ferritin serum iron

[Topes009]

Hi all,

hoping someone can clarify for me what serum iron actually is? I have asked the GP if they test for this and not sure they understand.

I understand ferritin is the store of iron, my level is 26 range was 30 - 300 but has changed to 11 -300. Either way it is too low and has dropped from 44 last September to this level.

Haemoglobin concentration is 119 (120 - 150)

Haemocrit 0.359 (0.37 - 0.45)

Folate. 4.4 (3.0 -20.0)

Free t3 5.9

Free t4 23.5 (suggests not converting well?)

Tsh <0.02 (they want to reduce thyroxine) on Levo only 150mcg daily

vit b12 274.

My question is what is serum iron and why don’t gps or nurses understand when I ask about that test?

I have hashis (thyroid removed years ago), always struggled with aneamia as a child and am pescatarian.

looking at the results I think I am borderline anaemic and ferritin is much too low, I get breathless and am very tired. Feel light headed at times and look very pale.

thanks in advance

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Topes009

My question is what is serum iron and why don’t gps or nurses understand when I ask about that test?

This article explains the tests that are included an iron panel:

webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/iro...

Serum iron: This test measures the amount of iron in your blood.

Serum ferritin: This test measures how much iron is stored in your body. When your iron level is low, your body will pull iron out of “storage” to use.

Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC): This test tells how much transferrin (a protein) is free to carry iron through your blood. If your TIBC level is high, it means more transferrin is free because you have low iron.

Unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC): This test measures how much transferrin isn’t attached to iron.

Transferrin saturation: This test measures the percentage of transferrin that is attached to iron.

I don't know why your GP and nurses don't understand what these tests are.

I understand ferritin is the store of iron, my level is 26 range was 30 - 300 but has changed to 11 -300.

From: cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...

In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency.

So ideally with your level your GP should do an iron panel to confirm iron deficiency and the full blood count will show if there is anaemia.

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

Symptoms of iron deficiency:

◾Persistent fatigue

◾Pale skin

◾Shortness of breath

◾Headaches

◾Dizziness

◾Heart palpitations

◾Dry skin

◾Brittle hair and hair loss

◾Swelling or soreness of the tongue or mouth

◾Restless legs

◾Brittle or ridged nails

Haemoglobin concentration is 119 (120 - 150)

Haemocrit 0.359 (0.37 - 0.45)

These two results are below range and iron deficiency causes low haemoglobin and low haematocrit and may suggest anaemia. Here are a couple of articles about this:

verywellhealth.com/hematocr...

webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/und...

Folate. 4.4 (3.0 -20.0)

This is low. Folate is recommended to be at least half way through range so that would be 11.5 plus with that range. This requires supplementation but not yet - see below **

vit b12 274.

This is low but it would help to have the unit of measurement for this test.

Do you have any signs of B12 deficiency – check here:

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

b12d.org/submit/document?id=46

If you do then list them to discuss with your GP and ask for testing for B12 deficiency and Pernicious Anaemia. **Do not take any B12 supplements or folic acid/folate/B Complex supplements before further testing of B12 as this will mask signs of B12 deficiency and skew results and if you have B12 deficiency and it is not detected and treated then this could affect your nervous system. B12 deficiency should be treated before starting folic acid because folic acid can sometimes improve your symptoms so much that is masks B12 deficiency.

[Topes009 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie. I take a multi b vit that contains bs 1,2, 5, 6, 12 folate and niacin already, have done for about 5 months. The only symptom from the B12 deficiency list I have is cramp, I get this at any time but mostly at night.

I will ask the GP for an iron panel test and a Vit B12 deficiency test to be on the safe side, if she’ll do it.

Historically I have found GPS are not bothered about low ferritin or haemoglobin if it just over or even just under the lower threshold.

I have some iron tablets (14mg) that I have taken sporadically over the last few weeks/months. I think I shall start taking those regularly until the GP appt.