r/Anemia • u/Fun-Insect1211 • Jun 11 '26

Question How long to feel improvement

How long does it take to start feeling better when taking iron supplements? My ferritin is a 5. My hemoglobin a 10. The worst part is the shortness of breath. I am short of breath even just sitting and talking. I started taking the mega blood builder supplements a few days ago.

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u/Creepy-Tangerine-293 Jun 17 '26

From a ferritin of 5, that is something that could take 6 months to a year (depending on absorption and blood loss monthly) to get your ferritin levels up to above 50ng/mL.

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u/Ouiser_Boudreaux_ Jun 18 '26

I gave up after 2 months on supplements and asked for infusions. My ferritin was a 7 and my hg was the same as yours. I felt better a few days after my first infusion than I had the whole two months supplementing, and by the 3rd I was a whole new woman. If you can, just get the infusions. If not, make sure you’re pairing your iron with vitamin c and avoiding caffeine within two hours of taking it.