferritin levels and maybe considering changing the form of oral iron but it is highly unlikely you will be offered an infusion.

Are you symptomatic? (Short of breath, tachycardic, tired etc?)

Yes I do have tachycardia generally resting heart rate is 90 but when walking it goes past 160, very breathless especially with stairs or hills. Very tired needing naps daily or going to bed early and sleeping 11 hours. Iv had my iron stores checked today and I will get a call on Tuesday she said with an appointment at the hospital

Mine was 75 at delivery and I was asked if I wanted a transfusion or to try tablets. I went with tablets and iron rich food and have been taking the tablet with orange juice. I just had it retested at 2 weeks and it’s back over 100 so I’ll keep going with the tablets - midwife/gp seem happy enough with improvement.

No. Mine was 51 and I had an iron infusion. 95 was the aim to get to.

I had an iron infusion when pregnant with DD2 (16 years ago) and can't remember my levels but do remember feeling super energised afterwards.