My serum ferritin is 15ug/L, but I haven't been given a range. Is 15 necessarily low or might it be normal in some ranges?

[Scissors]

I've been told all my levels are 'normal'.

[shaws Administrator]

This is a link of a previous question and it says 70-90 is the aim.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Scissors in reply to shaws]

Ha! I don't think I've ever been 70 in my life! This would explain an awful lot, thank you.

[Marz]

You could ask your Doc - what is normal ? I don't think there will be an answer. Think he means it is in range. A very different matter. Ranges are only a guide and in the case of Ferritin is as shaws says - should be around 70/80/90. Ferritin is as you probably know stored iron - so there is very little in the store cupboard for your body to draw on when needed.....

[Scissors in reply to Marz]

I already asked him that, he said normal means healthy. I told him healthy 30 year olds don't gasp for breath all the time and he said yes, that's normal too, and that science doesn't have all the answers. I don't think I'm going to get anywhere with him, do you?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Scissors]

How do these people pass their tests before becoming GPs? None of us have medical degrees but now, after reading so much about thyroid gland problems, could probably put people on the road to recovery if proper medication could be prescribed.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Scissors]

What an idiot - him not you!

[Marz in reply to Scissors]

You could try self medicating to bring your levels up and if your symptoms subside you could ask your Doc to enter it on your notes that LOW Ferritin has caused your breathlessness.

What are your other levels like - B12 - Iron - Folate - VitD ? May be you need more in depth testing around the Ferritin/Iron issue.

[Scissors in reply to Marz]

I don't know those other levels as he wont test them. I think the line he used was 'there will always be more tests you can think of, the internet's full of it, but none of them will help you.' Besides, he knows what causes my breathlessness: hypochondria (I wouldn't be at all surprised if that was already written on my notes).

[Marz in reply to Scissors]

Could you afford to have your tests done privately ? On the main website of Thyroid UK there is information about the Companies that do and GP's have to take notice. Going through Thyroid UK enables you to have a discount. Blue Horizon and Genova Diagnositcs are the ones I believe.

He is incorrect about levels of vitamins and minerals not being important. If you want OPTIMAL health then deficiencies need to be addressed with thyroid issues - and of course other conditions.

Sorry your Doc is not co-operating. Sadly preventative medicine does not seem to be on the NHS radar....time to take control and continue your own journey. Everyone here will advise and support.

[Jackie]

Hi I would ask the receptionist for the range. An Endo would consider this too low. Quite likely that your B12 is also, unacceptable.It needs to be high in range. Also check Iron a different test for iron, , transference % is absorption and should be a high %

Jackie

[Scissors in reply to Jackie]

Thanks, I might try calling the receptionist on Monday. She's unlikely to be as obtuse as the gp, right? No chance of other tests being done though, as I'm NORMAL, see?

[Jackie in reply to Scissors]

Hi How I hate the "normal'' No one is normal! If you do not win with GP , ask to see an Endo but choose one first. Say to prove GP right!!They like that!You can get any extra tests with Blue Horizon, well known lab, finger prick easy as all DIY. Quote TUK 10 for a discount..It took me 20 years but I won in the end.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[Scissors in reply to Jackie]

Aye, I'm going to have to go private on this, aren't I? There is no point me asking my gp anything anymore - he just smiles and shakes his head and tells me he's 'sure it's all very real to me.' I've been told in no uncertain terms that I can't have any more tests.

[Jackie in reply to Scissors]

Hi Even if you see a private Endo, like mine, they do not charge much and will instruct gP on tests and meds. ,BUT you will always need a referral, from any doc. can some one go with you and say how poorly you are. A man as may be a misogynist! Lot about!

Jackie

[Scissors in reply to Jackie]

Wait now - do I need my NHS gp to refer me to the private endo of my choice?

I always bring my man with me to gp appointments as I get told I'm imagining it all the time, which I end up believing if I don't have back-up with me. Also I know he's a bit of a misogynist as he's decided I want children when I've decided I don't. Women's lib? No thanks, we're British. He does have a nice moustache though.

[Jackie in reply to Scissors]

Hi If you see a private Endo,yes any doc will do, locum?You can see a private doc, not Endo without referral but totally different. When I was under one, he overdosed me,very ill and did not look at anything. Turned out so many things all affecting the thyroid.

\can you change GP`s? if you do, see one first and decide if you want him.! A friend always does that! Taking someone with you could help. GO`s happier to refer you to a private Endo, they have m ore time and also work in NHS, not bound up with protocol when private.

