Very low serum ferritin result - Pernicious Anaemi...

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Very low serum ferritin result

Hazel1010 profile image
7 Replies

Hello all , I’ve been backwards and forwards to hospital and doctors for over a tear now with irregular heart beats , balance all over the place , extreme tiredness, et. etc .

I’ve had every test you can think off and finally a simple blood test has flagged up very low iron , I’m seeing the doctor Tuesday about the results but I wondered if anyone had any tips .

I am surprised I am so low in iron as I do eat well 🤷🏻‍♀️ But I walk like a drunken sailor as my balance is shot 😊

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7 Replies
Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

Has your b12 been tested Folate vit d

Pernicious anaemia is lack if Intrinsic factor to process b12.

Or some of us anabsorbyion problem.

Often leading to low iron ferritin folate ect.

My initial symptoms included balance issues falling ovef visual problems

Fatigue then vertigo.

Hope you get some answers and the right treatment

Hazel1010 profile image
Hazel1010 in reply toNackapan

Hello there , I had extensive testing for everything 😊 had a text message on Thursday to start taking vit D and book to see doctor this coming Tuesday to discuss the results. That was when I started looking through the results and this one stood out I’ll let you know what happens 😊

Doctors results
Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply toHazel1010

Mind went down to a similar level after b12 started.My daughter went even lower to 9!

You shoujd feel alot better when levels go back up. It takes time.

I wax told you can be symptomatic under 50 to aim between 50-70

Levels do raise with inflammation in the body.

Also vary greatly when pregnant

A huge range which we all function at different levels

Also shoukd be looked at with other iron results.

Mine was 61 ( first ever ) 2018

Thrn 29

Now 45-58 on z maintenence dose now worked out by bloods.

Tom months to get it up and and 2 years to stabilise along with other iron status.

Never needed to take iron before b12 deficient

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator

Hazel1010, to be clear this forum is really about an auto-immune disorder of the gut rather than anaemia in general. The auto-immune disorder particularly attacks the mechanism that allows you to absorb B12 from your diet but it can also affect other vitamins and minerals - folate and iron being the most common.ferritin is one measure of iron status and is generally quite good but does need to be done in context as it is possible to have low ferritin without actually having anaemia.

there are three main things that will lead to iron deficiency - an absorption problem, a dietary deficiency and a bleed which means you are losing iron quicker than you should.

Hope that the appointment with the doctor goes well and you succeed in getting to the bottom of what is causing you to feel so unwell.

Hazel1010 profile image
Hazel1010 in reply toGambit62

Good morning, many thanks for your reply and yes hopefully Tuesday will spread some light 😊

Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support in reply toHazel1010

Be interesting to hear if any further deficiencies are found. Let us know what Tuesday brings. Ask about B12 if it has not been tested - but I'd hope that it would be on the list.

Hazel1010 profile image
Hazel1010 in reply toCherylclaire

Hello , b12 was on the test and was normal, got to be honest been knocking back marmite on toast , fortified breakfast cereal and anything heavy on the iron side ( glad I like veg and fruit ) and feel a lot better already 😊 I’ll let you know how Tuesday goes 😊😊

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