Hope someone can advise

[RoxyPoxy]

I had a blood test recently and my iron levels were technically normal, though my ferritin is 33 (13-150). I have been experiencing all the symptoms of anaemia but my doctor sent me out of his office declaring that with these results there's no way I can have any type of anaemia. Is this correct? Many thanks.

[illnesswhatillness]

Your doctor sounds like they have a brownie badge in medicine - don`t believe a word ! You don`t have to have a low haemoglobin to have pernicious anaemia and if they only sent you for a ferritin test , you won`t know what iron is circulating or how much is saturated into your tissues or if your transferrin receptors are hunting iron in your circulation . Get some active b12 ( methylcobalamin - just google it ) Add in some blackstrap molasses - a couple of t-spoons per day should do it . Eat raw cabbage and kale on a regular basis . Make some juice from beetroot ( this contains trimethylglycine which helps you to get rid of homocysteine which will build up in your system when b12 levels are low ) Having a normal b12 serum level does not mean you haven`t got a deficiency by the way . The normal b12 serum levels have been set unusually low in the UK compared to medically modern countries who have set the levels much higher . Get some lecithin , which is a good source of choline ( any good health food shop will have it ) . Take some coq10 which will help to keep your heart healthy and helps with digestion . Some Japanese seaweeds are good sources of viatmin b12 . Throw in some omega 3 and in a few weeks , you should notice the difference . Good Wishes , Illnesswhatillness

[rusholme in reply to illnesswhatillness]

Can you just eat cooked beetroot instead of juicing it??

[Laura5]

Your doctor is correct that you don't have anaemia. That doesn't mean that your symptoms aren't real. He's ruled out anaemia - he should now try to find out what is wrong with you!

Having said that, there is evidence that you can have fatigue with low iron even without anaemia so you could try taking some iron - you can buy it over the counter. Ask for ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate. If you do this though you should get your ferritin checked regularly because too much iron can be dangerous.

What are your symptoms? What are your B12 and folate levels? Have you had your thyroid hormones checked?