Ferrtin at 5!!!!!!!

[redcatstar]

My thyroid tests are grand at the most, but my ferrtin keeps dropping was 5.7 den 6.9 and now its a 5, no one seems interested doc wise and have told me to keep taking the ferrograd with vit c, wat is the best treatment for this does anyone know, or what should I be asking doc pls

[Hidden]

All I can suggest is keep on asking your doc why, I've not heard of ferrograd sorry, seen folk posting about spatone and floradix 'tho (and vit C helps too). Of course if one is low the others may be too (check folate B12 VitD etc.)

personally I like liver & onions but it is by no means to everyone's taste! J

nhs.uk/conditions/Anaemia-i...

[helvella Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Found it here:

amazon.co.uk/Ferrograd-C-Fi...

Ferrous sulphate and vitamin C - not sure if there are other products under the same brand?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Coaching for GPs on low iron available from the Swiss...

coaching-for-health.net/eis...

[redcatstar in reply to Hidden]

My hamegoblin is the normal b12 is as well my vit D was low so am on 1000iug of vit D3 daily, but I'm wrecked can just about work then I spend the weekend trying to clean the house and I'm getting angry and frustrated with my family over it

[humanbean]

I've just looked up Ferrograd with vitamin C and discovered it is a slow-release formula. Is there a reason why you have to have this? Stomach issues? Low acid? Reflux?

If your stomach is not unusually sensitive, then you could buy a different iron preparation and buy your own vitamin C tablets to go with them.

The ones I got prescribed, which I've discovered I can buy in pharmacies without a prescription (and it is much more convenient to do so!), is ferrous fumarate 210mg. I buy them in boxes of 84, which is enough for 1 tablet, 3 times a day, for 28 days. A single box costs less than a fiver.

I take each iron pill with 1000mg of vitamin C - it helps the absorption process. I've managed to raise my ferritin from low 20s to high 60s in about 5 months.

When I looked up Ferrograd in the British National Formulary (the book which gives doctors info on what can readily be prescribed), I found this page :

evidence.nhs.uk/formulary/b...

And I particularly noticed this paragraph :

"Modified-release preparations

Modified-release preparations of iron are licensed for once-daily dosage, but have no therapeutic advantage and should not be used. These preparations are formulated to release iron gradually; the low incidence of side-effects may reflect the small amounts of iron available for absorption as the iron is carried past the first part of the duodenum into an area of the gut where absorption may be poor."

So, probably a good time to change, unless you have a compelling reason to stay on the iron you have already been prescribed.

Edit : I forgot to say - Boots insists on a prescription but Lloyds don't and will happily sell ferrous fumarate 210mg.

[redcatstar in reply to humanbean]

Hi, I have a hiatus hernia and terrible reflux but would rather have energy will try and see if I can get that in Ireland most things are on prescription here, thanks

[nicreb24 in reply to redcatstar]

I also have hiatus hernia and reflux. Do you get the feeling that you can't clear your throat because I do. I also have a thyroid problem

[redcatstar in reply to nicreb24]

No I don't have that feeling but some nights in bed I kinda vomit

[humanbean in reply to redcatstar]

Have you ever tried a high-fibre diet? I used to get dreadful reflux but I spent a few years taking a fibre supplement daily - I used psyllium seed husk powder. I have no idea if I have a hiatus hernia or not, but the extra fibre seemed to soak up stuff from my stomach and prevent it from going up my oesophagus. The fibre also speeded up my digestion a bit as well, so nothing hung around in my gut for a long time, and that helped reduce pain and reflux as well.

I bought this stuff :

gnc.co.uk/whole-psyllium-hu...

My dose varied over time from as little as 1 heaped teaspoon after breakfast up to 2 teaspoons after breakfast and 2 teaspoons in the evening (I was probably being much too enthusiastic there!), mixed with a large glass of squash + an additional glass of water. You have to drink it down very quickly because it turns into a jelly-like substance if left for too long. Lots of water is absolutely essential when taking this stuff.

It can make people bloat up for the first few days until they get used to it, but it wears off quickly. It's a good idea to build up slowly.

I found when I was using the fibre stuff that it helped protect my stomach from all the supplements I was taking. It possibly reduced the amount I absorbed too, but it didn't bother me. All I wanted was a comfortable stomach.

I have to point out, I have no idea whether fibre is good for a hiatus hernia or not, and I don't know if it will affect anything thyroid-related. I just know it helped me. You would have to do your own research.

[Marz in reply to redcatstar]

Are you taking anything for the acid reflux ? That can suppress your B12 and possibly other things. Being Hypo usually means Low acid - perhaps you are not being adequately treated for the thyroid.....which can cause that....but give the symptoms of too much

[Jackie]

Hi You do need a little vit C dissolved with the iron. However, more importantly check that you are having the full test NHS or privately , which gives the absorption %. It should be very high, if not you need more iron to compensate. Only good Endos seem to understand this. You can have absorption problems for lots of reasons, another story.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[redcatstar in reply to Jackie]

Endo said she didn't need to c me anymore 2yrs ago and I had ,had a myxeodema crisis of the thyroid ,can I take spatone or ferrous furmate instead of ferrograd I think my hamegoblin is fine ,just ferrtin low at 5

[Jackie in reply to redcatstar]

Hi Spatone very safe but very weak, you would need loads. Ferrous Fumerate is the strongest. With a little dissolved vit C, cheap, smallest strength halved in water..I take 630mg, maximum dose recommended but on a script. My levels are just in ramge but absorption is only 17% My good Endo and I had to fight go get the extra from GP, she did not understand. Endo and I discussed changing it but she said there is nothing else.Make sure it is not influenced by your B12 being too low. It needs to be high in range, autoimmune and hormonal.You will feel terrible with it so low. Will the GP re refer you?

Best wishes,

Jackie

[redcatstar in reply to Jackie]

Thanks Jackie doc will refer me to another endo if I can find a good one, its strange in Ireland they don't test your T3 or RT3 my doc sent blood to the hospital but got eaten for doing it,and they refused to do the tests

[Jackie in reply to redcatstar]

Hi That is dreadful, but not unusual. can you use on line? I am not sure but I use Blue Horizon, finger prick or venous blood which my GP takes. She is "not allowed" to do FT3, essential ! I am sure there is an on line company in Ireland but do not go through any private hospital, very expensive.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[redcatstar in reply to Jackie]

Thank u☺

[redcatstar]

Thanks I live in Ireland they don't do enough here for thyroid but my go is brill