Help with blood results

[Lindsayf]

Hi all

I have taken iron tablets prescribed by my GP for over 15 years. My Ferritin levels were low when I was in my 20s and have taken iron tablets since then. I was really unwell last year with an unrelated illness and I haven’t taken my iron tablets for a few months.

My results;

Serum Iron levels 18.9umol/L (9.0 - 30.4)

Serum transferrin level 2.08g/L (2.0-3.2)

Transferrin saturation index 36% (16-45)

Serum ferritin 109ug/L (23 - 300)

My GP is happy with these results as wants to stop the iron tablets and re test in 3 months to see if my levels remain where they are.

I have agreed to try it but are my current levels good?

Thank you

[Narwhal10]

Hi Lindsayf,

How do you feel ? Fatigue ? Hair texture ? Nails - pitted or ridges ? I can see you have thyroid disease.

If your GP is happy, you feel reasonably well and you are happy then it is a good course of action. You know if your health declines to contact your GP.

Your blood results ‘are in range’ but they are just a number.

Best wishes

[Lindsayf in reply to Narwhal10]

Hi

I was worried that my serum iron was low. I feel tired but I’ve always felt tired. I’m also dealing with a chest issues (coughing and being stuff up) since July 2023. I am seeing a respiratory consultant next week so they can look at my lungs.

I’ve always had ridges in my nails and my hair has always been on the thinner side.

Thanks

[OldmanD in reply to Lindsayf]

Your chest thing interests me. . . . . . That os basically how mine started. . . . . . Please report back if you can about your consultation and what was done/performed during that visit. . . . . I have suffered from a bad chest for some years and was told I had asthma/copd by my then NHS GP. . . . . . . I did visit, was refered to a chest clinic once in NHS land and without going into detail just yet it bore no resemblance to what I have seen here in a Pulmonary Clinic/Lab. . . . . . I'd like to know if everyone in differing areas of NHS land are treated the same. . . . . .

[Lindsayf in reply to OldmanD]

I’ve had asthma my whole life but since July it is not controlled. I cough and then produce phlegm which makes me think it’s a deep infection. I’m hoping they scan my lungs to see if there is any damage to them. My blue asthma medicine doesn’t help so I do not think it’s asthma.

[Orchard33]

Yesterday I had an iron infusion privately. I will see a haematologist when the effects will be clear in April. My serum ferritin was within the range but low. But my energy has been flagging for a month or two and a series of stressful knocks at the beginning of January affected me very badly. Antibiotics for an infection made me ill. Hence my decision to pursue the ferritin line. When I spoke to the very helpful and interested haematologist on the phone he agreed that my level, even though it was in range, was on the low side (I have been orally supplementing for 9 months and the level hasn't budged) I' m working on the hypothesis that injected B12 needs iron to produce healthy blood and that I may not have enough of it available. I think it may be the familiar absorption story, that poor absorption is the key to so much with PA. I will post again with progress or otherwise. It is an experiment, as ever with our condition.

[Lindsayf in reply to Orchard33]

That’s very interesting. I’ve looked on line and the prices are near £1k private. It’s just a shame that our GPs do not investigate more I really hope your transfusion works

[Orchard33 in reply to Lindsayf]

It is expensive and the cost will be paid off over time. However, I received a copy letter this morning from him to my GP summarizing his conversation with me and in the letter he also asked my GP to do a ferritin test before I see him in April and recommending that, if the infusion works, that she considers repeating the treatment as necessary. That contact between him and primary care is very useful to me in the future. He knows that I'm a self-payer.

[Lindsayf in reply to Orchard33]

I hope it works for you