Low Ferritin 28 weeks

[Simbaxox]

Hi guys, first time poster but long time lurker here. Just looking for some advice really regarding my ferritin level.

Had my routine bloods done yesterday at my 28 week midwife appointment and she's just called to say that my iron stores are low so they'd like me to take iron tablets once a day with fresh orange.

I asked if they were very low and she said no but after looking up my results on my pregnancy notes I can see that my ferritin level is actually 7 which I'm reading is apparently very, very low.

My hemoglobin has also dropped from 129g/l at my booking appointment to 112g/l yesterday, not sure whether this also an issue as she didn't mention it.

I do have health anxiety so that's probably why I'm feeling so concerned by these results. Just wondering if anyone experienced the same really or if I should be worried.

It’s really common for iron/ferritin to plummet during pregnancy. I wouldn’t worry too much, just take the tablets, try and increase dietary iron and ask for it to be checked again around 34-36 wks.

Ferritin is your iron stores. It's nothing to worry about, take the tablets.
My ferritin has been 2 before and the tablets sorted it.

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm definitely going to take the tablets. Just a worry reading people say that I should be getting an iron infusion when my midwife didn't seem all that concerned.

Does anyone have any idea if my hemoglobin is still at a decent level as midwife never mentioned it.

I think they like it above 120 but 112 isn't too bad. Definitely not transfusion level.

That's good to hear at least. Just freaked out as my serum ferritin seems to have been 64 at booking so for it to have dropped to 7 seems quite dramatic.

I think iron infusions are recommended once Hb drops below a certain point, it's not based on Ferritin. But you can ask your midwife for the local guidelines on this.

Agree this is something normal within pregnancy and nothing to be overly concerned about.

I've had years of low ferritin on and off. They do drop and rise dramatically, whereas Hb tends to drop more steadily. I remember one time they were 11, after 3 months 21 then after another 3 months 117.

I appreciate all your comments, I know I must sound ridiculous but as I've had some issues with my bowels since before pregnancy (which I have been convinced was cancer due to my health anxiety) finding out my ferritin is so low has made me have a bit of a wobble.

At my 20 week blood test my iron levels were borderline. Have my 28 week blood tests in 2 weeks and if they have lowered I also need to go onto an iron supplement. Your HB is low because your iron levels are low. Once your iron levels up so will your haemoglobin.

I suffer with health anxiety and it's awful so totally get how you're feeling.

Spoken to my midwife again and she said my HB is fine and it's just my ferritin we need to raise. She said to take the tablets and we'll retest at 34 weeks so here's hoping everything goes back up.

Having health anxiety and being pregnant has been such a stress 😂

I had a ferritin level of 5. My GP said to take a one a day tablet to bring it up a bit but not to worry at all as that is iron stores, whereas it's the circulating iron that's more important, and that was fine.

Try not to worry OP. I had a blood test at 36 weeks and my ferritin was also 7 and Hb levels were 109. The consultant didn’t even acknowledge it as a concern! I’m now 39 weeks and all ok!

120 is the level for normal people (i.e. you probably won't be allowed to donate if your level is lower than that) for pregnancy they don't think there's an issue unless it goes under 110.

Personally, I really notice when mine drops under 120. If you're symptomatic then you should speak to a GP about iron tablets.

Thanks for all your replies guys, it's definitely made me feel alot better to know this is normal. Hoping I'll start the tablets and things will go back to normal again.

Did the tablets work?