Ferritin of 56

[Boon79]

I was taking iron tablets for anaemia for a few months, and when I was re-tested recently my ferritin was 56.

The GP advised me that I was no longer anaemic and to stop the iron.

I am extremely tired and I have diffuse hair loss. I have started taking a maintenance dose of ferrous sulphate again and feel slightly better.

Is a level of 56 too low?

I currently take Armour and a small amount of levothyroxine and my recent blood results were optimal. TSH 1 and T3 in upper range with T4 middle range.

I was also diagnosed with Vitiligo recently.

[Cola4444]

Sounds very similar to me... with fatigue. Also on NDT & T3 Upper but T4 only 16%. Will try do same as you and add some Levo / T4.

I'm wondering of we need Ferritin higher than non Hashi's people.

Interested in the replies here.

Thanks for posting 👍🏼

[Boon79 in reply to Cola4444]

It feels like a constant battle.I have started taking 1 ferrous sulphate tablet a day and I do feel better. I think us hypothyroid people suffer from low vitamin levels.

I am recently strictly gluten free which I hope will help with better absorption of vitamins.

[Cola4444 in reply to Boon79]

I was diagnosed one year ago... been strict gluten free and i'm sure its helped with inflammation of the gut & absorption. So yes worth it IMO.

Agree that its a battle of Thyroid hormone levels, other hormones & the vitamins that seem to get depleted / used up in our situation.

[Boon79 in reply to Cola4444]

I take vitamin D spray every morning and magnesium in the evening. I take the iron just before dinner.I am hoping that the iron will make me feel better soon!

[Akashrajput in reply to Boon79]

What's your iron level

[Boon79 in reply to Akashrajput]

No clue because the GP told me to stop taking iron as my ferritin was 56z

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Boon79]

Boon79

When prescribing iron tablets, doctor should monitor levels so rather than just testing ferritin an iron panel should be done which will include Serum Iron, Transferrin Saturation % and TIBC. If Serum Iron and Transferrin Saturation are at good levels then continuing iron tablets will take them too high and you would need to try and raise ferritin through an iron rich diet which may not affect the other levels.

According to some experts, ferritin levels of at least 40 ng/ml are required to stop hair loss, while levels of at least 70 ng/ml are needed for hair regrowth. The optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is between 90-110 ng/ml.

[Cola4444 in reply to Boon79]

Interesting... thank you.

I take two x5mg Ferritin mid afternoon with orange juice & eat liver twice a week.

ADK in the mornings & zinc with breakfast.

Good B-complex after breakfast.

Magnesium with evening dinner.

B1 (Benfotiamine) & a good methyl B12 are the real energy boosters IMO... with D, Folate, Ferritin in good range.

[Akashrajput in reply to Cola4444]

Nice

[Wired123]

Ferritin is the store, some people have smaller stores and this is genetic.

What is key is the Serum Iron level and Haemoglobin (also know as the fire).

If the fire is burning well then you have adequate storage, it’s when the storage is low the fire burns less and then you do need to supplement.

I would keep monitoring and making sure you have enough iron in your body but Ferritin is not the be all and end all.

If the GP won’t order tests then consider private by post, but normally GPS back down as they don’t have the time to argue!

Hair will take some time to recover, 3-6 months from what I’ve seen.