Is my ferritin too low?

[sip1]

Serum ferritin level 37 ng/ml [13 - 150]

I'm just wondering if this could be why my ft3 doesn't seem to be very high and has in fact decreased.....

Should I be taking something to raise this?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sip1 - yes it's too low, yes you need an iron supplement.

Ferritin needs to be at least 70 for thyroid hormone to work and conversion to take place.

Take each iron tablet with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation, and take iron four hours away from thyroid meds and two hours away from any other medication and supplements as it affects their absorption.

Eating liver regularly, maximum 200g a week, will also help raise ferritin.

Also, to aid conversion, supplementing with selenium can help.

[sip1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for your reply Is there a specific iron supplement I should take, or will any do? I have some gentle iron (as I do seem to suffer from constipation otherwise!). Would that be ok? Or I have a multi vitamin, with iron. The liver is out as I'm vegan! lol

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sip1]

Sip1, Gentle Iron will be fine but as it only has 20 or 25 mg elemental iron then you will probably need more than one a day to raise your level. Don't forget the Vit C then hopefully you won't get constipated.

Ditch the multivitamin, they're a total waste of time and money. They contain too little of anything to help, use the cheapest and least absorbable form of ingredients, and if they contain iron then nothing else will get absorbed as iron needs to be taken separately away from anything else. Also, if it contains iodine that's the last thing we Hypos need unless we test and find we are deficient.

Vitamins and minerals can be tested to see if levels are low or deficient, then it's best to supplement just what we need.

[sip1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so much for your response. I honestly don't know what I'd do without this forum sometimes!

[sip1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

How much iron should one take? The gentle iron - which I'll use up first, is 26mg. Should I be taking 3 of those? Seems most are 65mg from what I can tell...?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sip1]

I would start with one, if you have no problems, increase to two, etc. You are going to need quite a few to get the equivalent of prescribed ferrous fumarate. Normally twinge would be prescribed for low ferritin (130mg elemental iron).

Or you could try ferrous fumarate to start with and if you get on ok with that then save the Gentle Iron for later when you need a maintenance dose.

[sip1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you I'm just a little concerned about iron overall as I did have gastritis a while ago (now healed) that lasted a year and a half. I definitely don't want that back! Is iron harsh on the actual stomach?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sip1]

Ferrous fumarate can be harsh, Gentle Iron is recommended when people can't tolerate the FF. You could always try liquid iron but from what I understand it has very little elemental iron , about 5mg per serving.

[sip1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

OK perhaps I'll stick with the gentle iron for now and see how it goes. It says to take preferably with meals, so that might be a better option anyway.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sip1]

From what I understand it's better to take on an empty stomach for best absorption, but to avoid stomach upset it's best taken with food. See how you go

[Wolfiesmom08]

Maybe try Floradix

[ShootingStars]

No! Your ferritin is fine! Please do not start pounding iron unless you get a complete iron panel and you have a medical professional or doctor say that you need it. You do not want to get iron toxicity! Please see the post by annabird entitled “Is my ferritin too low?” And dated February 2018. You will find out about how taking iron pills can lead to iron toxicity! Me and another person both have experience with Ferrin being around 50 and is having iron toxicity.