Ferritin level question .

[xJJx]

Ferritin level was 21 ugl with a range 20 to 300 ... no action taken as within range.

Should i do anything ? Or is it ok at that level

[Pastille]

Hi xjjx, I would say definitely no as it is practically touching the bottom of the range and needs to be higher for the thyroid meds to work. Personally I would supplement that but that's me and I'm a newbie, however I get the feeling most of the others will say the same

[Clutter]

xjjs,

As Pastille says, it needs to be higher. I too would supplement. Ferritin is optimal half way through range.  Taking 500mg-1,000mg vitamin C with each iron tablet will aid absorption and minimise constipation.

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I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[humanbean]

Wow. Your ferritin is roughly 0.4% of the way through the reference range. I'm shocked but not surprised you have been told it is fine.

For future reference, you should make sure you don't take any supplements containing iron for 5 - 7 days before getting blood testing for iron. Also you should have the blood taken while fasting (except for water).

From the NHS : nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1018.aspx?...

Iron blood test

Iron blood tests are usually taken in the morning before you eat anything. You should also avoid taking iron pills or tablets for 24 hours before your test. Your body absorbs iron very quickly from food or pills, so this can raise your iron levels and affect the test results.

Iron blood tests help diagnose conditions such as iron deficiency anaemia (lack of red blood cells caused by low iron levels).

From STTM : stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...

For iron, we learned to be off for 5 days based on information from the Iron Institute, i.e. to see what we are “holding onto”.

[adrienne1972]

My trichologist said it needs to be at least 80. 

[KLR22]

I have had similar low levels in the past and supplement with Iron and Vitamin C.

Karen