Low ferritin normal haemglobin : My fatigue has... - Thyroid UK

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Low ferritin normal haemglobin

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My fatigue has got a lot worst over the last 2 months and been getting really bad headaches

Got my eyes checked they fine but optician said your not on iron tablets no more could this be why your tired

I booked in to have my tsh freet3 freet4 and calcium check some had fbc and ferritin checked

My endocrinologist rang and said your ferritin lower than normal your need to start ironbut for me to do that round my meds it’s 5am and midnight

Ferritin 6 (lab ranges 11 - 307)

Haemglobin 131 (121 - 160) he said I’m not anemica as haemglobin normal

Previously my ferritin been on average 13 - 15 but the highest it’s ever been is 29

I have no thyroid and prior to this couple of months still sleeping quite a lot but on thyroxine and t3

My endo phone me late Friday night but was going to write to dept in hospital regarding me having a iron fusion but he did say I might be told no and have to go on iron tablets. Saturday night out of hrs recommend co codamol to help with headaches

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36 Replies

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bluebug7 years ago

You have what is called non-anaemic iron deficiency.

If you don't get your ferritin level up you can end up with iron deficiency anaemia in a few months. In other words your haemoglobin level will be affected.

If you don't get your iron infusion and you aren't likely to get it due to NHS rationing, then standard treatment is two times ferrous sulphate or ferrous fumerate per day. If you can't stomach either of those, then buy yourself via Amazon UK ferrous gluconate or ferrous bisglyincate e.g. Solar Gentle Iron supplements and take the same amount of tablets per day as what you are prescribed.

The headaches are a symptom of iron deficiency. There are many more horrible signs and symptoms.

• in reply tobluebug7 years ago

Thank you bluebug I’m going to see if I can chase endocrinologist up again tomorrow as left a message midday today with his secretary

I thought I was tired before this now totally exhausted

Because I take thyroxine and t3 at 9.30 and t3 at 12.30 and 4.30 and calchiew at 10

If I have to take tablets twice it would be 5am and 8.30pm and take my calchiew at 12.30 am

This stuff you mention would still be twice a day as that was what was suggested by endocrinologist

I can’t see my fatigue improving taking tablets those times

bluebug• in reply to7 years ago

Unfortunately you aren't likely to be seen as a priority for an iron infusion.

If you feel dizzy and faint - especially if you actually faint - then get someone - family, friend or even a neighbour to accompany you to A&E by taxi or take you in their car asap. If you faint in the street then a paramedic will be called.

• in reply tobluebug7 years ago

I went light headed on Tuesday but nothing since then

Thank you for your advice really appreciate it

activelazy• in reply to7 years ago

I think you need to go to a&e and collapse there. You know what I mean.

Clutter• in reply to7 years ago

Sweetpea33,

Why don't you try dividing T3 into 2 doses and that will make it easier to take 2 doses of iron 4 hours away from T4 and T3.

• in reply toClutter7 years ago

I found I was not benefiting taking the t3 twice a day so oncologist suggested three times aday

Clutter• in reply to7 years ago

Sweetpea33,

It may be worth reconsidering if it makes it easier to take 3 x iron daily.

• in reply toClutter7 years ago

Not sure where I would take the 3 doses

The letter was done Monday to fusion dept it went in the internal post so will await reply my endo away till Thursday but left message with secretary to ask if we can investigate what causing it to be that low

My only concern with tablets is you need to take them ages for it to go up abot

researcherUK7 years ago

Your headaches are due to your very low and almost undetectable ferritin. All your previous ferritin levels are very low.

Do you bleed? Have they checked you for celiac's?

• in reply toresearcherUK7 years ago

I was checked for celiacs in 2015 but I had only just started introducing wheat bread daily for 6 weeks prior I got wheat intolerance which upsets my stomach two days later

Since being moved to the mini pill I have a period 2-3 days for me I wouldn’t say it was heavy a year before that I bleed heavy whilst having a smear and had a colonoscopy who suggested the pill change so womb lining wouldn’t bleed so much

researcherUK• in reply to7 years ago

I am not sure if you have been made aware that if you have been confirmed with celiac's that you need to eliminate wheat, all wheat products, and all grains that contain gluten like barley and rye. Even oat unless it is stated it is gluten free.

