Iron deficiency v Vitamin D

[Philomenacunk1]

Hi,
Apologies in advance for the long post.

I’ve been struggling for a long time with low iron. I have severe fatigue and awful brain fog - I have a professional job and trying to get through the working day and focus on things is awful.

At my last blood test 6 months or so ago, my ferretin was 13. I’ve since been on iron tablets and have been careful about my diet - I’m pescatarian but try to each iron rich foods and to avoid food / drink that inhibits absorption.

I had a haematology appointment and blood tests last week as I wanted to see whether I could get an iron infusion. It’s through BUPA, not NHS so I’m sure the consultant would refer me if needed. However my ferretin levels came back at 24 this time.

The Dr now wants to look at Vitamin D instead (which has never been mentioned previously) so I guess my questions are:

1 He said that Vitamin D deficiency can cause the same type of fatigue / brain fog as iron deficiency. Has anybody else experienced this?

2 As I understand it, Ferretin is still borderline at 24 so it could be iron deficiency causing my problems? If so, the fact that it’s only risen by 11 in the last 6 months of doing everything right isn’t very encouraging!

Bit gutted today as I’d through an iron infusion would be the answer to all of my problems and it now looks as though it’s not going to happen. Has anyone paid for an iron infusion privately due to their levels not being quite low enough for NHS / insurance funding?

Thanks in advance for any help / advice.

How old are you?
Have you had B12 and thyroid checked?

Which iron are you taking?

i’m 40. Vitamin B12 and Thyroid were also tested this week but came back normal.
I’ve tried lots of iron over the years. Have been taking Ferrous Sulphate once every two days so it could be absorbed better. Consultant said this morning to try Holland & Barrett 40mg iron with Vit C so I’m going to go and buy some of that.

Iron tablets do nothing for me, I take Spatone liquid iron. There's nothing to stop you taking a vitamin D supplement. Most people are low on vitamin D.
Are you at an age where peri-menopause or menopause could be a factor?

I was put in ferrous Fumarate for low ferritin.
Id also look at perimenopause symptoms and see how many you tick off

@DelilahBucket Thanks. I’ve tried Spatone in the past but it didn’t seem to do anything unfortunately.
i don’t think I’m near peri yet - no symptoms (low iron has been going on for years) and my mum & aunts all had kids well into their mid-40s. I’ve just turned 40 so I’ve likely got a good few years yet.

You have two symptoms of peri

Hmm, like I said it’s a very long standing problem so I don’t want to go down the usual route of ascribing any women’s health problem to perimenopause. Thanks anyway.

It can take months to get ferritin back up, it's taken my dc 2 years to get normal levels and that's after very very high supplementation every day. Id keep going with the iron and take a high strength vitamin d supplement. Whats the harm?

@Slanketblanket that’s a bit more encouraging- it’s already been ages but it has moved slowly this time. I just don’t want to waste time doing the wrong this - I’ve been told by different doctors to take high strength tablets 3 x per day, once per day, once every two days, to take lower strength tablets, etc etc. Just don’t quite know what to do for the best!

It took me a good month to come out of the fatigue with Spatone. You can take two sachets a day as each one is about 30% (off the top of my head) of your RDA.

OP you need the full strength iron, Holland and barrett won't cut it.

I went from 16 to 71 in 12 weeks.

I take the iron ferrous sulphate and 1000mg of vitamin C at the same time, I don't consume ANYTHING else for 2hrs then eat and drink normally. And yes to every 48hrs.

I take mine at 5am so I can drink my coffee at 7am on the school run.

Oh and a full glass of water or you could get stomach ache.

Hi,
My RBC in normal but with low ferretin. GP said I can use normal Iron supplement from the shops. Previously used Ferrous Fumarate tablets for my Anemia. Should I go back on it? Still feel tired, maybe because of my heavy periods.