Very low ferritin levels

[midivydale]

Hi all,

I went to see my GP some time ago with severe tiredness, inability to concentrate, memory loss etc and the blood results came back with very low ferritin levels. Very low.

I have no idea what this is or what I can do myself to make it better. The results were sitting at the surgery for 6 weeks (*edited to say that it was actually longer than 6 wks) so I was unaware that there was an issue. I only found out by accident that there was a subsription waiting for me for iron tablets. I will book in for a follow up in the new year but as it is likely to take some time I was wondering if anyone has experienced this or could point me in the direction of suggested reading. saffron - are you out there? :)

Could these very low ferritin levels explain my symptoms above? When I went to the GP I felt abit silly talking about memory loss, "mind fog" etc and I think that my GP thought I suffered from depression. I explained that I did not think this was the case as I have had some experience of depression and anxiety following the birth of my son but that I felt that this was very different.

Anyway - I was just curious to find out if my symptoms could be a result of the above. It is noticable to others as my employer has raised questions over my productivity levels and forgetfulness (not like me at all) and my other half has expressed concern as well.

[Beagle]

Isn't it anaemia? i am only mildly so which manifests as feeling tired and generally run down and would imagine if you get very severely anaemic it would lead to all the symptoms you describe but the treatment would be the same, high dose of iron.

What a pity your surgery didn't let you know. I would ask the pharmacist when you fill the prescription I find pharmacists great sources of info and advice.

X

[missyelliott]

I was really anaemic with ridiculously low ferritin levels. Tried all sorts of prescription and over the counter medicines. The only one that got my levels back to normal was a herbal one called Floradix. I can't recommend it enough. Comes in tablet or liquid form. Either get it on amazon or most chemists and organic food shops. It really does work

X

[JulieP]

Ferritin is where the iron is stored in the body. Low levels can eventually cause an iron deficiency anaemia. Iron is needed to make haemoglobin in the blood and low levels of haemoglobin (your blood test would have also checked Hb levels) could cause some of the symptoms you are having. The usual treatment is iron tablets. Your GP will probably want to find out why the levels are low. It could be related to diet but often in women can be associated with heavy periods. Not aware of much reading on this but NHS choices explains it reasonably well: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Anaemia-iron-deficiency-/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Hope you feel better soon.

[sallyfran]

I had this a few years ago, with much the same symptoms. I took iron tablets as prescribed and everything got better. The doctors didn't explore potential reasons for it but the symptoms don't seem to have returned.

[sanity girl]

I had very low ferritin levels due I think to heavy periods - took ferrous sulphate tablets twice a day for a few months and levels increased a little - I'm now on the pill to deal with the heavy periods and that has helped a lot. It's cheaper to buy ferrous sulphate direct from the chemist rather than on prescription. Worth getting your vitamin d levels checked too? And I would change GP given that they failed to pass on your results to you and advise that you needed to take iron supplements!

[Ellie78]

Aww midivydale! Rubbish! Poor you.

Same as sanity girl for me. Low ferritin levels after heavy periods here too. I experienced crushing tiredness and inability to concentrate. It was so extreme I couldn't function.. Was told by GP that it was unlikely these we're caused by the above as it was 'mild' and low ferritin isn't anemia - just low iron levels ( they 2 are different things). However, a bit of research told me that was a ridiculous thing to say (iron levels are completely individual and some people need more than others) and I was transformed after taking tablets. I would also personally take liquid iron like the floravitalix - much easier on the body to absorb and won't cause constipation.

It only happened to me once - four years ago - but I do make sure to keep up supplementation if heavy period or if I'm running around like a mad thing and not eating brilliantly. Good luck.

[midivydale]

Thank you all, very helpful.

The symptoms have been rather extreme. To the point where my employer has raised questions over my productivity and forgetfulness as it is so out of character. My other half has also wondered and has been worried as this is really not like me.

I am like most working mums (ALL mums for that matter) running around like mad to fit everything in so yes I am stressed and with a non sleeping toddler (yes - Ellie he is still not sleeping...)I just simply put it down to life with a toddler. Ellie, just like you I experienced an inability to function, it is a terrible feeling.

My eating habits have suffered and I am under investigation for menorrhagia so it does make sense.

Will pay more attention to diet and get the supplements as suggested.

Thank you all

[intexasatthe moment]

Gentle iron from Health Matters on Lordship Lane are also much easier to tolerate than the iron tablets prescribed which can cause constipation .

What rubbish treatment from your GP . Anemia can make you feel awful as you've discovered .

[inthewoods]

When I take iron I normally take Spatone sachets. They are little things you can carry with you and inside is iron rich mineral water with apple juice for vitamin C. I seem to remember iron needs it for better absorbtion.

