I know this has been covered quite a bit, but I'm struggling to find it, as I'm not the best with the site's search feature.
I'm looking for a good ferritin supplement for someone whose ferritin is in the lower third of the range (decent brand and dose)?
I don't remember their level or the range, but it was about 1/4 through the range.
I use Solgar Gentle Iron. Kind on your tummy and always gets my levels back up x
Sounds ideal actually 
just one a day?
I am currently taking 2 as my levels had dropped quite low (I stupidly haven't supplemented for a few months) but I take 1 a day or every couple of days as a maintenance dose.
How low is your iron, if it's really low, take 7. I find Solgar doesn't do it for me, only thing that works is ProFerrin (hard to get, only from USA) or Blue Bonnet Chelated Iron on ebay. STTM iron pages will tell you how to take it.
Low Ferritin is best sorted by eating liver regularly (no more than 200g per week), liver pate, black pudding, plus other iron rich foods.
If you haven't had an iron panel then you won't know your serum iron level. If that is already pretty good then taking an iron supplement might take it over range.
I think they're vegetarian - is there any other way to get ferritin that doesn't come from meat?
They'd have to check for iron rich foods, but none come close to liver
apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/in...
Ok, I've suggested eating iron rich foods along with a vitamin C supplement for now thanks for the link!
My lively private GP told me to try eating watercress. A bag a day. I was dubious due to the low levels of iron compared to meat sources and because it it’s non heme. But after struggling to get my ferritin levels up with anything else after retesting it was working! I tried to eat with a vitamin c source and no calcium. It’s a bloody lot of watercress though and I couldn’t keep it up unfortunately and my levels fell again.
Trouble is liver is high in copper, known a few people get into a pickle with that, and messing up their copper levels.
It's high in Vit A as well, which is why it's suggested to limit it to no more than 200g per week. I raised my ferritin by eating 120-140g per week, so moderation with everything is key. Maybe your friends were eating more than the recommended amount. Or maybe they already had a high copper level.
Some people have an issue with copper already (I do, I have to have copper free supplements) so it's important people know that before taking high copper supplements.
Indeed it is important, people should look into these things to satisfy themselves that what they're taking is right for them. We're always saying here, test before supplementing.
I have just found Iron spray for the first time in Holland & Barrett (It’s the ‘Better You’ range and 4 sprays equal 5mg). It tastes horrible (!) despite the apple flavouring but some might like it and it’s supposed to be almost instant absorption. It does contain sorbitol which might not suit some. Another good natural way to take iron is the liquid Spatone (each pouch is 5mg) and the apple flavour is quite nice. Having lived on Ferrous Fumerate for years I am now trying lower dose, natural supplements and hoping to keep my ferritin up this way. Good luck 👍 !
Has the person had an iron panel done following on from their low ferritin test result? Their GP should have ordered this and prescribed iron with instructions to have repeat bloods done to monitor iron levels as taking too much iron can cause iron overload.
Most people with iron deficiency need 150-200 mg per day of elemental iron (2 to 5 mg of iron per kilogram of body weight per day). Your friend should ask their doctor how many milligrams of iron they should be taking per day for their particular deficiency.
Has any further tests been done to determine the cause of anaemia?
They aren't deficient, just low. But I'm aware that people feel better when iron levels are higher that these are.
Ah ok so person has had an iron panel done, that’s good.. I found spatone very good for raising my iron levels gently, it’s a liquid so can be put into orange juice which aids absorption
Sorry, no iron panel - the doctor didn't run one, because ferritin wasn't deficient, it was only low in the range.
I’ve slowly been moving my ferritin levels up under the guidance of an Endo. Unfortunately I couldn’t tolerate the various prescription meds that we kept trying. After researching alternatives myself I tried the Solgar gentle iron in combination with Maga Foods Blood Builder. That combination has worked perfectly for me, albeit slowly.... I’ve managed to move my ferritin from 7 into its 60’s. It took me around 6 months to get to those numbers. Still a long way to go but I’m delighted that my levels are finally moving in the right direction. P.S Don’t forget to take these supplements with a source of vitamin C.
