Low normal ferritin in pregnancy with leg cramps and restless legs

[MyUmberSheep]

Ferratin at 35.4 doctor says it's in the normal range (20-130) but as I'm 18 weeks pregnant he said it's on the lower end of normal so it's best to start a prescription. My question is has anyone else pregnant had a lower normal ferratin level and still had symptoms with nighttime leg cramps and rls. Thanks all, any experience would help x

32 weeks here and my low ferritin was only picked up 4 weeks ago because I requested it be checked. Had restless legs and cramping since the second trimester and only thing that helps even now is 2 magnesium supplements before bed.

Low magnesium? Maybe worth getting it checked if the iron tablets get your iron levels up but don’t seem to resolve the leg cramps/RLS.

Thank you. What type of magnesium supplements do you take? And did the iron not start to help?

Thank you for your reply. I have just started using a magnesium spray so I'll ask about a magnesium supplement. I started iron last night

Also, do you mind me asking what your ferratin level was? I've read to stop rls or needs to be between 50-75 or above ideally

I was exhausted at 33 weeks with terrible restless legs and cramps, asked for a test and my ferritin turned out to be 8, lol. Might as well not have had any. I ended up with an iron infusion and started feeling better 1-2 weeks later. I'm 38 weeks now, no longer breathless and I can stay awake beyond 4PM! Occasionally still get restless legs but it takes a while for the body to replenish the depleted stores. Keep an eye on it cause it can bottom out quickly. I wasn't taking any iron supplements at all, which was my own fault as I was offered but felt so dreadfully sick in first tri I couldn't face taking anything else!

You also have an increased need for magnesium in pregnancy and when low in it that causes restless legs, cramps and can cause insomnia and elevated b.p

I'm a nutritional therapist so trained in supplements. Magnesium supplements are safe , including in pregnancy, unless you have renal problems. If I hadn’t taken my Magnesium when I was pregnant I would start getting restless legs around 5pm. Avoid magnesium oxide as it's not so well absorbed (excellent for curing constipation though!) . Mg bisglycinate is good or a blend of types. The Nutrition Geeks one is pretty good for example.

Thank you so much in going to try magnesium glyinate. My midwife said 270mg. Is that elemental level?

Thank you. I'm taking a lowish prescription of iron. My ferratin is 35.4. it's so hard to know what to do!

Can I ask if you know what your HB number was and what qualified you for infusion? I’m currently 37 weeks pregnant with ferritin of 6 and am being told by consultant it’s only a bit low and I don’t meet criteria for infusion. Meanwhile I’m so breathless and shattered.. & don’t get me started on hideous restless leg! Did you feel symptoms improved once you had the infusion?

Oh gosh it's so hard to get a pathway isn't it! My HB was lowish but not that low, about 116 I think so I didn't technically meet anemic criteria either, but the midwives were great and they were the ones running the blood clinic, so when I got my results I phoned my hospital midwife helpline directly and they squeezed me in.

At your stage of pregnancy I'm surprised they're saying that, there won't be enough time for iron tablets to work before the birth and ferritin that low means your stores are completely depleted, even if your HB is still ok. But it might be because it takes a week or so to feel the benefit and there are (low) risks of reactions, they might think you're too close. I would absolutely advocate for yourself in this situation though and keep asking, ask why specifically and say you're worried tablets won't have time to work. Ask specifically what the plan is since oral tablets take weeks to work - what is the plan to protect you from exhaustion and/or blood loss during labour, and is there a post-partum plan for an infusion instead? Refer back to your symptoms and exhaustion.

My community midwife advised going direct to the hospital cause they can make things happen faster, so if you have a midwife helpline try that, or go back to your consultant directly if you have a line to them.

It does take a week or two to start feeling better but at least the iron will be in your system! I felt much better a week in, and basically normal now. I was so breathless and tired all the time, it was horrendous I felt like I was moving underwater. Really feel for you - good luck!

Thank you so much for replying and advice. I’ve been waiting for my community midwife to come back to me but that’s a good idea about phoning the triage line. I had a PPH with my first too so really worried about blood loss. My HB is 106 and apparently 105 is the cut off here for an infusion but you’re right I need to avocate more for myself! Glad to hear an infusion made such a difference to your symptoms though!

Good grief! Some of the ferritin readings on here are really low! It seems like you have to have zero ferritin before anyone takes it seriously.

Mine was 26 and I was put on iron tablets. If I stop taking them the awful restless legs come back almost immediately.

My leg cramps disappeared as soon as I started magnesium, eating banana or potassium and ensuring I have salt. You need 300mg elemental magnesium in your supplement, most are way lower. Nutrition geeks is good.

Sodifer for iron, can get on prescription or buy it.

That is absolutely bonkers, you're one pt off and your ferritin is through the floor! Do push, call triage (my community midwife is lovely but takes a week to text or email back).

It is absolutely mad how much things can vary by trust!