Ferritin levels

[muppahuppapuppa]

Hi

I had a blood test in November which suggested Ferritin of 31 and haemoglobin of 149. To increase my ferritin I have been taking iron and had a test last week and my ferritin is now 26 ! I have a follow up with GP this week however, last time she suggested my levels are ok.

To support the tablets I have been eating more green vegetables (spinach, kale etc).

The tablets are iron bisglycinate (42mg)

The reason I want to increase the levels are hair thinning.

For info, I am in my fifties and no longer have periods.

Please, does anyone have insight as to how to overcome this? 😊

Do you take vit C with the tablets? That helps absorption. Also you should avoid caffeinated drinks with them, and dairy.

Thats probably too low a dose to do much tbh. Definitely take with a vitamin c tablet, it should help.

I think they contain Vit C

I had low ferritin for years and eating the correct diet to improve it made no difference. Later on l got anaemic. Google Coeliac disease and hair loss. It turned out l had it, perhaps you need to rule it out.

How were you diagnosed?

I assume this was part of a full blood test?

You need prescription iron i think OP. I was at 25 last summer and now about 80 ish after taking a nightly ferrous fumarate. My GP was more than happy to prescribe it and its now on as a repeat prescription. And it has improved my hair a bit so far

Any side effects?

My ferritin was 26, I’m prescribed 210mg Ferrous Fumarate tablets. GP told me to eat an orange with the tablet and avoid dairy at the same time. Slowly my ferritin is rising but it’s taking months.

Iron can make you constipated.

There is a liquid you can buy from the chemists. It’s quite expensive but easier on the stomach. I have crazy high ferritin but my nan has low and the prescription tablets really upset her so she tried this liquid and it really helped. It’s feriglobin or similar… chemist will know.

No fortunately not, but I take them just before I go to bed because I got in the habit of it at the beginning just incase they made me have a bad stomach. I knew they were working after a few weeks when my hands and fleet stopped being so cold! Im on the 210mg

Thank you 😊

You need a blood test, but it's usually a separate one.

Low iron can cause hairloss - coeliac can also affect iron absorption, which is why I was tested for it (coeliac sister and aunt, but I am merely prone to anaemia.)

Did you have other symptoms?

Mostly because I'm a regular blood donor and every now and then, I get rejected for low iron, and sometimes, it's been low enough to get me referred to the GP. I'm often tired, but then crap sleep and so on will do that, too.

You can buy the prescription strength iron over the counter at the chemist for about the same price as a prescription. Ferrous fumerate is the best. Aim to get your levels to 70 to help with hair loss. It took me 18 months to get from 13 to 45.

If it’s hair loss you are worried about it’s probably menopausal. Just buy some Minoxidil from Amazon - it’s the only thing medically proven to work.

You either aren't taking enough iron to account for losses or aren't absorbing it.

Try a prescription strength iron supplement. One a day, ideally on empty stomach and a few hours seperate to caffeine.

If it makes you feel nauseous try taking with a little food or every other day until you get used to it. Plenty of fibre and water to avoid constipation and use laxatives if needed.

https://www.simplymedsonline.co.uk/vitamins-and-supplements/ferrous-fumerate-210mg

Push for investigation of other causes of blood loss (as periods can be ruled out) or tests to determine if there's a cause for low absorption (coeliac is for example). This is a useful summary to check GP is on the right track.

www.ruh.nhs.uk/pathology/documents/clinical_guidelines/HAEM_Ferritin_a_guide_for_GPs.pdf?t=

Thank you 😊

You could pay for a private ferrinject infusion…?

Coeliac diagnosis is first indicated by a special blood test that is not usually included in blood tests that the GP routinely requests. It has to be thought of by the GP as a possible cause of the problem. (And in my experience with relatives experiences they don't always think of it)
I had no other symptoms but my GP asked for the test. I was in my fifties too. It came back positive. My anaemia and ferritin were soon fine after going gluten free.
It may well not be the cause of your problem but it may be worth requesting the test if nothing else works or you are having other blood tests taken.

I forgot to say, my ferritin was low for many years with haemoglobin level fine, like your is, it took time before before l got anaemic

My adult dd has low ferritin and she was offered celiac test as part of general testing by gp im pleased to say. And intrinsic factor for vitamin b12 absorption. So maybe it’s becoming more common? Anyway she was negative for both.

Thank you everyone

I am seeing the GP tomorrow and wonder what will be said ☹️

I had changed diet and have taken the iron tablets mentioned and it has gone down ☹️

I guess I am worried about the fumerate version fearing stomach upset and constipation 🥹

I will see if they tested for Coeliacs

Have been following as I'm in the same boat. How did you get on?