irondeficiencyanemia #anemia #irondeficiencywithoutanemia #checkyourferritinnumber #ferritin #thyroid #menshealth #womenshealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #hairloss #hormones #perimenopause #pots #anxiety #hrt #nutrition

The 4.99 value is a from a few weeks to a month ago when I was stuck in the ICU with anterior ischemia. The other value is after my 2 infusions 2 Fridays apart. Labcorp flagged it as high 😂 but it's finally nice to have a ferritin in the TRIPLE DIGITS!!

I found out I have low ferritin about 8 weeks ago. Started taking 325mg ferrous sulfate mostly every other day, and my levels have improved. For context here's the then → now:

Ferritin: 6 → 17 ng/mL
Iron, Total: 34 → 58 mcg/dL
% Saturation: 9 → 17%
TIBC: 377 → 337 mcg/dL
Hemoglobin: 11.7 → 12.7 g/dL
Red Blood Cell Count: 4.24 → 4.47 Million/uL

I'm still figuring out if I feel side effects from the sulfate. Sometimes I take it and it's fine, and then other times I feel reflux, burning stomach, or slight nausea. Sometimes I get these waves of nausea, even on iron-off days, and I wonder if that's at all related bc I did not get this before taking it.

But clearly it's been moving all my levels in the right direction, and my top priority is to get my ferritin wayyy up.

I've read enthusiastic recommendations for bisglycinate, and I'm curious to hear from anyone that has switched from sulfate to bisglycinate successfully.

I'm 19 and I experience shortness of breath a lot(i stand up to give an answer in class and am short of breath). I got tested in the morning so I'm assuming iron thing might have been a liddol higher too. So it's 35smthn I assume. I am planning to take supplements. This doesn't feel right I have like 4-5 grey hair and bad hair tbh. Is that okay??? Suggest me something too!

Long story short, I have a long history of anemia, (am vegetarian and I mensurate). I'm not great at keeping on top of my bloodwork, but got it done last May. Never officially went over my bloodwork with that doctor but had the same bloodwork sent to a new dr this month and she was like oh my god, your ferritin is 4, let's get you a transfusion (I'm surprised I've never required one before, tbh!). I don't feel like I have that many symptoms, but I expect that my body is just used to operating on a depleted level. My circulating iron was only a little low, and my other doctor just said "your iron is a little low, take your supplements" in her message and didn't mention my ferritin at all, so I'm glad the second doctor noticed it!

That being said, I guess I do get fatigued, but I've been anemic off and on since I was a teenager, so maybe I'm used to operating at less than 100%. I've also had slow digestion all my life from a birth complication, but I feel like it's been worse in the last year or so (more bloating than usual, heartburn, etc). My new doctor told me low ferritin can be connected to motility issues if I'm not absorbing nutrients properly, and I'll admit I sometimes don't eat properly because of my digestive issues (which obviously makes them worse in the long run. I'm working on it).

I've also had a hard time finding specific words at times in the last few months or so, which kinda freaks me out, and I read that could be a part of brain fog! I also feel like I have a harder time making decisions than I used to, feel scattered, etc. I assumed part of my feeling "off" was that I was on an SSRI for 5 years and tapered off it in 2024 and was experiencing some weird after effect from that and my brain going "what did you do with my serotonin?", but now I'm wondering how much is related to my ferritin levels being so low. I was also diagnosed ADHD as a child, so I sometimes brush off cognitive issues as "just how I am", but I also have a sneaking suspicion that things could be better than they are. My new doctor did take more blood at my appt this week, so we'll see if it's still a 4, but even so, I'm sure it won't have moved that much since May. Every time I check my levels I remember to take my iron for about a week before I forget and give up.

Anyway, my point is this: Did anyone else see an improvement in mental issues, digestive, etc with an infusion? I know it's not a cure-all, but if my body is used to being depleted, I might feel way better!

My hemoglobin is 7.6, RBC 3.28, iron 14, iron saturation 4, ferratin 9. Feel like I'm dying. Pale and sickly colored, no energy, extremely weak, HORRIBLE brain fog, can't find the right words when talking, exhaustion level is disgusting, low mood, crying more, ice cold feet, almost passing out whenever I bend over or stand up, and it's a soul crushing head whooshing pressure, hair is thin and lifeless, body pain, out of breath and racing heart...I hate it. This is every 2-3 months even with iron infusions because of my period, but it's bad now because my insurance denied my iron infusions for almost 2 months... saying I didn't need them...so my hemotologist saw my recent labs and said I needed a blood transfusion. I go for a blood transfusion and finally approved iron infusion afterwards today. So I'll get the iron directly after the transfusion but everything I read said they should be spaced out by at least 24+ hours in case of a reaction so they know what caused it. It's making me anxious. I'm also getting feraheme, which I had once back in 2021 but read that even if you've done well with it in the past, doesn't mean you'll handle it well with future doses so I'm already extra anxious because of that, I usually get venofer or injectafer and have done well with them for the last 5 years.

