Ferritin levels

[claudiasofia1996]

I'm 20 years old.My ferritin levels are 18 ng/ml (15-300) and I'm having hair loss. I went to the doctor and he didn't seem to worry about it because I wasn't anemic, however, I feel like I should improve that. What are your opinions? Should I take an iron supplement?

[Lacey3]

Hi do you have the range for ferritin? If so could you write the range in brackets so if your ferritin is 18 write your range as (15 - 150) if that's the range given by your doctor's lab. It is where you are in range that matters. Thanks

[claudiasofia1996 in reply to Lacey3]

The range is 15-300. What does that mean?

Thank you!!

[Lacey3 in reply to claudiasofia1996]

Hi that's low, near the bottom. Have you got results of complete blood count, iron profile? They can indicate anaemia. More importantly how do you feel apart from the hair loss?

[claudiasofia1996 in reply to Lacey3]

My serum iron is 114 ug/dl (50-170) and hemoglobin 13,2 g/dl (12,0-16,0). Those seem to be good values, right? Sometimes I feel a little dizzy and tired, more than the usual, is that related?

[janey1234]

My daughter, same age had exactly the same result as you and GP ignored it despite her fatigue, so interested to see responses.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have a thyroid problem. Have you had any Thyroid blood tests? Including thyroid antibodies

Or already on any thyroid medication

Or have heavy periods

Look at Thyroid UK for list of thyroid symptoms

[claudiasofia1996 in reply to SlowDragon]

i checked t4 and tsh and they look normal

[shaws Administrator]

Claudiasophia1996 - do you have the results of a blood test for Thyroid Hormones. It doesn't matter if they are in the 'normal' range' you should still post for members to comment.

I would put them on a new post and put the results and ranges of whatever tests you had.

Did you have he blood test at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water). I don't think you've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism yet.

Your doctor should have tested TSH, T4 and T3. You should also have asked him for B12, Vit D, iron, and folate. If you've had these done post them .

[claudiasofia1996 in reply to shaws]

Thank you! Here are my results:

B12 is 463 pg/ml (187-883)

Ferritin 18 ng/ml (15-300)

Serum iron 114 ug/dl (50-170)

T4 1,03 ng/dl (0,70-1,48)

TSH 0,59 uuI/ml (0,35- 4,95)

I did them fasting. I don't have any other tests...