I am hoping someone can give some insight to my blood test. You have to click pic to see whole report.
I have several different doctors reading it differently from each other which is confusing me. My previous iron test showed iron at 12 and my Gastro said it should be much higher so she put me on iron pills. Unfortunately the pills caused bad nausea and cramping so I had to stop taking them.
This is my newest blood test and my iron is 8 and Gastro says my numbers here are fine.
Can anyone give insight?
I’m not the greatest at maths.
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Hobbits
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It all depends on your doctor. My readings are always around 9 to 11. Some doctors make an issue of it other say that’s just you keep eating green vegetables 🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️
I’m confused as to why different doctors ‘read’ the exact same blood test, but interpret it so different?
My iron was ‘not’ ok when it was at 12.
Now it’s ‘ok’ when it’s at 8.
When my iron was at 12, I was told by my Gastroenterologist that for me the number should be over 100 given my chronic health issues RA, Crohns and Endometriosis and Psoriasis.
My Rheumatoligist told me it should be in the 50’s
My Dermatologist told me, my Gastro was correct and mine should be over 100. She said she also has health issues and hers also needs to be over 100
My PCP said my iron was fine.
My Gastro who actually did the test ( my tests are shared among my whole health team) Told me iron at 12 is too low and several months later she is saying my new test at 8 is fine.
Are you suffering with tiredness? All my life I’ve been on low side for iron and my liver readings are on the high side and I’ve been told as the are consistent so that is just the way I am. I wish I could help. Maybe write to your rheumatologist to clarify things .....
Yes, the reason I was tested for iron in the first place was because I had Shortness of Breath, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, burning in feet and then hands, dizziness, my blood wouldn’t clot after blood tests, my hand started bleeding under the skin, then it came through skin and everything I touched got bloody, my finger nails lifted off the nailbeds. I also developed what my dermatologist thinks is hand and foot psoriasis ( I lost most of the layers of skin on my hands and feet) The Gastro who told me to take iron said she will give an iron infusion if I can’t tolerate the pills, which I could not. They retested my iron a few months later and my iron is even lower and now the same doctor who said she would give infusion is saying my iron is fine.
Honestly my head just swirls in confusion to be told one thing at one appointment and then the opposite.
The first appt I was actually in office with my Gastro. When my iron was retested at 8 it was my gastros nurse who called and said my iron is fine.
I asked her if the doctor knows my iron is at 8 and she said yes, the doctor said your iron is fine.
when my PCP saw my iron at 12 and said it was fine and thought it was my heart that was giving me all the symptoms and ordered very expensive heart tests using isotopes dye to take images of my heart needlessly, 48hr holster and treadmill stress test.
Bloody hell!!! This is not right I think you need a second opinion. I honestly wouldn’t leave this till your next appointment. If still suffering from shortness of breath take yourself to A&E. I would also get everything put down on paper send an email to the nurse asking to confirm everything don’t just take her word for it. If this was me I would be worried (I don’t mean to scare you) I would want answers. Good luck
I recently had to go on ferrous sulphate as my ferritin levels had dropped. I was beyond tired all the time. They have dropped since a virus at Christmas. Most of my full blood count has been out of range and nothing done by my GP or rheumy, until one of the doctors at my surgery decided to have my ferritin, folic acid and B12 tested. I already have B12 injections and take folic acid. The last two were spoilt by the lab, however the ferritin levels were 19.5 the range 33-400 so not sure how that works out with your numbers. I only take one 200mg every other day to avoid as much of the side effects as possible.. I started them in July, the difference in energy is so much better. Tested this week shows ferritin levels at 38 so still going to carry on with them for a while longer. I have always had problems with my iron levels, but did improve when I went on B12 injections. With all your other health problems, have you thought of taking a stomach kind iron supplement. They aren’t particularly cheap so you might be better with an iron infusion. All the best.x
I give myself Intramuscular injection of B12 in my deltoid once a month as directed by my PCP as due to my Crohns I do not absorb certain vitamins and minerals. I also have to take 5,000IU of vitamin D sublingually, the high dose is because most of it is not absorbed.
I can not get enough iron from food, my diet is iron rich but for some reason my body doesn’t absorb it very well during digestion.
I do not take folic acid anymore since coming off Methotrexate and starting biologics.
I have tried everything to get the iron pill in, disguised in food and as recommended by Gastro nurse to dissolve it in water and drink it. The result sends me into a Crohns flare and ended up on bathroom floor in front of the toilet with unbearable cramps.
I have tried two different types of oral iron. One was a liquid syrup which was about 40.00 with tax and the other very expensive capsules, Ferimax 125 was about 80.00 with tax.
It sounds like so many of us issues with our iron.
Thank you so much for responding, it really helps me figure things out. 🤗
Unfortunately with your Crohns, I would image medications and supplements are an issue. I do really sympathise with you. I have Hasimotos, an AI thyroid condition, which also seems to stop me absorbing all the nutriments from my diet. I have had RD for 34 years. I used to take Azathioprine, was changed to methotrexate 3 years ago, I also have Humira injections. I was dx with folate deficiency many years ago, also low calcium/ vit D. It would depend on the way labs measure the numbers, as many years ago, my blood iron went down to 6 and my doctor decided it was reasonable only when it reached 11. I would definitely be chasing for an iron infusion when your count is soo low and all those dreadful conditions you have. You have more than enough to contend with. Take care. X
If your nails are lifting off the nail beds, then that is a significant sign of psoriatic arthritis. I have it and my iron is low most of the time. I think you certainly need an second opinion to get it all straightened out. Low iron makes you extremely fatigued as well as RA and Psoriatic arthritis. I hope you get the answers you need, if you have psoriasis, then you most likely have psoriatic arthritis and possibly RA as well. Prayers you get answers and start to get relief soon.
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