Please can someone explain what ferratain does?

[fern123]

Hi please can someone explain what ferratin is or does, I got my bloods back from docs and reading was 28 which was just above bottom of the scale but doc said as long as within range all good. I have very thin hair and tied all the time could this be the cause and what do I need to take to boost my levels thx.

[marram]

Ferritin is the storage system for iron. It needs to be above the lower part of the range, at least in the top half. This is because although you may have enough iron in your blood etc, you need good stores of iron in case it is needed.

As you body utilises iron, it may have enough for immediate needs but if it needs extra, the ferritin releases iron for use by means of transferrin.

Think of a store cupboard. If you live a long way from the shops, you know you will not go again until next month, then you don't just get enough for tomorrow, you buy extra, say, tins of beans which you put in the cupboard to make sure you won't run out before your next shopping trip.

Well, ferritin is the Beans in the cupboard, and you need enough for emergencies. Hence it should be up at the top of the range, not just 'ok', especially since enough iron is essential for T4-T3 conversion.

This helps even better:

healthline.com/health/ferri...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

A really good explanation by marram

fern123 Low ferritin can cause fatigue and hair loss/thinning.

What was the bottom of the range? If you are very close to the bottom your GP could offer you iron supplements or even injections. And as it is very low he really ought to do a full iron panel.

If your GP won't give you anything you can supplement yourself. Buy Ferrous Fumarate from Amazon and take one tablet twice daily. Take each tablet with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation. Take iron 4 hours away from thyroid meds and any other supplements and medication as iron affects their absorption. When you've finished the pack (usually 84 tablets) you should re-test as too much iron is as bad a stop little. The aim for ferritin is half way through it's range with a absolute minimum of 70 for thyroid hormone (your own or replacement) to work properly.

As you have low ferritin it's possible you could also have low levels of other vitamins and minerals and it would be a good idea to test Vit D, B12 and folate.

[fern123 in reply to SeasideSusie]

hi thank you for your help the scale was 19 - 100+ and my reading was 30 but endo just kept saying as long as over 20 it was fine.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to fern123]

Your endo is wrong and a ferritin level of 30 is not fine. Go ahead and supplement as detailed in my previous reply. I would get the other tests done as well and get all your vitamins and minerals to optimal levels.

When supplementing iron and Vit D it is important to retest and keep an eye on levels.

[hachiko in reply to SeasideSusie]

I take iron bisglycinate, because it should be more gentle for the stomach.

[bluebug]

Just to add unfortunately many doctors do not understand what ferritin is for. Even those who do know what ferritin is for will not tell you to take or prescribe iron supplements until your level is as high as @SeasideSusie states. This is because they are not taught about nutrition and exercise at medical school, therefore you need to help yourself when it comes to nutrition.

Unfortunately if your doctor refuses to test your vitamin and mineral levels then you will have to pay to be tested privately, in the case of iron you must be tested if you decide to supplement.