Low iron levels with a heart condition

[LucyBoo21]

Pre heart condition (pre 2021) my iron levels had always been really good (around 140 ug/L) but since then they've dropped massively (currently 32 ug/L).

To make matters worse, I unfortunately had a bowel bleed in February 2023 resulting in need a blood transfusion. I was put on ferrous sulphate for 3 months and at the end of the 3 months I started to feel really good and finally my hair stopped falling out.

Those tablets were stopped and over 2 months I started to decline again. I have just had a months higher dose of ferrous sulphate but still my ferrtin is only 32ug/L. My haemoglobin is currently ok at 140 g/L although some of my other FBC results were outside the normal range.

Has anyone else experienced this low iron? Will I need iron tablets forever?

I think my periods play a part in this as I'm still on dual blood thinners so they're ridiculously heavy.

I have a GP appointment on 01/11/23 and a review with my cardiologist mid November so will discuss it them but just like to know if this is normal.

[10gingercats]

When my ferritin was found to be low and other blood components not brilliant during a routine test I was given an iron infusion.In my case this was done at the gerentology dept in local hospital..I had been referred to them for other problems by my gp but while they had me there they checked up on everything! The infusion worked well and no further top ups were needed but they would have given me another if the infusion had not worked well. Maybe ask about this possiblity as one of your options?

[LucyBoo21 in reply to 10gingercats]

Thank you, yes I will ask 🙂

[Paula233]

Hi.After my HA and all the associated meds, my periods became really heavy and on one occasion carried on for 3 weeks. My iron dropped really low so put on tablets. I stayed on the tablets for about 6 months. During the next 6 months my periods settled back down to normal (my thinking was that my body needed time to adjust to the blood thinners). My iron levels then became more stable. I'm now off the iron tablets.