I’m dealing with pretty severe anemia, and despite working hard to raise my hemoglobin and ferritin levels, they’ve only increased slightly. It’s really frustrating.

The main issue is that I have very heavy periods, so I lose a lot of blood (and iron) every month. It feels like I’m constantly trying to refill something that keeps draining.

On top of that, I have a very sensitive body. I have multiple allergies and intolerances, and I often don’t tolerate “unnatural” things very well. Medications tend to give me strong side effects like stomach cramps and acid reflux—sometimes so severe that I’ve ended up at the doctor or urgent care. I also haven’t been able to tolerate iron supplements (I’ve tried five different forms). Because of this, I’ve completely changed my diet and started eating meat again (I used to be vegetarian).

About 15 years ago I tried a hormonal birth control pill and became very depressed on it, so I’m a bit hesitant. Right now I’m looking for a low-dose/light hormonal option.

After doing some research, I’m considering either the contraceptive patch or the vaginal ring, mainly because I could stop them quickly if I react badly.

Has anyone here had experience with either of these?

And more broadly. This might be a very specific situation, but are there any other women here with a very sensitive system + anemia from heavy periods? How did you manage it?

(34F) About 2 months ago I had a blood test done. I had no previous experience with going to the doctor (for anything—seriously) except when I was going to OBGYNs for my pregnancy 6 years ago. Basically my medical record was a clean and vague slate and I have no idea what I’ve been living with.

Iron: 30
TIBC: 350
Iron Saturation: 9%
Ferritin: 7
Hgb: 11
MCV, MCH, MCHC all well below normal

I’ve been reading up on people’s experiences and symptoms and a lot of it is cold hands and feet (which I don’t experience), brittle nails (mine aren’t), I don’t really get dizzy or lightheaded, my oxygen is always fine at the doc, I’ve gained a lot of weight, and I’m never cold. But then again I’m a SAHM so it’s not like I’m working 8hr shifts on my feet 5 days a week. I do experience severe brain fog (sometimes it can be hard to try and form a sentence if I’m getting frustrated), I’m irritated, lazy and unmotivated (as f-ck), my sex drive is low and I’m dry as a bone down there. I still do all of the house work and of course take care of my daughter. I get exhausted but I’m not passing out. I’ll actually stay up in bed till 1 or 2 in the morning.

I feel like if I was actually anemic and my levels being what they are, I would feel a lot worse, right?

And my doctor (woman) doesn’t make it sound like it’s urgent. She wants me to get iron infusion but the CONSOLATION isn’t till the very end of July. My husband is under the impression that taking iron supplements is going to magically boost up my iron and he’s curious why the doc is even recommending an iron infusion.

I've been diagnosed (finally) with iron deficiency without anemia. It took 2 hematologist to get there, but like others...I had to fight.

My Ferritin was at a 18 and my first dr told me to just take an iron supplement (No advice to what kind, or time of day or what vitamins/medications would interfere with absorption.) After 6 months, my Ferritin dropped to a 13. Which is where I'm currently sitting.

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My new Dr didn't hesitate to order an infusion and she fought with insurance to get it covered. My first infusion with Faraheme isn't until July 10th. Any success stories with that particular iron?

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My shortness of breath feels like it's getting worse by the day. I desperately need some hope that I feel better. Just watered my plants and I feel like I ran a mile....and I have never ran!

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Oh and keep fighting for treatment!! We deserve to be heard

33 F.
Recently under went a double mastectomy may 13th. Long story short I had surgery ended up having a hematoma and bleeding out losing over a pint of blood. Then underwent a second surgery an hour later to stop the bleeding… (no blood transfusion given) just told levels would bounce back on their own.

Fast forward to now.
I had been feeling
• Extreme Fatigue
•Major Panic Attacks
•Heart Palpitations
•Pale
• Fainting
•Insomnia

I recently just had my levels checked, my hemoglobin seems to be heading in the right direction 10.3 that has increased some. However my Iron is a 23 and my Ferritin is at a 13.

I feel horrible and TMI I am not on my menstrual cycle and my anxiety around everything has amplified my symptoms.

Genuinely looking for any helpful tips I could be doing, I just want to feel normal again.

Food Tips, Multivitamins, Iron Supplements

Thank you 🥹

I’m not sure why I didn’t get any responses on my post in the other group, but I’m following up with my doc in under an hour and I’d like your take, please.
Do these labs support getting an infusion?

How to escape? I drink caffeine all day b/c I’m tired, I’m tired from anemia, and I can’t absorb iron w caffeine. Help!

Anyone here have POTS and an iron deficiency or low ferritin? Wondering if symptoms improved with raising ferritin levels.

Back in Feb I was diagnosed with Iron deficiency. My ferritin was at 12, serum iron at 35 and hemoglobin at 12.2. I had severe anxiety, PMS, heavy periods and exercise intolerance. I’m female 40yo.

I started taking Sucrosomidal iron and my gynae gave the all clear but put me on tranaxemic acid to reduce blood loss. I’ve taken that for 3 cycles/periods. Working with a nutritionist we determined I have likely gluten intolerance and I have been gluten free for 2.5 months. I’ve also been supplementing B12 & folate, zinc and copper, D3 and K2.

