low ferritin symptoms: hi there. Wanted to know... - Thyroid UK

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low ferritin symptoms

Hopeful129 profile image
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hi there. Wanted to know what kind of symptoms people have had with low ferritin. I have terrible muscle twitches, bad at night and am increasingly sluggish. Iron levels normal but ferritin 23 (30-150), folate 31.9 (8.83-60.8), vit b12 active 73 (37.5-188), D 98 (50-250)

Predictably doctor was unconcerned about ferritin levels saying they were almost in range so fine! Just wanted to know if people managed to increase ferritin and it helped with symptoms.

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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Predictably doctor was unconcerned about ferritin levels saying they were almost in range so fine!

That's so annoying. Maybe next time counter that with

"But why is there a reference range if you're going to ignore it? Surely the range has an upper and lower limit for a reason."

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

How about the rest of your iron panel, "normal" doesn't mean optimal. Optimal iron panel levels according to rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_... are:

Serum iron

• 55 to 70% of the range

• higher end for men

TIBC (total iron binding capacity) or Transferrin

• Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron

• High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron

Saturation

• optimal is 35 to 45%

• higher end for men

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

The following symptoms are often associated with low ferritin levels:

Shortness of breath.Irritability.

Dizziness.

Unexplained fatigue.

Ringing in your ears.

Pale, dry skin.

Heart palpitations.

Increased hair shedding.

Under 30 ferritin is deficiency. You might want to arrange an iron panel. Private option with Monitor my health if Doctor doesn’t. Test first as iron supplements shouldn’t be taken without checking. Possible to have low stores (ferritin) but high iron (serum iron),

I’ve learnt that muscle twitching is often associated with low magnesium levels.  

I previously suffered from twitching round eye.

I began taking magnesium as I have a number of other conditions suggesting low magnesium a common factor (migraine, diabetes, propranolol use & long term untreated hyperthyroid).

The twitching greatly reduced.  I initially used Bisglycinate magnesium which was good but now use powdered citrate magnesium (some find high doses can upset stomach - or helps with constipation) and it’s best taken a night time as is said to help with relaxation & sleep.  

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