Ferritin

[Quigley2005]

Hi guys. Quick ferritin question. My level is 24 (15-200). In range I know but would I feel more alive if I took ferrous enumerate for a while? Currently SI b12 twice a week as was low at 115 and folate is in middle of range at 9.

[Saya85]

Hiya

(You could up your folate to get to upper third of range also to maximise b12 use too I believe )

But to answer your Q re:iron

Yes you would most likely feel a lot better increasing it! Depends on your symptoms too but many of us feel better with ferritin 70-100

My results were similar to yours for 18mlnths and j was told its normal despite having severe deficiency symptoms

2months after supplementing with spatone my ferritjn was up to 90

My hair stopped falling out, I felt less fatigued and no dizzy spells /lightheadedness

Restless legs also severely reduced and breathing better

Good luck

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to Saya85]

Saya85 / Quigley2005 for clarification...folate is fine in the middle of the range and doesn't need to be in the upper third...neither does it need to be in the upper third to 'maximise B12 use'. It's also worth noting that over-supplementing with folate and pushing levels too high can a) cause side effects and b) recent research indicates that consistent over-supplementation with folate can be neuro-toxic.

Quigley2005. your ferritin levels are towards the lower end of the reference range - but some people will be fine with that. And an infection can temporarily lower ferritin. Should you take iron supplements - not really for me / us to say (no idea of your full medical history or true iron status).

Ferritin is only one marker of iron deficiency aneamia and when other underlying health conditions and / or chronic disease is present, there may be other issues at play which cause ferritin to be low but other iron markers to be high.

It's also possible to have something called 'false anaemia' - low ferritin levels but no anaemia and appropriate levels of iron in terms of true iron status. If this is the case, then supplementing with iron is not a good idea (can cause iron overload and this is very dangerous). A full iron panel is required to assess true iron status - though your GP would be unlikely to do this with a ferritin level of 24 🤔.

Here's a link to more information about iron:

irondisorders.org/recommend...

I have trouble keeping ferritin levels up so take Gentle Iron (Iron Bisglycinate) 20mg daily...this is enough to keep me from becoming anaemic (but I had a full iron panel to check true iron status first and also keep a periodic eye on ferritin levels to ensure no over-supplementation).

We would always advise consulting a GP before commencing on iron supplements (most especially if considering high doses). Or,perhaps talk to a pharmacist first?

Sorry it doesn't directly answer your question, but iron's a tricky thing!

👍

[Quigley2005 in reply to Foggyme]

My in is 12.7. Mcv mch all normal so not anaemia as such. Feel like I need a boost. Got the tablets from over the counter so can't be dangerous can it? Also I work at gps surgery so would make sense to ask them I suppose x

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to Quigley2005]

Quigley2005

“Got the tablets from over the counter so can't be dangerous can it"

All depends: what dose, current medical history, how long you take them...and whether or not you need them!

So, unfortunately, under certain circumstances, yes they could be dangerous.

Suggest you consult with your own GP (person who knows your full medical history).

[dianewilson1900 in reply to Foggyme]

No problem Deep

[MiniMum97]

You can have symptoms similar to Anaemia from having ferritin below 50.

As other poster has said though you should check full iron status before supplementing as its possible to have low ferritin and high serum iron for example.

I know I feel terrible when my ferritin is as low as yours so worth investigating further and supplementing if serum iron is not high.

You also need to be checked to ensure you don’t actually have Anaemia which can be established from a full blood count.

[Marz]

Eating 200 g of liver weekly should raise Ferritin safely. 😊 Black Pudding - chopped and sauteed with mushrooms in an omelette is scrummy too !