I have low iron. My HB is 9 and my ferritin levels are just 4.
I also have many vitamin b12 and folate deficiency symptoms but my GP says my levels are fine and within the normal range. Vit b12 is 319 (range on the report was 197-771) and Folate is 5.9.
Does anyone know if these deficiencies all go hand in hand with each other?
NB:- The cause of the anaemia is due to years of very heavy periods. I am due an ablation next week to help sort this issue.
Hi rustydog,
Is your GP treating the Iron? Those levels look extremely low.
"Does anyone know if these deficiencies all go hand in hand with each other?" They often do, but there are many causes and your GP should be investigating.
Yes they often do go together. You should be treated with iron and monitored.
It can take quite a while to get iron levels raised .
As you do not give a range hard to tell about b12.
Get a printout of your results that will give ranges.
Ask for a IFA test.
If positive PA. if negative doesn't rule out PA
Surly your doctor will try abd find a cause fir such low levels if your diet is good.
My low iron is due to very heavy periods, I am due an ablation next week so am hoping that will slow down or stop the bleeding. I am in a vicious cycle as the doctors will only prescribe iron supplements but they greatly upset my IBS and infusions have been refused. The b12 was 319 with range of 197-771.
Scientist, not medic.
Iron Deficiency is a symptom of something else, rather than a condition in itself.
If you suffer from any sort of chronic blood loss, then that would tip you over into negative iron balance. 1 ml of red cells contains 1 mg of iron, so you don't need to lose much before you're deficient.
However, be vary careful about increasing your iron intake without close medical supervision. Iron in excess is toxic, and the body doesn't have a mechanism for getting rid of excess iron.
Listen to your GP.
Sorry, I should have added in my original post that the anaemia is due to years of heavy periods. I am having an ablation next week and am hoping that will raise the levels slowly. I just have so many symptoms and many of them appear to be indicative of a B12 deficiency. My GP just keeps prescribing ferrous fumerate but she knows they greatly upset my IBS and make me feel very unwell. She wouldn’t refer me to have an infusion, my gynaecologist did a few weeks ago but the hospital refused as my HB is 9 and they say that isn’t too low. I am going round in circles whilst feeling awful every day, it’s so frustrating.
Perhaps try little snd often iron throughout the day .spartobe very low disease but gentle . As is floradix.Not enough I know but mat help you until correct it'll tolerated treatment.
Get a copy of your blood results.
Get s referral or pay if you can afford a one off consult .
Ask for IFA test
We all know z normal b1e serum dies not rule out PA or b1e not reaching the cells.
I was prescribed ferrous fumarate 320 which was awful.
I do tolerate ferrous fumarate 210mg every other day.
Hope your iron status improves soon.
Abd your periods do slow down.
Scientist, not medic.
That makes a lot of sense. The ablation should help you a great deal, and you'll be mending in no time at all. Trying to cure the iron deficiency when there's raging blood loss going on is better than not trying, but addressing the issue is usually the answer.
You'll feel much better soon!
Hello, I have PA and recurring iron deficiency anaemia. My folate was low too. They are all connected somehow and I think mask the shape of your blood cells in tests which can make diagnosis difficult. What happened to me is my gp tried for nearly 2 years with different iron supplements insisting that would fix it, my levels never raised and I became unable to work, leave the house (vomiting and diahhorea from the tablets) mouth ulcers, hair fell out, random rapid heartbeats, panic attacks , pains in chest, eye twitch, blood clots (dvt) etc etc. I had countless tests and examinations for internal bleeding, gynaecologist, cardio, MRIs, respiratory tests , sleep apnea, I was accused of being a hypochondriac and being depressed.I was also told by one gp that I was a woman and likely to be tired! Eventually I was referred to a Haemotologist who gave me an iron infusion and told me that I was not absorbing iron through my stomach alongside my inability to absorb b12(pernicious anaemia). He said it was not uncommon for this to happen because PA is an absorption issue and starts in the gut . He was horrified that the gp didn’t send me to him earlier and wrote a quite rude letter to the GP. This letter also says useful stuff about me having b12 whenever I need it and it not being toxic so I refer to it regularly if I get a nurse commenting on my b12 injections 😂
I now have blood tests and iron infusions regularly and he never lets me miss a test or drop too low.
I’m not a medic or scientist but maybe this will help you. Maybe ask to see a Haemotologist, mine told me that they do another blood test called something like a transferrin test which combined with the shape of your blood cells can tell if it is an absorbing issue rather than that you are losing blood somewhere (which is the more usual cause of iron deficiency)
Hope you get proper treatment soon!
Shdne on that Gp putting you through all of that .That letter is 'goldust'
I have a similar letter written in 2020 but a neutogist .
Apparently Gp Says out of date as no time frame give.
I despair!!
So I agree you have to keep pushing .
Thank you so much. I am so sorry you went through all of that, I really do not know why GPs overlook so much. My GP just offers me antidepressants all the time. People often accused of being lazy, a hypochondriac or that it’s all in my head but I can honestly say without a doubt that I feel like rubbish most days.
I was discovered to have a HB count of 6, and a ferritin level of 3, and was immediately sent to the ambulatory care unit at my local hospital for a blood transfusion. Two bags worth. I felt better after that. I went down again 2 weeks later to 6.5, and had to have another transfusion. HB level was 9.5 after the transfusion. Mine was thought to be as a result of taking Naproxen anti inflamatories. My B12 levels around the time were 159, and I was told I was within the normal range, so didn't need treatment for that.
Fortunately my system could cope with iron tablets which I took for a year. GP wanted my ferritin levels up to 100, so you have a long way to go. I did feel the transfusions were useful to kick start my treatment. I was told normal HB was 11-13. It is a pity that no account is being taken of your IBS problems
I have had b12 problems since then, but thought to be related to taking PPIs for acid reflux caused by my hiatus hernia.
I think I did have both at the same time, but whether they were related wasn't really clear.
Thank you. I think I am going to have push the gp.
Low Ferritin with normal Folate & Iron?
Ferritin 23 and iron 74
My B12 and Folate levels
Advice needed regarding doctors treatment of low b12 and low folate, please. 
Normal MMA and Homocysteine levels
