Low ferritin, GP has referred me to "General Medicine" Consultant - shouldn't it be an endocrinologist / haematologist/ gastroentolgist ?!

[Tima69]

Blood tests show ferritin at 17 (rang 20 -150). GP has referred me to a general medical consultant at the hospital instead of a more specific speciality. Is this,normal?

Tima

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Whilst one symptom of PA is anaemia PA isn't anaemia in the sense of being a blood disorder - it is actually one cause of a B12 deficiency and it is the B12 deficiency that causes all of the symptoms.

You refer to ferritin - this is a protein that binds iron so it can be used eg to form haemoglobin. A lot of people with PA do have anaemia - and some have problems with iron based anaemia but not all.

It sounds like you have an iron based anaemia ... in which case the referral you have sounds like a sensible one.

I note that you have posted on the thyroid forum - though haven't looked at the posts so not clear if you have thyroid problems as well. And not clear if you have ever had your B12 (and folate) levels checked and if so what were the levels there - referral to other specific specialists would be appropriate for a B12 deficiency.

[Tima69 in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks for the information, I don't have a problem with my folder or B12 levels, I was just wondering after reading so many other posts on this forum where I think people were referred to an endocrinologist for ferritin problems ? .....

[judburke]

Low Ferritin (and low iron) can be the only symptoms of Coeliac Disease for some people. Have you been supplementing and it remains low? If yes, then you might have a gut absorption problem.

[Tima69]

I've been taking ferrous fumarate for two months but my Ferritin has only risen from 17 to 32....