Ferritin levels / haemoglobin levels low

[Silverfoxlady]

Hi all,

My ferritin levels are 14.4ug/L and haemoglobin levels are 105g/L. On the internet the ferritin levels show iron deficiency if under 30 (https://b-s-h.org.uk/media/2891/uk_guidelines_iron_deficiency_in_pregnancy.pdf), but the hospital I am with says it has to be under 10 to get any iron tablets.

The 111 doctor I spoke to said she is sticking to the hospital figures, and not recommending iron tablets. I can’t get a doctor’s appointment for two more weeks.

I am feeling so tired all the time (fall asleep on the sofa after working at school and crawl into bed at 8pm), my memory has gone, and palpitations are getting worse, would be it awful to just take high dose iron from the internet??

Does anyone have any experience of this?

When I was last pg I used a lucky iron fish ingot- sounds crazy but you can either make 'iron water' or just drop it in your cooking. It's much gentler on your stomach than iron tabs (no constipation etc) and there's lots of research on their website. It took me from having low iron levels to well into the high end of normal! It's a bit expensive but lasts years and years. Might be worth looking into?

Hiya! Those levels are low - the NHS guidelines for anemia are on the floor, so don't let them make you think you should feel normal and spritely! You won't!

You can buy a lot of iron supplements OTC so I strongly recommended going to a good pharmacy and getting their advice. The pill form can be tougher on the tummy (ferrous fumerate/sulphate) but the good news is they now recommend you should only take one a day. There's also liquid iron, which isn't as strong but as bit more palatable I hear.

But please get some pharmacy advice first - and don't feel guilty about being proactive in your health. x

Definitely get over the counter iron supplements. My hospital gives out iron at 105 after the birth, but I suspect policies vary.

Spatone is great iron water, not cheap but way to take each day and add to a glass of orange juice. (OJ helps to absorb iron!) Oh and avoid milk around the same time too, as that prevents absorption. Made a big difference for me in my last pregnancy, I took 1-2 sachets almost every day. Not cheap, but worth but if you can afford it and struggle with constipation.

Thanks you all for the replies,

Lau2109 - I have never heard of this before! How unusual, and worth trying when I have been pretty much a vegetarian since pregnancy (not stomaching much still at 23 weeks).

MissKittyFantastico84 - So right about the figures, just thinking how terrible I would feel if it were even lower. Would I even get out of bed for work? I am chasing pre-schoolers all day, so I need the energy. Funny, I have been taking liquid iron for the whole pregnancy (as well as pregnacare) and it is still low. I will speak to the pharmacist and get their opinion.

MrsTrue - This looks promising, if the iron tablets upset my stomach I think I will be going for this. Thanks for the suggestion, it has good reviews.

Our health board has started given iron supplements to all pregnant people as it’s easier to prevent than to cure! Have you spoken to your midwife rather then a doctor?

Op a midwife recommended these.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vitality-Bioresearch-Iron-Bisglycinate/dp/B08SKKL9TS

The improved my ferritin levels far quicker than the prescription ones did without the awful constipation.

I’ve just had iron prescribed because my Ferritin levels are 32. My midwife said 40 is the cut off here, and I’m on the FLOOR with exhaustion so you must be really struggling.

and my circulatory iron levels are normal, 120 or 130 I think.

Can I just suggest in meantime, SPATONE poured into a glass of orange juice - you’ll need 3 sachets to get 100% of your RDA while pregnant I believe. It says it on the box. It’s just natural mineral water from Wales that’s high in iron.

I’ve been taking it this week as the GP/pharmacy messed up my prescription, and I don’t know if it’s psychological but after a bit, I started to feel like I had more energy. Like my body really needed it!

I also had a steak on Valentine’s Day and felt the same 😜

Get some iron tablets, keep up with the folic acid and use a vitamin C to help you absorb it.

My ferritin is 3.4 and Heam is 102 but it's not low enough apparently.

I have coeliacs so I am not absorbing much as my gut is still in repair stage. It's like they want us to clog up the system and konk out 🙄

Have you had your B12 and D3 tested

The data I had from the labs states below 20 is low. I have always had 22/24 and that is classed normal according to the lab information.
I was put on Iron supplements as it was on the lower end. P.s did jack all. I still became anemic severely post partum. And took over 16months to get back up to "normal" levels.

I take spatone every day and it's been life changing - I have so much more energy and a much more positive outlook on life. I think I've been low in iron my entire adult life due to heavy periods.

Yes if below 30 and your having palpitations you need iron. Honestly you'll feel so much better within days. I'd ask your midwife to prescribe you iron. Tell them your having palpitations and are light headed etc they should just give you the tablets.

I’ve been having this issue too recently, my ferritin is 13 down from 35 when tested at 8 weeks but haemoglobin is 11.6 so technically
my midwife says I’m not anaemic. I’ve been wondering if its safe for me to take an OTC iron supplement regardless so this thread has good advice!

You can buy ferrous sulphate/ ferrous funerate 200mg over the counter. I find my stomach tolerates taking one a day better than two (and still seems to work fine). Costs about £3.

*fumerate