If you have experienced some gluten intolerance in the past it is also best avoiding it with or without a confirmation of having celiac's.

Like all inflammatory food you'd get a delayed reaction which you have already experienced 2-3 days after. This is an indicator that your body doesn't want it.

Gluten also inhibits the absorption of the minerals iron and zinc as well as other vitamins.

• in reply toresearcherUK7 years ago

I have been off wheat for quite a few years on and off I actually went through a period where it didn’t affect me then bam it did

They did biopsy and said I didn’t not have celiac I try and avoid wheat as I believe I have a wheat intolerance the only time I avoid gluten is if it’s an item marked gluten and wheat free

But I still find having gluten and wheat free bread and biscuits bloats me a lot and gives wind but only have an upset stomach if had wheat

I have Tesco porridge oats for breakfast

researcherUK• in reply to7 years ago

The biopsies are not always a definitive diagnosis.

Since it wheat/gluten affected you, it is best to avoid it and totally 100% for your body to heal and for you to start feeling the benefits. I am personally not very fond of gluten-free bread and biscuits products. They are loaded with sugar and they are empty in terms of nutrition. Have good food that you can identify what it is like fruits, vegetables, good meat, fish, eggs. Bone broth is something to have daily (by boiling organic Chichen bones for a long time over slow heat. You can add vegetables and herbs for added flavour).

Nuts and seeds are good but at later stages when your guts have healed.

• in reply toresearcherUK7 years ago

It might be just wheat intolerance but seems strange I bloat easily

If I get no where with investigations then I get a list of stuff to avoid which is gluten as well and try it

But don’t want to try anything in case I get referred to a specialist re it

But thankyou will bear it in mind

I also drink soya unsweetened milk as in the past semi slimmed milk aggravated by ibs

researcherUK• in reply to7 years ago

If I may recommend that you please stop drinking soya milk and avoid any soya products. This is the worst thing for your thyroid and for your guts. Soy is one of many goitrogens which are a category of foods that include certain vegetables, fruits and that promote the formation of goiter, an enlarged thyroid. Soya has a definite antithyroid effect and appears to be able to slow thyroid function, and in some cases, trigger thyroid disease.

If you have plans for further gluten investigation; then, yes, you have no choice but to continue to consume gluten until the tests (blood test and further biopsies are done)

• in reply toresearcherUK7 years ago

Would soya affect my thyroid meds as I have no thyroid and my tsh is suppressed

• in reply toresearcherUK7 years ago

Would soya affect my thyroid meds as I have no thyroid and my tsh is suppressed

researcherUK• in reply to7 years ago

Good point!

Research has shown it has no effect on thyroid medication - Levo medicinenet.com/ask_can_soy...

For T3

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Progesterone levels and triiodothyronine are positively correlated in macaques. Dietary soy increases triiodothyronine in pre-ovariectomized monkeys and prevents a decline in thyroxine following surgical menopause. The outcomes observed in this study suggest soy protein and isoflavone consumption does not adversely affect and may even preserve thyroid function in postmenopausal women.

SlowDragonAdministrator7 years ago

Have you had vitamin D tested.

I saw on old post of your you have had low calcium in past. This can be due to low vitamin D. Improving vitamin D naturally increases calcium

Most thyroid patients tend to have low vitamin D as well as low ferritin, B12 and folate

Just vitamin D can test via vitamindtest.org.uk - £28 postal kit

Ask GP to test B12 and folate

Ferritin needs to be half way through range to help thyroid hormones work

If you like liver, eating once a week will help

See SeasideSusie reply to similar low ferritin

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I notice you were refused funding for T3 from Somerset CCG

You should put in complaint in writing to your GP practice.

See this about T3 from Patients Association

patients-association.org.uk...

