Low Ferritin

[Catherine50]

When I went for hospital appt last fri I was told my ferritin count was 7 . Does anyone know what it should be?

[Sleepybunny]

Do you know the reference range for your area?

Reference ranges vary around the UK. In my area the reference range is 10 - 300 so in my area a result of 7 would be considered low and I hope would be treated.

If you search on your area's NHS website you may find it. If you ask for a printed copy of the result then the reference range should be included. It can be difficult and a long winded process to access hospital records. Sometimes e-mailing or writing a polite request letter to the consultant gets results. If all else fails you could put in a FOI (Freedom of Information) request. Details of how to do this will be on your NHS area's website.

If your iron is low then it will affect results on your FBC (Full Blood Count) especially MCV and MCH and haemaglobin. Having low iron can mask macrocytosis (large red blood cells) because low iron makes red blood cells smaller. Macrocytosis can be an indicator of PA/B12 defic.

Having low iron may mean any treatment with B12 is less effective because good levels of iron, folate and B12 are needed.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Sleepybunny]

I have MCV @ 99.8 and MCH @ 32.8 Haemoglobin 145 on my latest FBC

Where on the FBC are Folate levels to be found?

I have had PA for 43 years and am on four weekly Cyanocobamalin 1mg injections, one prescribed Ferrous Fumerate 210mg tablet per days and self medicate on Folic Acid 400mcg tablet each day.

I guess I have been very fortunate that my PA (which resulted from a partial gastrectomy 56 years ago) is generally well under control, apart from the need for an occasional "three week" injection - for which I had to fight my GP like mad to be "allowed" - when some of the usual PA symptoms rear their ugly heads.

I have now just been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes which is just adding to the complications of daily living at 74 years of age.

[Sleepybunny in reply to clivealive]

Hi Clive,

Do you know the reference ranges for MCV and MCH in your area? I've assumed you're in the UK. Are your injections cyanocobalamin as NHS uses hydroxycobalamin? If you have a paper copy of the FBC it should show ref. ranges next to the results.

In my area, ref. range MCV is 80-100 and for MCH 27 - 32. In my area, your MCV would be borderline high and your MCH would be high. Ref. ranges vary across UK . High MCV, High MCH can indicate the possibility of macrocytosis.

"Patient" website has good info on macrocytosis if you do a search.

I think adequate treatment of PA would tend to lower the MCV and MCH.

Folate blood test is separate to the FBC. To get maximum benefit from B12 treatment you need good levels of folate and iron.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Sleepybunny]

Hi Sleepbunny,

Thanks for your reply and yes I'm in Aylesbury in the UK.

My prescribed injections are Cytamen 1000mcg (Cyanocobalamin 1mg) every four weeks - unless I feel the need of an earlier jab - and which I've been on since May 1972.

I was put on the "Neo-Cytamen" 3 monthly cycle when they first came out many years ago but I found I couldn't cope with them and was put back on the Cytamen four weekly and have remained so since.

The ranges are as follows & much in line with yours.

MCV @ 99.8 fl - 80 to 100

MCH @ 32.8 pg -26.9 to 32

Haemoglobin 145 g/L - 130 to 181

Do you consider Folic Acid 400mcg tablet each day sufficient?

I tried reading the data on Macrocytosis on Patient UK but it was way above my head.

Do you think my recently diagnose Type 2 Diabetes is having an affect on my blood cells? My Cholesterol is OK and I'm on Statins. My height is 6 feet 4 inches and weight 12 stones 4 pounds.

I really do consider myself fortunate compared with some of the "horror stories" I read here although I do remember how wretched and ill I felt before I was finally diagnosed with PA after two Schillings Tests in the late 60s and early 70s.

Thanks for you help and advice

clivealive

[Catherine50]

Sleepy bunny ty for all that info.

im on ferrous sulphate 1 tablet 3 x day. I dont know how fast it can build up in my system though.

[Catherine50]

10 - 300 is reference range

[Marz in reply to Catherine50]

On the Thyroid UK forum it is often quoted that Ferritin needs to be around 90. I have also read that taking good doses of VitC with each iron dose aids absorption. I believe it will take at least 3 months to reach a healthier level.

Hope it soon works for you....

[Sleepybunny]

I hope your GP/consultant will monitor you closely while on iron supplements as some people have side effects.

Are they going to test your ferritin level again soon?