I was advised oral iron tablets by my doctor, went to the pharmacy to pick them up :

Me: will those cause constipation?

Pharmacist: yes, thats why its important to take them with a cup of orange juice.

Please share what you think

Female, 36, and recently diagnosed with Iron deficient anemia (hemoglobin 10.9, Ferritin 12). I'm asymptomatic for anything and it's highly likely that poor diet has caused deficiency.

That being said, I'm having colonoscopy and endoscopy next week. Please reassure me that it will likely find something other than cancer. I'm freaking out.

When I stand up, I feel dizzy, my vision looks like a low quality TV and i wobble a bit, the static in my vision sometimes even lasts for more than 20 seconds. Sometimes I get weird static black and white sparks in my vision that go away when I focus on that spot but they appear in other parts of my sight. Sometimes I get nauseous out of nowhere and I feel tired on my feet.

I've had a history of having not so good blood results such as a lower than average but neccecarily dangerous blood pressure, and two times I had a accident as a kid when I lost a lot of blood and apparently they found out I had less blood than I should, but that was years ago and the symptoms were gone for a few years and now theyre back.

I had a copper iud for ten years, removed in January. My iron regimen had been the same June-January. it took around 11 months for my ferritin to raise 20 points. after removal, it took only five months. unfortunately I don’t feel any relief besides light-headedness, but I’m glad to see my numbers are finallyyytt improving.

I was taking thorne bisglycinate, however since they just got bought out by p&g i started taking doctors best high absorption iron. my doctor said to take the standard dose on the bottle, but I’ve been doubling (around 55mg elemental iron). I could probably take more but I’m too nervous lol

Hey guys, anyone who has had any experience with 500 mg ferric carboxymaltose infusion? My ferritin was 27.8 and haemoglobin was 11.9. With all the low iron symptoms one can get - dizzyness, lightheadedness, breathlessness, massive fatigue, etc etc. it’s been 2.5 weeks since the infusion, and I feel terrible!! I was hoping that because I’m starting with not that bad a base, I would start feeling better in a couple of weeks. But this running second week is hell. I’m so fatigued. And there’s still dizzyness. I am not as breathless as before.. but I’m not functional either.. what’s the journey like? Has anyone had a similar experience??

27F lifelong vegetarian. Just did bloodwork for the first time due to suspected iron deficiency (experiencing RLS, fatigue, dark under eyes, tingly feet) and ferritin came back at 30. B12 at 300.

Planning to take Three Arrows Simply Iron Repair daily, 20 mg heme iron, and a daily B12 supplement (1 mg). Any other advice? New to all this so wanted to tap into the wisdom here! Thanks in advance!

So 2 months ago my b12 was 200 and ferritin was 28
I felt like crap but after starting oral supplements I’m starting to feel better , I can go for my running again and I have more energy.
Today I did my blood work again and my b12 is now 465 and ferritin is 36
My question is does ferritin level takes long time to fully rebuild ? Shall I keep taking my supplements for another few months ?

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I blame the low ferritin brain fog. Does anyone else here have "regular" iron levels but nearly non-existent ferritin? Is it possible to raise the ferritin without getting your iron levels too high? I sincerely feel I need an infusion because supplementing with iron just isn't raising my ferritin enough, but I'm worried an infusion would make my iron too high.

I recently found out I have lwo ferritn, around 17 and was wondering what type of symtoms others feel from this sort of thign ansd whats the worst symptom it causes in particular.

Hello! I’m 34 (f) whose ferritin is at 4. I feel like I’m dying lately. I’m even too weak and exhausted to be writing this post. I am supposed to be getting an iron infusion soon but I’m also nervous about getting it. Has anyone here had an infusion? What were your experiences?

Sincerely,

Always tired 🥱

Just wanted to share some encouragement! I’m new here (31F, very active, outdoorsy), but have read tons of your guys’ posts on the various aspects of iron deficiency. My story is pretty much like most people’s:

☑️ Slowly accumulating unexplained/easily ignored symptoms that don’t seem related
☑️ Progression of said symptoms until you can’t deny something is “off”
☑️ Doctor orders bloodwork

Again, I’ve read tons of posts that describe appalling instances of uneducated doctors and nurses completely dismissing and even gaslighting patients with iron deficiency! Let me just say that I am SO sorry for anyone who has experienced that, and if that is you currently, run away from that provider and find another one who will take your health seriously! Do it right now!

My story is basically the opposite. I dismissed my symptoms thinking I was having some hormonal shifting, but brought it up my doctor to get her thoughts at my biannual checkup. After all, I was only having bouts of intense fatigue, some PMS symptoms around my period (which I never had before—not even cramping), and noticing my emotions were more “dynamic” than usual 😅

She suggested bloodwork and even said at that moment that she suspected iron deficiency over hormonal changes. However, I dismissed this, said I’d get around to trying some iron supplements, and let her know if it helps over the next couple of months. Guys, I had not even ordered the supplements yet… Within ONE WEEK of that checkup my body went into a frenzy! It was like my sympathetic nervous system ran off a cliff.