Albion Ferrochel - particularly manufactured for people to be able to tolerate - I contacted the manufacturer because I read an article about it and couldn't find it anywhere so they gave me the name of UK distributors - don't be put off that it would seem to be body building sites etc that have it for sale - it is the genuine product I have checked with the manufacturer - see their website albionferrochel.com/
available at Reflex Nutrition
Hope this helps
You can get Ferrochel iron on Ebay and Amazon, Dr's Best make one, so do Pure Encapsulations. The best ones I've found are ProFerrin ES (not the folic acid one) and my favourite is Blue Bonnet Chelated Iron 27mg which works a treat.
My ferritin barely went up when I began taking an iron supplement but then it continued to rise as I used Betaine HCl stomach acid with digestive enzymes. But I have Hashimoto’s which sometimes people suffer from low stomach acid and poor digestion
Me too. I started to take iron tablets because my Ferritin was near the lowest bound. My iron increased but my Ferritin increased by about 2 points (i.e. no change). What I do not understand is that Ferritin is a blood cell protein that contains iron. It stores iron, it is not a "type" of iron. So why to we need high (or optimal) levels of Ferritin if our other types of iron are optimal? Maybe it acts as a capacitor, i.e. it smooths out the delivery of iron to the blood or other cells. I am really confused about iron.
Hey! This is the info I email my friends who have low ferritin issues like I did—website links don’t come through on healthunlocked, but you can google the names and buy anywhere. Hope this helps! I had my hair growing back in 2 months, instead of a year, which is how long it usually takes to get ferritin up “optimal” levels (40 to stop hair loss and 80 for re-growth to start—mine was at 17!!). Docs/labs will say 20 is a normal ferritin level, but as we know, there is a HUGE difference between “normal” and “optimal!” I have included the name of the one heme iron supplement I was able to find online (this is the type or iron that raises levels fastest).
Here is the “iron supplement cocktail” I used to get my iron (hgb, hct, and ferritin) back up to “optimal” in 2 months.
Take it all on empty stomach for best absorption—start with just Iron Bisglycate (gentlest on stomach), Vit C, Lysine, & Lactoferrin and then add the other supplements to the cocktail as your stomach can tolerate and only if your labs show you need it...everyone is different. You don’t want to get too MUCH iron either.
IRON BISGLYCINATE - I use Thorne Research - 25 mg Iron Supplement for Enhanced Absorption Without Gastrointestinal Side Effects - 60 Capsules
HEME IRON SUPPLEMENT—I use Proferrin ES Heme Iron Polypeptide Dietary Supplement Tablets, Blue/Green, 90 Count (the only otc heme iron supplement I could find, so I use it even though it has food coloring—yuck!)
FERROUS FUMARATE—I use Ferretts Iron tablets 325mg - 2 pack (120 total)
GRASS FED BEEF SPLEEN CAPSULES—I use Ancestral Supplements Grass Fed Beef Spleen (Desiccated) — Immune, Allergy, Iron (5 X's More Heme Iron Than Liver)
SUPPLEMENTS TO TAKE *WITH* IRON TO INCREASE ABSORPTION (from my own research on PubMed—always recommend doing your own research):
LACTOFERRIN—I use Jarrow’s “IronSorb + Lactoferrin” (this product also has some iron in it), but they’ve been out if stock recently so I just get whatever Lactoferrin I can find online.
LYSINE —I use Designs for Health 1500mg L-Lysine HCL Capsules - Amino Acid for Muscle Support (120 Capsules) b/c this brand has the highest amount per capsule, but any brand will do.
VITAMIN C — Any brand. I use one with 1000 mg per capsule: Viva Naturals Premium Non-GMO Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids & Rose Hips, 1000 mg, 250 Veg Caps.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR—I take capsules, b/c I can’t stand the taste of the liquid form. I use Nutricost Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules 500mg, 240 Veggie Capsules - Extra Strength, Non-GMO and Gluten Free
HCL + PEPSIN for those with low stomach acid—Hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) is generally *low* in people who are hypothyroid. This lowers vitamin/mineral absorption, including iron. You can take Betaine HCL w/ Pepsin supplements with meals to remedy this problem. I use NutriCost brand, but any will do as long as it has both HCL + Pepsin.
