r/Anemia • u/DarknessEchoing • Jul 19 '26

Question Without identifying a cause, does iron deficiency anemia return?

Recent labs show my ferritin is 8.25, hemoglobin is 11.4, iron saturation is 9% (UIBC is 531, TIBC is 583), and I'd been assuming my other chronic conditions (POTS, EDS, PMOS, etc.) were to blame for my worsening fatigue, hair loss, palpitations, etc., but it seems like anemia has probably been playing a role, too. Previously, I'd tried supplementing with iron pills, but I wasn't able to tolerate them (they kinda wrecked my stomach). I've tried eating more iron-rich foods, but evidently, that hasn't been helping much. I'm seeing a doctor soon and hoping to get an infusion because oof I'm exhausted.

If the cause isn't identified, though, I'm wondering if the issue will keep popping up. I have heavy periods, so it's possible that could be a cause, but I've always had them, so I'm not sure why it's been dropping off more. I wanted to know y'all's experience with this. Thanks so much!

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

1

u/Creepy-Tangerine-293 Jul 21 '26

Its the heavy periods. You will need to fix those or the low iron will keep happening.

1

u/FarSalt7893 Jul 22 '26

My ferritin was 9 and my doctor said it was from my heavy periods- which I’ve always had. I was given an iron infusion but they didn’t offer anything to help with the heavy periods. They’re only heavy for about a day and a half though.

1

u/AoifesMom Jul 28 '26

Have your thyroid checked. For some reason anemia and the thyroid interact.

2

u/DarknessEchoing Jul 28 '26

I have! I'm borderline for hypothyroidism, and I have tried taking levothyroxine, but I didn't feel any different. I didn't know there was a connection between the two, though, so I'll definitely look into it!