Iron/ferritin deficiency???

[Inna]

Hi. My test results for serum iron is 10 (5.8 - 34.5) and my ferritin is 27 (13-150). Went to see my doctor, who told me that these are normal results and I dont need to raise them. Want to ask for your opinion about it. Are they ok?

[roslin]

if you are on thyroid medication you need ferritin at a level of 80 or over to be able to convert T4 ot T3

nahypothyroidism.org/deiodi...

if you take the references to your GP you may me able to make her/him understand the importance.

Anyway, you are too low to convert effectively

Roslin

[Inna in reply to roslin]

Thank you for the link. I had a feeling that low-normal is not enough for me. Now I know why. I consulted with a hematologist in a really good regional hospital. My GP would not even llisten to me.

The hematologist said this is normal, so dont be a panic-starter... She's not the first doctor I tried to get to listen... I'm out of options now. The thing is that I'm ok with taking vits on my own, but higher doses of iron - not so keen on taking those without supervision. Maybe you could tell me where to look for any guidelines on iron supplementation - how to do it safely?

[PinkNinja]

As roslin says, you need iron. There was also recent research to show that non-anaemic females suffering from fatigue etc with a ferritin level below 50 benefit from iron supplements. Here is the paper...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

To get your ferritin levels up you need to take your iron with vitamin C to aid absorption and take a good B vitamin complex. B2 in particular helps with storage of iron but the B vitamins all work together. As you have low iron you almost certainly are low in other things, including B vitamins, and taking this B complex and a separate B12 supplement may well help. If you decide to take a B12 supplement you need to take methylcobalamin rather than cyanocobalamin.

I hope that helps.

Carolyn x

[Inna in reply to PinkNinja]

Thank you, Carolyn. This was an interesting study. I do think, that my tiredness level should have improved more thatks to the thyroid hormones replacement therapy. My b12 is actually quite high - 728 (191-663) though I haven't been taking it in high doses rather in a multivitamin complex twice a year for 2 months. I only have 1 test missing from the most advised ones here - vit d, had to do them all privately so had to postpone it. All the doctors I consulted with make "scary eyes" and tell me how bad it is to start taking iron supplements. I'm quite scared by their stories. But still think that I need a higher level of both serum iron and ferritin... just not sure what to do.

[PinkNinja in reply to Inna]

It is only bad to take too much iron. Your levels are so low that you need to take some iron. As the paper clearly shows, many women with ferritin levels of less than 50 benefit from iron supplements. Your ferritin is much lower than this and your serum iron is at the bottom of the range. If they are warning you about supplementing then they shouldn't mind retesting in 6 months if you tell them you have been supplementing

Many people find iron supplements cause digestive issues so you may want to look into one that is gentle on the stomach. I take Spatone but you would need to take 2 or even 3 sachets a day to start with. Boots often have them on a 3 for 2 offer. Whatever form of iron you take, take it with vitamin C and make sure you are taking a B vitamin complex (or multivitamin) containing B2. This should help.

I hope this helps and you start to feel better soon.

Carolyn x

[Inna in reply to PinkNinja]

Thank for your support, Carolyn. I've been so confused that was ready to cry. I'm with you that I have plenty of room for increasing my levels. I had a gastritis problem back at the University - was caused by too much stress during exams. That is the main counter-argument for most doctors I've seen - you'll damage your stomack. I'm still lost as to the amount right for me as none of the doctors said anything about it.

I actually had my Iron test as well as all the other tests done at a private lab. So its a costly thing but I value my health higher.

And thank you for your kind words, I'm almost sobbing right now. Knowing that somebody cares really lifts my spirits having been thrown out by so many doctors saying its all in your head, you're normal!

[edysia2 in reply to Inna]

I had gastritis too, last year and I was worried that iron can cause digestive problems. Spatone was causing some GI issues but I take solgar gentle iron now and I feel fine. Good luck. E x

[PinkNinja in reply to edysia2]

I was going to suggest Spatone but if the Solgar Gentle iron is even gentler then so much the better. I shall remember that next time someone asks.

Thanks

[edysia2 in reply to PinkNinja]

Solgar cause problems in some people but for me It works ok. Trial and error as with all of this hypo buisnes

[Inna in reply to edysia2]

Thank you, will try to find it.

[Hidden in reply to edysia2]

did you find the solgar gentle raised your ferritin levels? How long did it take to see and feel the difference?

[Inna in reply to Hidden]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

[Hidden in reply to Inna]

Thanks Inna. Your experience does help. I'm gluten free too (2 years) and it does make me feel better. Just need to work on the iron/ferritin, but will look at blood glucose too.

[jasperc163]

Just a note to say I am using Solgar Gentle Iron too (having found that my ferritin didn't improve on 2x spatone per day). My ferritin went up from 32 to 49 in 2.5 months so still some way to go but moving in the right direction at least.

[Inna in reply to jasperc163]

Thank you, your note is very useful)) Your ferritin level was relatively close to mine at the moment. Would it be too much to ask you to share your experience? Maybe in a private message?

[Hidden in reply to jasperc163]

Has your ferritin continued to go up? Are you still using Solgar Gentle Iron?

Do you feel better?

[jasperc163 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Keziablue - no in the end I used ferrous fumarate (you can by OTC for about £3) and that worked much more effectively. I'm afraid though that getting my ferritin up had no impact on my health.