Low ferritin levels

[MarkD6701]

Hi All,

Got my letter back from the haematology department saying everything was fine with my blood tests apart from low ferritin levels at 18 mcg/L which is borderline.

I just wondered if anyone else has had low ferritin levels and if there were any issues.

[jillydabrat]

Hi Mark, I too have low ferritin levels which adds to the tiredness but unfortunately they cannot treat with iron supplements. I have had a gastric bypass as well so I need a multi vitamin supplement daily and finding one that doesn't add iron has been very difficult. Other than the tiredness I have had no further problems.

[Paul42]

Hi Mark

I have had low ferritin too, mainly as a result of bleeding from varices.

When i was first poorly i was very anaemic and my ferritin was 2.

Low ferritin can cause dizziness, low concentration and just general fatigue.

I think the normal range is something like 13-450 or something like that, so you are just within normal. I do know when mine has been at that level i have been fatigued though.

Since i have been on Rux mine has slowly risen and is now around the 50 mark. I think this is a combination of not bleeding as my varices were glued and seem to be doing ok, and also the Rux keep over production of red blood cells down.

If you arent anaemic in anyway i think your consultant would be reluctant to give you iron supplements as essentialy you are in normal range from their point of view.

Paul

[Aime]

Hi Mark, yes been there a few times with low ferritin and iron levels. Try and rest as well as drinking plenty and eating foods which give you a slow but steady energy release. I do eat chocolate! However when I eat pasta, nuts, fruit, etc when fatigued because of these levels, I do have more energy!xx kindest regards Aime 😺😺

[MarkD6701]

Funnily enough, I do Parkrun which seems to help boost my energy somewhat.

[DH65]

Hi Mark,

I've had low ferritin for years yet all other iron studies are normal. If I take iron it will come up some. I am very fatigued but not sure what's from ferritin or if from HU

[beetle]

Having had multiple transfusions, I have the opposite problem with a ferritin level of 6326! Wish there was a way to donate to each of you🤔. I am about to start yet another drug added to my wheelbarrow load to try and get rid of some iron before it does too much damage. Unfortunately that drug has its cohort of side effects too. I think I am a classic case of "cascade of intervention". In the meantime I'm keeping well clear of magnet factories and had to listen to my partner and a friend discussing my scrap value!😏

[Hidden in reply to beetle]

Similar problem I'm anaemic but have high ferratin levels from transfusions - not yet needing the extra medication but like you would love t share some around x

[liarose in reply to beetle]

What medications are you on then

[MarkD6701]

Out of interest, do ferritin levels fluctuate much? Even though mine are currently low, can they go up quite a way in a short space of time, or even drop quickly?

[Paul42 in reply to MarkD6701]

Hi,

If you get put on iron supplements they can go up quickly. Considering the RDA is 14mg of iron and iron supplements are like 100mg or more and you usually take several doses a day.

Eating everyday food, even if high iron, wont make a big difference quickly.

I was told a big bleed from my varices could see them drop quickly.

I was also told if you have your bloods done and you have an infection or virus that this could give false readings too.

Paul

[harleydavidson]

Hi Mark. I too have low ferritin especially after venesections. I make sure I eat lots of green leafy vegetables, eat liver once a week and another red meat weekly. I also drink lots of water. The fatigue is always so much worse when it's low. Mel