Low iron

[Blueazul]

My ferritine was 59ug/dl 2 weeks ago. I have been having my periods for 5 days every 28 days for years. My doc gave me iron supplement once a day. I have been taking it for 2 weeks. I took a blood test 2 days ago and the results showed my iron is low.. 47ug/dl. How is it possible if I am taking 2 weeks of iron supplement???? I have never taking supplements before imn my life. Now I have been taking b12 and iron ....So, have been taking 300mcg of b12. Metyl for 2 weeks as well.. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT B12 supplement is depleting my iron? Sorry my english. I am from Brazil.

[Nackapan]

It takes time to raise iron levels.

I thought b12 injections were depleting iRon too. I think and am told on here that if you have trouble absorbing b13 you may well have problems absorbing iron.

[Blueazul in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you for responding my answer. Anyway I am still not sure if I can take b12 supplement with Iron supplement since my iron is low. My b12 is not that low. It is 417ug/dl.

[Nackapan in reply to Blueazul]

I have both . B12 injections and anot iron supplement.

If your b12 in range are you having defiency symptoms?

[Blueazul in reply to Nackapan]

In december 2017 to february 2018 my b 12 was low (228) and I started to get some symptons related to b12 deficiency. I got some supplements like 25mcg a day ( it is a low number but in my case it resolved ) and in 2 months I was fine again (457). My iron was always not so high because I have moderate periods in my entire life since 13 years old. Even that, the docs have never given me iron supplements in my whole life until this november 2019 when a doc decided to give me some. The problem is at the same time I have taken b12 300 mcg a day with 100mg of iron. Now for 14 days..The iron was prescribed by the doctor but the b12 I just decided to take without doc advise. I have been taken both for 14 day s.. and in between I had my period for 7 days and I went to a blood test which my b12 improved from 355 to 417 and my iron went down from 59 to 47 which I got worried since I have taken iron supplement for 14 days. So, I decided today to stop taking b12. I just continue taking iron ( NEUTROFER) I just heard that iron takes time to go up because I have moderate period every 28 days. So, I am not sure if it is about my period, b12 supplement or something else.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

B12 supplement won't have any effect on your iron status.

There are two things that will cause iron deficiency - excessive bleeding or an absorption problem.

This forum isn't actually about iron deficiency - or even really about anaemia but it is abouta specific auto-immune disorder which attacks the mechanism that allows you to absorb B12.

One effect of the B12 deficiency that results is a specific type of anaemia in which red blood cells are larger and rounder than normal.

Iron deficiency leads to a type of anaemia in which your cells are smaller than normal.

The effects of PA can also affect the absorption of other vitamins and minerals - notably folate and iron which is why iron can get mentioned on this forum.

Ferritin is only one measure of iron status. Its quite a good one but it doesn't tell the whole story. Also tests may not be 100% accurate - I don't know what the accuracy of the ferritin test is but it may be that the difference you have between the two results is not significant.

I suggest that, if you can you talk to your doctor. If that isn't possible then the pharmacist that despensed the iron supplements may be able to advise you.

[Blueazul in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you so much for your advise dear. In february 2018 because my b12 was low the doc prescribed me some blood test to check Intrinsic factor antibodies ( I believe it was the name). It came fine. I believe my problem was I had not eaten meat for many many years ....or at least it was very rare in my case to eat meat

[Roo32]

Contrary to some previous replies I believe this may help you ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/2...