WHAT *NOT* TO TAKE WITH IRON (will impede absorption) from my compiled research—list is long, which is why I take my iron on an empty stomach mid-morning before breaking my fast around 1 pm:
When iron is combined with certain foods it may lose much of its value. If you are taking iron, the following foods should be avoided, or only taken in very small amounts, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take your iron supplements or an iron-rich meal.
CALCIUM — Inhibits absorption of both non-heme and heme iron. Found in foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, sardines, canned salmon, tofu, broccoli, almonds, figs, turnip greens and rhubarb. 50 mg or less of calcium has little effect on iron absorption, calcium, but amounts as much as 300-600 mg inhibit iron absorption greatly (e.g., 1 cup of skim milk has about 300 mg of calcium).
ANTACIDS or PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS—take 1 to 2 hours apart. Medications that reduce the amount of acid in the stomach can lead to hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid). Low stomach acid reduces absorption of all nutrients, including iron.
EGGS contain a phosphoprotein called phosvitin, which has an iron binding capacity that impairs iron absorption. One boiled egg can reduce absorption of iron in a meal by as much as 28%.
PHYTATES — Compounds contained in soy protein and fiber. Even low levels (about 5 % of the amounts in cereal whole flours) have a strong inhibitory effect on iron bioavailability, reducing iron absorption by 50-65%. Phytates are found in walnuts, almonds, sesame, dried beans, lentils and peas, and cereals & whole grains.
TANNIC ACID—In foods like coffee (1 cup can inhibit iron absorption by as much as 60%.), tea, wine, chocolate, legumes, some fruits (e.g., apples, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries), nuts (e.g., walnuts), some spices, & grains.
OXALATES—Impair absorption of nonheme iron. In foods such as spinach, kale, beets, nuts, chocolate, tea, wheat bran, rhubarb, strawberries, and herbs such as oregano, basil, and parsley. The oxalates in spinach explain why the iron in spinach is not well absorbed.
POLYPHENOLS—Major inhibitors of iron absorption. In cocoa, coffee, certain teas (e.g., peppermint and some herbal teas), apples, and some herbs. Can inhibit up to 90% of iron.
Hope that helps!
Thanks, that's really good information I'm glad it helped your hair grow back so quickly!
Are you in the UK, I can't get Proferrin anymore here? Where do you get it from?
Amazon (online). I’m in the US.
Ah right, I'm UK, I can't get it here anymore, really frustrating as it's brilliant.
I am so sorry Girlscout2! That’s really frustrating. Given that it’s well-known that heme iron is MUCH better absorbed than non-heme-iron, I can’t believe there aren’t more supplements with it available! Can you get the Ancestral Health Beef Spleen capsules in the UK (mentioned in my list above)? I also bought those on Amazon (US). They are a source of heme iron too, apparently...and the spleen capsules lack copper (their beef liver capsules DO contain copper)—important detail for those of us who are also dealing with copper toxicity (which ironically causes anemia, hypothyroidism, etc).
Yeah got copper issues, I can look and see if I can get it, I use Blue Bonnet Chelated Iron which is excellent but nothing hit the spot like Proferrin did, I'll look for beef spleen thank you!
Hello - i'm also in the UK, and also looking for Ancestral Health Beef Spleen + Proferrin. Can't seem to find it, except for extortionate prices... Did you have any luck sourcing some, and where from ? I'd be grateful for any info. Many thanks
Hi I am Hypothyroid, with very low ferritin / iron levels. Haven't yet chosen how to start increasing these levels... Please could you tell me the connection with copper? do we need more copper or less? I'd be so grateful x
Lol, I was glad it helped my hair grow back too! That was NOT a good look. Happy to help a fellow ferritin seeker—so great to be able to share research here! Best of luck to you!
I tried iron capsules (Thorne iron bisglycinate) for 6 months with no change in my low ferritin. I switched to Spatone sachets & NovaFerrum 125 liquid iron. I take one on some days & the other, on the other days. My ferritin jumped 20 points in 8 weeks. Both of those products are on Amazon.
Blue Bonnet Chelated Iron 27mg from Ebay, if your ferritin is in your boots take 7 a day. Take well away from thyroid meds.
I use Ferrous Gluconate 300mg (600mg every other day) taken with vit c on empty stomach (nothing 2 hours either side).
Ferritin
Ferritin
Ferritin Levels
Low serum ferritin, but iron tests normal?