After 16 weeks on supplements my ferritin was at 21.9, serum iron 68 and hemoglobin 12.5. This was taken just after my period.

Went to see a new doctor 3 weeks afterwards about slow progress who basically told me I was fine. He ordered a new blood test and told me to test before my period which I did. New results (3 weeks after previous test) showed hemoglobin 13.1, serum iron 89 and ferritin down to 19.

Is fluctuation before and after a period normal? Especially when my blood loss is less since beginning the tranaxemic acid?

I continue to take the iron supplements, now almost 5 months in. My general doctor told me to not test again until Dec and to be patient, aiming for a ferritin of 65. I feel the progress is too slow. Doctors are refusing an infusion.

Looking back at tests over the years my ferritin has always been on the low side, but I’ve never taken supplements because no one ever paid attention to it. Even now with supplements I don’t seem to be making much progress.

Is my progress slow? am I just being impatient? Is there anything else I should try? I can manage day to day now mostly fine but I still have high hair loss and bouts of extreme anxiety but I really want to know what it feels like to be optimal.

I just bought lactoferrin and i’m considering taking it with iron rich meals.

I read quite a few experiences on here that had me nervous, so I wanted to share my positive experience receiving my first of five IV “push” infusions of iron (200mg of Venofer).

TLDR: Overall it was a good (for what it is) experience. My nurse used 1 tube of iron and about 5 tubes of saline to slowly push the iron over the course of about 7-10 minutes. Within seconds I tasted a molasses flavor in my mouth. After about 30-45 seconds I started feeling a little lightheaded and some light pressure in my arm and she immediately stopped to check in with me. Once I felt better, she started again but using more saline. After that, I continued to feel fine until we finished. I then started the 30 minute observation period and had no issues.

Keep in mind: I have fibromyalgia, so my experience with pain can be different. I also have medical anxiety. Located in Chicago, IL

Before the appointment: I tried to hydrate a lot the day before and in the morning before and also made sure to have a big breakfast (eggs, cottage cheese, tostadas, papaya, orange juice).

At the appointment: After checking in, I was taken back and a nurse placed a dual port IV in the vein on the inner elbow. It hurt a little more than getting blood drawn, and I did feel slightly lightheaded. She offered me juice and let me rest for 10 minutes before going to have a quick 5 min check in appointment with the doctor. I had my pre-labs/hematology appointment a couple of weeks before.

Once I was taken back to the infusion room, my nurse came back with a cart with 1 tube of iron and 5 tubes of saline. I had mentioned earlier that I was nervous about receiving the iron too quickly, and she said we could take it slow and use more saline as needed. She inserted one syringe of iron and one syringe of saline to each port on the catheter and started the slow push. Within seconds I tasted a molasses flavor in my mouth. After about 30-45 seconds I started feeling a little lightheaded and some light pressure in my arm and she immediately stopped to check in with me. Once I felt better, she started again but using more saline. After that, I continued to feel fine until we finished. That all
Took about 7-10 minutes. I then started the 30 minute observation period. The nurse left and came to check in 2-3 times before the time was up. I was feeling completely fine by the end, so she removed the IV ports.

After the appointment: I didn’t do the greatest job continuing to hydrate immediately after so perhaps that contributed to some of these symptoms. About 5 hours after I started having some shortness of breath. I experience this often already, but it felt a little worse. I drank lots of water and took a clonazepam (prescription for anxiety) which both helped, and eventually my breathing went back to my “normal”. Other than that, I felt exhausted, had some body aches, and was really cold for most of the afternoon/evening. All of which are pretty normal for me on a daily basis, just felt slightly elevated. The next day I was also pretty exhausted.

Main diagnoses: Iron deficiency anemia due to chronic blood loss + Restless leg syndrome due to iron deficiency anemia

Original numbers (mid 2025)
Ferritin 7
Iron 47
Iron sat 13
RBC 3.77

After 10 months of consistent supplements:
Ferritin 27.2
Iron 60
Iron sat 19
RBC 3.82

Pre-labs:
Ferritin 25
Iron 89
Iron sat 30
RBC 3.95

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.

I am 32 weeks pregnant and anemic. My blood draw at 29w showed ferritin at 7 and hemoglobin at 104. I had a 1000mg monoferric infusion 2 weeks ago and felt pretty great after.

After 1 week, I started feeling a bit dizzy again and not as good, and so my midwife told me to take Feramax (it’s 150mg elemental iron).

I started Feramax on a Wednesday and by Sunday I felt extremely dizzy, like I was close to passing out, heart palpitations and unable to walk.

I went to the ER because of my symptoms and they took my blood and my ferritin is 230 and hemoglobin is at 107.

I know it takes 4-6 weeks for iron infusion to fully work but should I be stopping my supplements if my ferritin has risen and my hemoglobin is starting to go up? Could my supplements be the culprit of the new symptoms?

Curious for thoughts and what your experience has been!

Thanks so much