Low iron and hair thinning drastically

Low iron at level 9 (20-130) been given ferrous sulphate 200mg X3 a day....how long will it take to boost up and help with my hair loss?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

10kelly10

As mentioned in reply to your post yesterday, it will take many months for tablets to raise ferritin level, which is why I said an iron infusion would have been better as that would take 24-48 hours.

You said yesterday your level was 19 not 9.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Sorry I meant 19 and I don’t think my dr will allow me that or she would of mentioned it I would of thought

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

10kelly10

Your result is under range. I think it's perfect acceptable to ask for an iron infusion. Many doctors don't offer things, they're saving their surgery money, but if you mention it then it might be considered.

3 x iron tablets is the standard treatment for iron deficiency anaemia. Did you have a full blood count and iron panel? The full blood count would show if you had iron deficiency anaemia.

You should also be monitored to see if there is adequate response to the treatment.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

I will go to doctors tomorrow and get a print out and see what they tested for regarding my iron and yeah am sure I had a full blood count done again and I will post results and yes I agree anything to save money , what would I be looking for regarding the panel?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

10kelly10

Look particularly at

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) - this may be decreased with iron deficiency

Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH)- this may be low in iron deficiency

Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) - this may be low when MCV is low, and decreased MCHC values are seen in conditions in iron deficiency anemia

and the table of iron panel test results in this link shows the different conditions linked to various results from an iron panel

irondisorders.org/Websites/...

[Angel_of_the_North]

It took 6 months on that level of ferrous fumarate to get my ferritin from 11 to 38, but it is a very individual thing.

[judburke]

It can take a while for ferritin levels to improve and then a few weeks longed for symptoms to improve. Try taking Vit C at the same time as the iron as this helps improve absorption and makes it more gentle on the gut.

I would also ask your Dr to investigate/explain why your iron/ferritin is so low. Low iron can be an indicator of a gut absorption problem such as Coeliac.