Can normal iron levels but low ferritin have symptoms?

[Plato38]

I just had my iron and ferritin levels checked due to extreme fatigue and brain fog. Which oddly lifts by noonish. My iron is normal, ferritin is 17. Can my fatigue and brain fog be from a ferritin level of 17 with normal iron levels?

[humanbean]

Being told that a blood test result for iron is "normal" just means that the result is within the reference range that is usually supplied with the result.

Just being in range doesn't guarantee that the patient feels well. There is a difference between being "normal" and being "optimal", and optimal is much to be preferred.

Can you give us the actual iron result you were given and the reference range, and also the same for ferritin (iron stores)?

It is unlikely that a ferritin result of 17 is anywhere near optimal, and you would feel better if you could improve it. But we would need your results and ranges to confirm that.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have a thyroid problem?

Are you vegetarian or vegan?

Low ferritin is a common problem

Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption

List of iron rich foods

dailyiron.net

Links about iron and ferritin

irondisorders.org/too-littl...

davidg170.sg-host.com/wp-co...

Great in-depth article on low ferritin

oatext.com/iron-deficiency-...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Plato38

Can normal iron levels but low ferritin have symptoms?

The answer is yes but it would be a good idea to post all the results with their reference ranges.

From: drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...

Symptoms of low ferritin include:

◾Weakness

◾Fatigue

◾Difficulty concentrating

◾Poor work productivity

◾Cold hands and feet

◾Poor short-term memory

◾Difficulty remembering names

◾Dizziness

◾Pounding in the ears

◾Shortness of breath

◾Brittle nails

◾Headaches

◾Restless legs

Low ferritin can suggest iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia, but you can have anaemia without iron deficiency so have you also had a full blood count?