Jackie

[Scissors in reply to Jackie]

Well I just asked the receptionist what range is used for ferritin and she neither knows what ferretin is nor what a range is. I watched her ask the other receptionists and they had no idea either. Um?

[Jackie in reply to Scissors]

Sorry emergency hospital for a week, just home. Receptionists have to ask GP ! Nurse might be better.All Labs different ranges! ie in different areas.

Jackie

[AddiFeelsCack]

Just ask the receptionist at your doctors for a copy of you last blood tests, it will give you the complete list of items tested as well as the lab ranges for each one.

Addi

=]

[Scissors in reply to AddiFeelsCack]

Yup! Will be ringing the receptionist on Monday to ask for the range, but I already have a copy of my blood tests (you don't think they would have actively informed me of my ferritin level do you?) And it has very few ranges on it for anything. It does have a range for ALT though, and that is 0 to 52. This is where my lack of secondary education comes into play, as to me that looks like 0 (zero) liver function is considered normal, haha.

[AddiFeelsCack in reply to Scissors]

If you know what lab it went to (maybe your local hospital) you can go above the doctors head and get the lab ranges directly from them, if it is a hospital they usually have the lab ranges on their web site as part of FOI

=]

[Scissors in reply to AddiFeelsCack]

Well I just asked the receptionist what range is used for ferritin and she neither knows what ferretin is nor what a range is. I watched her ask the other receptionists and they had no idea either. I don't know how to respond to this?

[HarryE in reply to Scissors]

Either look up the pathology handbook online for wherever your tests get done (local hospital?) or ring them and ask. The switchboard will put you through to the labs.

[Clutter]

Scissors,

As said above, range is necessary to tell. The ferritin range in my area is 10-291, so 11 and 290 are normal.

[Ansteynomad]

The range where I live is 15-150. I was told by an endo that 16 was 'low normal' and it was not necessary to take a supplement!

[Scissors]

Right! That's what I was wondering. So even on a scale of 6 to 140, 15 is low, which would both explain my inability to get downstairs without painkillers, but also my gp saying it's normal. Of course I can't have a T3 test since my TSH was in range too, but now at least I know my T3 is low. I think I'm finally starting to get my head around some of this! Thank you!

[Scissors]

And judging by how I feel at 15 I can only assume someone at 6 would be in hospital?

[HarryE]

My range is 20-400 and my 28 is also 'normal'. It's nuts!! Been heavily supplementing since January, and my hair has just stopped falling out.

[Scissors in reply to HarryE]

It stops falling out?? I had just sort of assumed that was going to be a permanent thing. After I brush my hair in the bathroom it looks like we have a nasty brown carpet in there.

[HarryE in reply to Scissors]

It hasn't started growing back yet, but yes its definitely not coming out like it was. Luckily I have/had very thick hair so it doesn't show unless you knew what it was like before, but it feels thin to me.

[suzannai in reply to HarryE]

Harry, how low was your ferretin? I am surprised that you responded so well to the NDT despite the levels being so low. I am concerned with my low ferretin that it will take a long time to get up to normal and the NDT will not work

[HarryE in reply to suzannai]

It was 28 in January, and I started supplementing then, with at least 2 x 200 iron tablets a day. I didn't start NDT til mid march, so I had spent about 8 weeks working on all my vits/minerals first.

[GG1965]

My ferritin level is 10.0 and the range I was given is 41 - 400. I have been told it needs to be nearer 200. I do feel rubbish and can only imagine that after this weeks star week which was horrendous yesterday it will be even lower.

I have been prescribed Ferrous Fumanate and I am popping them like smarties! Please insist on some iron medication! Your levels are far too low

[Hidden]

Serum ferritin range here 20-250 ug/L, I agree with others that is too low to ignore.

A friend at work was having spinal injections before she found out she was anaemic, she's back horse-riding and very much better since supplementing (& she wasn't eating properly). J

[Scissors in reply to Hidden]

A ray of sunshine! Thank you! I had dreams of becoming a yoga instructor before I got ill - maybe it's not too late after all

[sazzyb]

Hi Scissors, mine was 18 (range 11-200). My haematologist didn't think it was normal, he started me on iron tabs and I have to see him again in 4 months. Looks like you'll have to educate your GP, he's an idiot.

Print this article from the BMJ out and post it to him!

