Low ferritin and cognition, does it make you feel foggy?

[TiggerMe]

Has anyone experienced a drop in cognition when ferritin levels have dropped?

I was feeling mentally sharp a few weeks ago, not that my ferritin was particularly high (28th Oct 67.5ug/L range 13-150) but I'm aware of a foggyness returning... I now know my ferritin has dropped back, as previous blood test suggested over supplementing

(TRANSFERRIN SATURATION 28 Oct 2022 55.7% 20 - 50 R), had been taking 20mg heme iron daily, along side chicken liver pate twice a week, so I cut out the heme and ferritin dropped back to 29 ng/ml [10 - 300] 15th Nov

Also, why do Medichecks use 13-150 whereas NHS use 10-300?

B12, folate and Vit D at top of range

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Discussion re Medichecks range here

Ferritin range on Medichecks 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

We have received further information the lab about ferritin reference ranges. They confirm that they are sex dependent up to the age of 60, then beyond the age of 60 the reference range is the same for both sexes: 

Males 16-60: 30-400 ug/L

Female's: 16-60: 30-150

Both >60: 30-650 

The lower limit of 30 ug/L is in accordance with the updated NICE guidance and the upper limits are in accordance with guidance from the Association of Clinical Biochemists. ‘

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Eeyore100

Also, why do Medichecks use 13-150 whereas NHS use 10-300?

If the lab that processes Medichecks tests is Eurofins County Pathology the range is 13-150 (I believe if they use The Doctor's Laboratory the range is also that).

If they use their new lab INUVI then it's the new ranges which Slow Dragon mentions.

My NHS results always come back with a range of 15-300 regardless of whether it's male or female (pre or post menopause).

[arTistapple]

Eeyore100 my ferritin is always very high and I still suffer cognitive stuff. I have cut back on red meat and it is very slowly dropping. So as we all know there is a certain amount of difference in each of us but I so feel for your ‘sharpness’.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to arTistapple]

Thankyou 🤗 I think I have probably dropped my T3 a little low or splitting the dose is less effective... but as I see my ferritin had bombed I wondered... It's such a moving target 😕 but I know I can do better as I glimpsed it for a couple of weeks 🙏⛅

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to arTistapple]

Is your high ferritin inflammation related do you think or are you good at absorbing iron?

[arTistapple in reply to TiggerMe]

Like you I know I can feel better but usually for short periods. It makes me feel if I could get the correct meds I can improve, hopefully for longer periods. If I can be good at absorbing iron that would be good but nothing definitive. I am assured no haemochromotosis but they are still checking. Much more likely associated with inflammation of ? don’t know what. I remember giving birth and they were shocked at the amount of blood loss but contrarily I did not need a transfusion so it’s been around for nearly fifty years likely.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to arTistapple]

I think inflammation goes hand in hand with autoimmune issues, finding what causes the inflammation is an endless game 😕

You obviously excel in making blood! Mine is a sorry excuse but starting to show improvement 🙏

[humanbean]

When my iron and/or ferritin is low I get lots of problems with brain fog, and always have done.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to humanbean]

Interesting thanks, I'm going to boost the ferritin for the next couple of weeks to see if that gets me moving in the right direction before tampering with anything else 🤗