[Ellie78]

oh midivydale - STILL not? Waaaaa! We're still on the meds here - tried to come off them a few weeks ago, didn't go well at all. sleep is better, so I do not want to rock the boat at the moment.

Supplement, supplement, supplement?.and time someone gives you a bit of R & R time I think. You won't be able to get back to normal unless you get some proper rest.

Iron deficiency is a killer, I felt truly shite when this happened to me so I'm sorry you're suffering.

Can you show employer a doctors note saying what's happening -might be more sympathetic when realises how very physical/medical it is.

[Saffron]

If iron levels (ferritin) are low but in the normal range, it's just referred to as low iron. But, if iron levels are below the normal range, it's called iron deficient anaemia. Although as it's been pointed out by others, there's a lot of individual variation.

Unfortunately speaking from personal experience, low iron can definitely cause all of those symptoms, including forgetfulness and feelings of depression - because, hey, it's depressing to feel rubbish all the time! The haematology consultant at Lewisham Hospital advised that the reason for this is that iron is important for many enzyme-based functions including memory and emotions. She also advised that for severe deficiency the best treatment is high dose ferrous sulfate. You should take it with vitamin C, which increases iron absorption and reduces constipation. If you're taking long term iron, you should also have your calcium levels checked since iron and calcium compete for absorption. If you need to take calcium supplements too, leave a 2-4 gap between taking iron then calcium.

If you find ferrous sulphate too hard on the digestion, try ferrous gluconate. It's a lower iron formulation but is better tolerated on sensitive stomachs.

Iron stores can take a long time to replenish, so you may need to take supplements for several months before your ferritin returns to normal levels.

Sometimes the cause of low iron is relatively straightforward. If that's not the case, and you continue to struggle with low ferritin levels, you should be referred to a specialist for further investigation. Xx

[Undiscovered]

Another vote for Spatone. I had low levels during my first pregnancy and hated the tablets. I'm also a veggie, and now and again take Spatone when I get a little tired. A bit more random, I also cook in cast iron pots (like Le Cruset although mine are Sainsburys) because allegedly this can increase iron content of your food.

As Saffron says, iron deficiency can have significant effects on how you feel, more than I'd ever imagined. I hope that this solves the issues you are facing, it sounds horrible. Good luck xx

[midivydale]

Thank you all, it is very helpful! From what I remember normal ferritin levels were 150-12. Mine was below 12. I understand that people within the normal range can feel pretty rubbish so I guess it is not surprising that I have not felt great.

[spanners45]

Hi midivydale, sorry to hear you've been under the weather. I have been taking Ferrous Fumarate for two weeks now as I was also told my ferretin levels were rather abnormal. According to my GP and midwife (due number 3 today) the normal range is between 20 and 200. Mine was 7 and they were shocked. There are many causes but the usual treatment, at least to get started, is a high dose of ferrous sulfate. I am taking them twice a day but they said that might increase to three times a day after the baby comes as iron reserves will also suffer somewhat with labour.

I am not aware of anything other than taking the supplements that can be done to restore the ferritin levels but I'll be paying close attention to this thread.

Best of luck Midivydale!

[Saffron]

Ferritin is a protein which binds iron in the body, and releases it as required. It's used as a measure of iron storage, and 'ferritin level' and 'iron level' are often used interchangeably. Ferritin levels for women are generally stated to be in the range 15-200 micrograms per litre of blood, 12-150 or 20-200 sound pretty similar to me. It's a continuum, not a strict measure.

Blood serum iron levels can also be measured directly, a measure of 'free' iron in the blood. However, I think this test might be more prone to variation depending on test conditions. So I think unless other diagnostic results suggested that ferritin testing might be insufficient, blood iron levels wouldn't necessarily be measured directly.

[aysh]

Hi,

Have you tried bone broth, takes a long time but really good for your iron level! Also do check your ph level, but dont go into eating too much meat but get it from veggie options! If you drink bone borth you dont need as much meat anyway! Good luck and hope you feel better soon x

[AllyMcB]

Hi

I am 19 weeks pregnant and your symptoms were exactly the same as mine when I went to an ante-natal appointment last week. I have just been given the results of my blood tests and my ferritin level is 5 !!!

I asked the lady on the Maternity helpline what I should do and she has told me to ask my GP to prescribe Ferrous sulphate and I need to take 2 x 200mg a day. Reading what others have posted, I am also now aware this may be hard on my system so the spatone and floradix recommendations may come in useful for me too.

I hope you are feeling better soon as it is awful to feel so rubbish.

[midivydale]

Sorry to hear this Ally, yup it is terrible. Mine are 5 (!) too and I think it has been like this for a rather long time (am in the process of trying to establish how long and have reported my experience with PALS). It is a shame as it seems that it could have been easily sorted out with the help of supplements a long time ago.

Anyway, upwards and onwards -New Year and all that. Hoping that we both feel better with the supplements. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.