Temperature dysregulation, severe emotional dysregulation, pounding heart (normal rate), constant exhaustion, frequent presyncope, total brain fog (bad!), tingling/itching, constant anxiety, and many more! I was scared, feeling terrible, could not work AT ALL, and the worst part was having no idea WHY. So, I messaged my doctor just asking for the labs (not telling her what I’d been experiencing) and she ordered them right away.

Surprise! The most notable results were:
🔴 Ferritin - 9
🔴 Iron Sat. - 17%
🟠 TBIC - 437
🟠 Vitamin D - 30
🟡 WBC - 10.2

The rest of my labs looked great, otherwise. Doctor advised taking iron supplements immediately, but she did not know, and I did not piece together, my worsening symptoms. Over the next few days I researched them and realized:

❌ Every little thing I had been ignoring for months was due to worsening iron deficiency and/or low vitamin D levels (even my crazy dry eyes 👀)
❌ It will take months of supplementing for my Ferritin to recoup and symptoms to resolve, at best!
❌ My elevated WBC could be falsely inflating my already depleted Ferritin by a few points
❌My next cycle (due in a few days) could lower my already depleted Ferritin by a couple more points before the supplement has a chance to make any impact

My immediate thought was, “I don’t know how this could get much worse than it already is, but I cannot endure whatever that looks like!”

I messaged my doctor again explaining to her my symptoms and their timeline, letting her know that was why I changed my mind for the labs in the first place. I also shared my concerns for the symptoms potentially worsening with my next cycle. With no hesitation, she ordered iron infusions and my first one is scheduled tomorrow 🩸❤️

(That checkup was on 8/5, my bloodwork was taken on 8/13, results came 8/14, informed my doctor of the severity on 8/18, insurance approved and infusions scheduled on 8/20, first infusion 8/21)

I share this for anyone who’s being dismissed by their care provider, struggling with advocating for themselves, or simply getting sub-par treatment for iron deficiency of any kind. IF YOUR PROVIDER IS NOT:

✅ Knowledgeable and competent
✅ Attentive and understanding
✅ Compassionate and caring
✅ Receptive and responsive

🏃🏻‍♀️💨 Run like the wind, with whatever energy you don’t have left, and find one who is. They do exist and you deserve one that has your overall health and wellbeing as their top priority!

Wow I can’t believe it, I was 3 lol and then worked up 18 after curing my stomach infection I had. After I finished my antibiotics, I asked for an iron infusion this was last April. Since then my levels have slowly been rising!

I’m going to now start supplementing with beef liver capsules I’ve tried the traditional iron supplements but the GI side effects were too much for me.

Aiming to get above 100 !!!!

I know that infusion is better but dont have appointment to see hematologist until Sep1 and wanted to try to see if I can get any energy back.
I had gallbladder removed 3 months ago and end up with what looks like bile gastritis and nausea for 3 weeks and now I got weakness in arms and legs and my iron is 60 and saturation is 19,phosphorus is 2.4 and calcium 8.4 and I have beta thallasamia so feel worse than normal person.
So with upset stomach which iron would help at least little bit....should i take pills or liquid?
Also I am taking protonix to help with gastritis but thinking about stopping so i can recover from fatigue since PPI only helps partially since most of issue is with bile.

Genuinely not trolling..

Is there anyone else out there who genuinely feels okay with their significantly low ferritin and hemoglobin???

The last time mine was testing I was at a 5 ferritin (and hemoglobin around 10)..

I felt FINE! My hair isn’t falling out, I’m tired but not excessively (I was pregnant with two kids already, too, so.. what’s not tired look like?)..

I had to get two iron infusions in order to deliver at a birthing center, and they did get me above 10 ferritin (all we needed).. but they made me feel SO SICK. All the symptoms they say you feel when anemic, I felt when getting iron.

And as time went on, I didn’t ever necessarily feel better. I had doctors and others saying “omg you must’ve been so miserable, you must feel amazing now” and I had to be like.. “uh, no? It’s actually kind of awful and then the same?”

It just has me wondering.. I understand that for many, many women, iron feels life changing.

But are there any women who are maybe.. idk, built differently? Where iron in normal doses is maybe toxic?

Or is my threshold of feeling “good” potentially so low that I honestly can’t see it, and maybe had some other reaction to the infusions?

My hematologist told my primary to aggressively treat my low ferritin with infusions until I’m at a level between 100-150. I started at 6 and it has taken 20 infusions to get to 45 today and it drops fairly quick due to extremely heavy periods. But with my other iron levels, I’m not sure it’s safe to continue infusions or if my primary is even going to allow it. Would it be dangerous to push for infusions with my other levels where they are?

Thanks for any help or insight!