I think this is my iron store so it’s clearly deficient. I’ve struggled with anaemia since I was about 18 (maybe before but no cause before then for a blood test it was discovered when I became a donor) No one has ever given me a reason for this! And I didn’t become a vegetarian til my late 20s.
I used to take floradix but recently someone told me that was rubbish. Prescribed iron was always useless for me. I couldn’t absorb it and it messed with my gut/bowel.
what do others take to help this level go up please? 💜
Written by
Starseed56
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
This is a summary of what I have read up and found out about iron supplements over the past few years. I am not in any way medically trained. You are strongly encouraged to check every detail before making any decisions for yourself.
Serum ferritin level is the biochemical test, which most reliably correlates with relative total body iron stores. In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency.
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing. It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron …..though unlikely if vegetarian
Test early morning, only water to drink between waking and test. Avoid high iron rich dinner night before test
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
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. ‘
Yet our bodies are all different with varying needs throughout time and some have absorption issues, not anaemia but iron deficiency without anaemia (IDWA) as mentioned in one of those articles, which makes things more complicated, especially with other deficiencies like B12 and folate in the mix.
I had a significant iron deficiency with ferritin of 41, which dropped to 30 within a month, and a transferrin saturation of 18%. As mentioned, supplementation didn't get my levels up very far nor did they reverse that decline. An iron infusion was my only option, despite not being deemed deficient by guidelines focused on anaemia.
I too had been deficient for years and taking iron tablets didn't get my levels high enough. If absorption is the yet unidentified culprit, then an infusion might be your best way forward. Did you have a full iron panel done? This will give a clearer picture and you could take your results to an iron expert for advice, which is what I did in the end.
Yes I think it was quite comprehensive. All ok except for ferritin very low and serum iron level which was higher than parameter! Where do we stop paying for “experts”? Am just starting Quinton’s hypertonic for adrenal fatigue which undoubtedly I have. Private gp has now asked I do a cortisol test tho I’ve read they’re unreliable. Some doctors still so hooked on tests rather than how patient feels!
I think IDWA may be me as my haemoglobin was ok. Back to more reading. 😳💜
My haemoglobin was just above the guideline (1 digit!) threshold for an iron infusion on the NHS, despite my other results saying otherwise, but that was all they considered, so I had to go privately. IDWA was deffo my case.
I've found lamb liver and heme iron combined with iron bisglycinate to be the most helpful. I've struggled with gastritis and other digestive issues for a few yrs and have found Optifera, 3 Arrows and Thorne to be gentle on my stomach
Thanks liver would be a step too far right now having been veggie nearly 40 years I’ve been eating beef since the start of 2023! Three arrows seems to be from US only? 💜
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
ERFA & Fertility/ Pregnancy 
NDT Erfa not working - help? 
Increased heart rate on Erfa
Overdose on erfa thyroid meds 
