I've been feeling pretty cack for last couple of weeks. I had bloods done last Friday . I checked them on line and my iron levels are 8. Isn't that rather low? Do I need to check about iron supplements?
I do already take spa tone with fresh OJ. I also eat loads of leafy veg etc.
Hello Nettac, Regarding iron supplementation; beware!!Excess iron in the diet is associated with heart attacks, far more significant than cholesterol intake that people seem to know about. This is not a tabloid-alarmist head-line, it is proven studies from America, followed by further research in Japan. If one is genuinely low in iron then maybe a supplement is acceptable but as I said Beware! There is not enough space to explain the evidence but it is established by the research and isavailable on the biggest on-line library of medical research based in Washington.
Yes ,looks as if your iron is low.....suggest you talk to your g p. It's important that any treatment is monitored and recorded. It can indeed make you feel tired.
Hi Nettac, from my experience I was told that your doctor will look at a number of other tests to determine what kind of anemia you have. They may have already done Red and white blood cell count, Hemoglobin, Hematicrit, etc to determine this for you but the whole test panel helps them figure out what's up. They will either suggests iron supplements, shots, one time infusion or possibly B12. 8 is rather low but I wouldn't just start taking pills before they find out what the reason is behind it so they can sort out what's best for you.
Lucy
Thank you.
I already take spa tone mixed with OJ, so surprised I'm iron deficient. Though I had a really swollen inflamed knee at the same time. I wonder if inflammation has set it off?
Everythinf else ok, apart from slightly off mark transferin aturation. Though I had an intramuscular steroid shot a few weeks ago, so I'd expect bloods to be okish.
This may help you wrap your head around the ins and outs of anemia and RA. You said all other tests checked out ok? I would be a bit surprised that your RBC isn’t a little lower than normal too. Perhaps it would be a good idea to discuss your results with you gp?
My doc used to get me to take supplements if my RBC dropped below 10. As soon as my RA got under control so did the RBC. Mine hovered around 10 most of the time when my meds didn't hold the RA. Yes I totally agree that you should ask the recommendation of the rheumy/doc re which iron supplements. I used to get a lot of stomach upsets on ferrous gluconate and begged to stop them if I promised to really up my iron rich foods. I did and my RBC went up between 11 and 12 which is where it is these days too.
Are you living in the UK.
If you are this result is low and borderline for a blood transfusion.
However in the area I live they HB levels are measured g/London normal for female 115-165 (11.5-16.5)
male 130-not sure of the upper range.
With both both sex you would be low.
Hope this helps.
Hia
My doc told me the normal range is very wide. The low end of normal is 15 top end is 150, I'm in the UK.
When mine was 13 he gave me 200mg ferrous sulphate to take daily, took months for it to go up.
D
Yes I'm in UK.
I just rang doc and spoke to receptionist. She says doc wsnts me to pop in. The next appointment is in a month!
In the mean time I'll just up dietary iron rich foods. Hopefully I won't keel over.
Iron supplement 
IRON DEFICIENT ANAEMIA AND RA
Very low iron at same time as previously controlled rheumatoid arthritis is now very much out of control. 
Iron Deficiency
Low iron and PPIs