Iron supplementation for unexplained fatigue in non-anaemic women. 136 (94%) women completed the study. Most had a low serum ferritin concentration.

bmj.com/content/326/7399/1124

[Scissors in reply to sazzyb]

I am going to do this!

[Clutter in reply to Scissors]

Scissors,

I'd consider changing to a GP that didn't spend most of his time at med school playing rugby, too. Yours obviously doesn't know enough to help you become well.

nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1088.aspx

[Scissors]

Gosh, I can't imagine how bad she must have felt at 6! I hope she's managed to get treatment since?

[Clutter]

Scissors,

'At risk groups' should be tested for vitamin D deficiency. Your GP probably isn't up to date with the guidelines issued in April vitamindcouncil.org/vitamin...

[berniejohn0]

Hi sorry to bother you , but the reason i am looking on here is that my daughter age 18 had a blood test done ( I persuaded her to go to the doctors as she was very pale and tired) and her serum ferritin was 3ug/l and her full blood count showed anaemic, when we went to the doctors she said lots of girls her age gets results like this so its not anything to worry about, she said get it tested again in 3 months, if she likes she could take iron but its up to her , my daughter said she'll see how she feels and will try and eat more food with iron in.... she is at her first year at university , i think it will be hard for her.....i just wondered how has your grandaughter got on ..... she was home from uni last week and she said she felt tired but has been eating better !! she said she hates the thought of going for another blood test and she doesn't understand why i am so worried as the doctor wasn't (em my daughters thyroid came back normal) not sure if this site is just for people with thyroid problems)

[humanbean in reply to berniejohn0]

Your daughter has been left to rot, and would be perfectly justified in making a complaint. The GP's response is appalling and I think your daughter should change GPs. The one she has is negligent.

Being anaemic is bad for the heart. (And lots of other things too.) It shouldn't just be left. To treat it :

Go to a pharmacy and buy :

210mg ferrous fumarate in a box of 84.

This should cost around £4 or £5. It is enough for 3 separate doses for 28 days. (This is the maximum dose and is what most doctors would prescribe.) With each pill, take 500mg - 1000mg Vitamin C. Iron causes constipation for lots of people. The vitamin C helps the body to absorb the iron and reduces the problem of constipation.

Boots won't sell ferrous fumarate without a prescription, other pharmacies will. I've bought it without a prescription from Lloyds and Tesco pharmacies.

Your daughter should get re-tested in 2 or 3 months to check what her response to the iron is. She might absorb it quickly, she might absorb it slowly, there is no way to tell without testing. It is poisonous in overdose so testing must not be neglected.

A good ferritin level is roughly half way through the reference range.

The BNF (British National Formulary) contains lists of the drugs that doctors can readily prescribe, the doses, etc. You will find the info on iron supplements here :

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

A good doctor would be interested in finding out why your daughter's iron levels had fallen so low. I can't help you with that, but you really should follow this up. Her iron will just drop again after treatment if the underlying cause is not fixed.

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

Clarification : When I said three pills a day was the maximum dose, I didn't just mean your daughter should take one box then stop. It might take several months of taking three per day to fix such a low iron level. This is why regular testing is necessary.

Just for info, there are several different reference ranges for ferritin in use in the UK. One of the commonest ones that I see given here is that the result should be between 13 - 150 ug/L, but your daughter needs to find out what the range was for her test, it could well be different. Halfway through that range is 81.5 ug/L and is what your daughter should aim for.

[Elizlloyd]

Hi

My Serum Ferritin level was 60 ug/ L shown in blood test taken 23/03/2016 had a print out of results and were normal which surprised me as my hair was coming out a lot then and even showed I had a small bald patch showing on the top of my head, since then I decided to go back to the doctor as I wasnt happy with my hair and almost bald on the top of my head and sides and hair is thinning, and was so worried had a further blood on 8 July 2016 shows serum ferritin level at 52 ug / l and the result for this blood test has came back normal again, am now wondering if I have an iron deficiency ... am taking floradix daily now since beginning of June to help boost my iron levels and my haemoglobin estimation is 133 as compared to 128 in March. Any thoughts with what supplement to take as well would be appreciated.

[humanbean in reply to Elizlloyd]

Elizlloyd Hi, and welcome to the forum.

You are more likely to get answers and suggestions if you write a new post, rather than replying to a 2 year old thread. A lot of people pay little or no attention to old threads that get resurrected. You could copy what you've typed above, you don't have to type it all in again.

[Elizlloyd in reply to humanbean]

Hi humanbean appreciate your reply have just written a new post. My mistake sorry about that.