Low Ferritin/Folate

[Jadelr]

Hi,

2 months ago my blood test showed that I have a ferritin level of 6 and folate level of 1.

my GP put me on 5mg of folic acid and 210mg ferrous fummerate however I don’t really feel any different. Can anyone advise who has been in a similar position, I feel like death warmed up and it’s getting me down. I have a 1 year old to look after and I’m struggling with how tired I feel.

thank you

Perhaps go back to your GP, who may advise other tests or referrals?

They said they will review at 3 months. I do have severe iron deficiency so maybe it will just take a while to build up

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/nov/02/why-do-i-feel-tired-iron-deficiency-symptoms-anaemia-fatique-exhaustion?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Did they find an underlying reason for the low ferritin?

@Howtoacceptheavy blood loss after having my son and heavy periods are the cause

Obviously you need to get back the iron so maybe GP, intravenous iron is a possibility maybe. Have they also suggested something like Tranexamic acid?

That level of ferritin is below the level they should be considering a transfusion! Folate level is terrible too - and will mean you aren’t absorbing any B12 from your diet, which will also be making you exhausted. A low folate level can also mask a B12 deficiency (it did to me). Have they checked your vitamin D levels?

I felt like you did when my D, B12, folate and ferritin were all extremely low - it takes a while to get levels better again.

make sure you are taking iron with vitamin C or something like a large glass of orange juice. Don’t take it at the same time as other meds.

Folic acid gets levels up surprisingly quickly, so hopefully that will improve!

She didn’t mention an infusion I just feel awful 😞 I get quite bad heart palpitations,shortness of breath etc and the tiredness is something else. They didn’t check my vitamin D. My B12 was 402 so well within normal range.

How long did it take you to feel better?

Go on Reddit, there are useful forums like r/Anemia, r/B12 Deficiency where many different issues are discussed greater depth than on here.

it takes a while for the iron to work - that's why it's normal to not retest until 3 months after starting. There is no magical number that should trigger an infusion (which does come with some risks so isn't usually the first line treatment unless there's real urgency...eg. needing to replenish stores before surgery). Quite a lot of us bumble along with iron stores that are about the same without too much problem so it may be worth considering that it's the combo of both iron and folate and fatigue from looking after a baby that are all contributing. In the meantime, if heavy periods are the likely cause then it's worth exploring ways to turn the taps off because there's no chance you'll get stores back up if you don't.

It just takes time unfortunately. I found that infusions are the only thing that worked for me after working through fumarate, sulphate, and spatone. Hopefully it's a one off and you'll be able to stay at normal levels soon.