I am 41 and have had on off low Iron for several years. In 2019 my Ferritin was 5 ug/L which I know is really quite low. I got it up to 23 ug/L through diet and using Spatone at the time. At that time I was well and healthy and was having heavy periods but they were regular and 5 days.
Fast forward to now, I am 41, periods are heavier and lasting sometimes 12 days (5-7 days heavy the rest is lighter). By heavy I mean really heavy because I have Adenomyosis. Last blood tests 2 months ago showed it was back at 7 ug/L. Also incredibly painful.
I eat red meat 3 x a week minimum and i eat with vitamin C plus spinach and broccoli.
I am exhausted, I have headache all the time for the week after my period just behind my eyes. I assume this is related to low iron? I sleep well but now am developing other symptoms such as weird rashes on my leg, sore mouth, hair is falling out, itchy scalp plus the exhaustion.
I had long covid for ages and I have gotten so used to being tired from that I almost thing now I am confusing that with what is likely low iron / anaemia.
What I want to know is if anyone has been offered an iron transfusion and if it has helped? My GP has not been that helpful. She gave me ferrous sulphate tablets and they make me feel unwell, I think I am actually allergic as my mouth reacts to them and i get intense stomach pain. I am back taking spatone but i don't think it's enough. Not sure what else to do as my periods are so heavy I can't see how I can get on top of the problem and i assume it is only going to get worse with peri / menopause.
Has anyone been in this situation and had help from the NHS, if so what? Or been seen privately to good effect? I have been referred for the adenomyosis but they said I will wait approx 12-18 months to be seen.