Clutter can advise on this

GMC have issued guidelines I think that GP's should ignore CCG. They do not have power to stop GP prescribing

• in reply toSlowDragon7 years ago

Can’t remember when vitamin d last tested but at the time need d3 but couldn’t have it due to the alfacacidol I’m taking which don’t show on blood test and told to get more sunlight for d3

Waiting for printout of bloods to see what full blood count was

My new dr not helpful at mo

As for Somerset CCG every letter I get it says no evidence that t3 works therefore no funding

Everyone says can’t prescribe because of ccg there hands tied

Thank you that was interesting was seaside susie said

Starfish1237 years ago

Magnesium helps with headaches especially if you are deficient. I initially took it to help the thyroid and with vit d3 supplements. I’ve since discovered it helps with headaches and my blood pressure is now normal where before it was high and dr was looking at putting me on blood pressure tablets.

• in reply toStarfish1237 years ago

Thankyou I got magnesium oil to help with restless legs not used it for a while so I go back to using it

My headaches stoped last night what a relief

Wolfiesmom087 years ago

My ferritin was as low as your and I started taking iron and it did not help until I started taking digestive enzymes with HCL at every meal. Low stomach acid is a symptom of hasimoto that can leave you nutrient deficient

• in reply toWolfiesmom087 years ago

Don’t know what HCL is

I’m on three ompreazole aday as got Gerd and hiatus hernia and hearburn

Wolfiesmom08• in reply to7 years ago

It's stomach acid- here's some info

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

• in reply toWolfiesmom087 years ago

Omg a lot there I read it after my sleep

I don’t have Hashimoto but I’m assuming it could still relate to my stomach acid even thought got no thyroid

Sounds complicated

judburke• in reply to7 years ago

I suspect the ompreazole is part of the problem. There are many articles that say that PPIs cause an issue with gut absorption which might explain your low ferritin?

• in reply tojudburke7 years ago

I didn’t realise that

Got a copy of the letter sent by email to infusion dept today so left a message on secretary answerphone asking if an appt been made

A friend saw me today she a paramedic she convinced I’m anemic she notice I had a slight blue tinge to my lips and said I looked bloody alwful

judburke• in reply to7 years ago

Have a read about the side effects or ask the Dr. Good luck with the infusion

7 years ago

tpauk.com/main/article/low-...

7 years ago

The above link says about ferritin being between 70 and 90

7 years ago

So pleased to say when I rang the hospital they have now squeezed me in to have an iron transfusion Wednesday at 9.30am

• in reply to7 years ago

My gp rang me tonight and said it was a good job my endocrinologist picked up on my low ferritin levels and that the hospital are quick to get me in

He apologised that the receptionist had missed discuss with dr on the notes (d/w GP)

I told him about the thyroid patient advacapy quoted 70 - 90 ferritin levels for hypothyroid patients for thyroid meds to work he didn’t realise this and said I no longer be able to have iron tablets as it affect my thyroid meds

So it iron fusions till my levels get up to that range from 6

A blood test 4 weeks after iron fusion to see what my ferritin level is

He said I will feel so much better after iron fusion

7 years ago

Iron fusion went well we left two hrs prior appt to get to hospital as hitting work traffic. The hospital have agreed next appointment can be at a nearer hospital to me 30 mins away.

Fill in questionnaire how I was feeling I do another in 2 weeks the idea is if they see symptoms coming back they get me in for another fusion

Head nurse of fusions was not aware of the iron range for hypothyroid patients and took a copy of my sheet

She said we will make a note on your notes that your iron to be between 70 and 90

Have a blood test in a month to check my levels and was suggested my b12 and folate was checked and then after every month. It be very high too start with but will eventually come down if your dr or endo see its come down below that range we get you in for iron.

Still got bad headache. Had metallic taste in mouth whilst having iron administrated

Slept a lot today too but feel a huge weight been taken off my shoulders

7 years ago

Really disappointed as I’m still feeling exhausted and got mild headaches I was so hoping to be like tigger bouncing around full of energy by now

Has anyone else had iron fusion and how long till u felt improvement