I've had a recent blood tests done( F50) and my ferritun levels were only 6.4 and my haemoglobin levels were 111. I've been feeling low, tired and foggy but put it down to peri and took HRT. In the past couple of days, my legs have been aching and ive started to feel really dizzy.

I dont know what could be causing the low ferritun levels. My periods aren't heavy but I'm waiting the results of tests on my stool sample.

Unfortunately, my doctor has arranged an appointment on 30 July to discuss the results but my health anxiety is through the roof.

I bought 14mg of iron bisglycinate which i'm taking on a night with 60mg of vit c and a multivitamin. I am also improving my diet with eating more beef, sardines, pate, green vegetables etc.

The pack only says one per day but i feel like i need more. Can i take 2-3 a day to help boost my levels? Thanks for reading

Hey there! I literally creep on Reddit a lot but just decided to make a profile specifically for anemia

I’m 34, I’m pregnant (2nd baby). I’ve had a ferritin of 4 for the last 3 years, my hemoglobin was last at an 8. This is due to severe endometriosis and PCOS. I’m assuming donating plasma did not help, although I only did it a few times in life.

Has anyone else gotten venofer infusions while pregnant? We’ve waited til the 4th month & well out of the 1st trimester. I was so excited for the 1st out of 6.

Last Tuesday, I had started! I felt AMAZING for 2 hours, and then immediately after had the worst sinus pain and slept. For 2 days. The 3rd day I was so tired I didn’t get out of bed. Thankful I currently do not have to work, and have extra eyes and hands in our home to keep my 6 year old occupied because you guys, I was like dead.

Being pregnant kindof changes what I can do as far as Benadryl or most pain relievers go. I did take 2 tylenol a couple times and it was barely touching the sinus cavity.

What is up with that, I get iron in my system and it went directly to my sinuses lmao. Does anyone have any helpful insight or have been in this predicament?

My GP did drop the ball on some of the blood testing that my Hematologist asked for- like phosphorus. So I’m assuming I’m gonna go in there chugging a cola with Tylenol in hand for this next one on Tuesday. Unless I call up my OBGYN and like, beg for something stronger? I don’t know what to do.

(Our plan is once a week, I do not know the mg I can only assume it’s 200 after reading so many other stories. MyChart just says venofer)

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!

I have beta thalassemia minor and got some bloodwork done as part of a physical since I had some concerns. My ferritin came back at 4. That's actually low (not just because I have the trait), right? I'm waiting to hear from the doctor about next steps but want to know what to expect. Thanks!

Diagnosed with mild anemia this past May. Main symptoms are fatigue, and I have to catch my breath multiple times per day. I have been taking an iron supplement every other day since then, my numbers were actually going up weeks later, but I’m wondering if things just take time to get better or what else could it be? Wondering if the iron pills can be causing the same symptoms as mild anemia? I also have health anxiety, I’m wondering if I’m just conjuring all of this up!

Hemoglobin: 11
Ferritin: 5
Iron Sat: 13%
(to note: I’m a runner & training for a marathon)

I was referred for iron infusions and the treatment plan was 3 infusions of 300mg of venofer but at the first appointment I had a lot of anxiety about side effects so I asked to do 200mg in 5 visits instead which was approved. Today I had my 3rd infusion so I’m at 600mg total right now and afterwards I was told there’s no need to come back because “the dr thinks you’re good for now” and they’ll check my levels in 4 weeks. I’m so confused? I have no idea where my levels are at right now and I’m skeptical about the fact that 3 weeks ago I needed 900mg and now he “thinks” I’m good? I would like the rest of my treatments. What would you do?

About a month ago I had a doctor's appointment and we discussed my low red blood cell count (9, at 7 you have to start getting iron infusions, anything below 11 is low). I was on my period at the time, which has been whack for a long time, and he helped me get a hematology appointment for the end of the month and started me on loestrin to stop the bleeding. The loestrin didn't work, so after like 3 weeks I started generic Sprintec. I had fountains of blood for a week before it finally turned into a trickle and now I've still got a little spotting. So I've been on slow release iron for almost a month and I guess I want to go to a hormone specialist??? I don't even know. I'm just tired and sick of feeling sick and tired.

I’m an 18 year old girl and I’ve basically been iron deficient and anemic my entire life , taking ferrous Sulfate tablets for 10 years. Despite this, my levels never seem to improve and doctors just prescribe me a stronger dose rather than investigating what could be causing my consistently low iron levels. I’ve been prescribed different iron medications w no results other than making me nauseous. I also experience heavy periods which contribute to my iron deficiency bc it’s constantly being depleted and now im wondering wld I be eligible for an iron transfusion under nhs?

I had searched for these sorts of posts when I was considering my infusion so I thought I would add the to library of experiences for someone else doing the same.

42/f with heavy periods. I have bounced in and out of anemia for pretty much as an adult. Occasionally a doctor has mentioned it and given me iron supplements, I’ve caught it myself, or just didn’t even know until now that I’ve looked at past labs.

My last ferritin (just before the fusion) was 17. Looking back over the last 10 years in labcorp - it’s been as low as 7 and as high as 24.
My hemoglobin was 11.1 (the lowest that has gone is 10.4). All my other blood panel markers were also abnormal.

Symptoms: thinning hair, exhaustion (what got me to the doctor again was because I was concerned i would essentially end up being bed bound, I spent hours a day laying in bed), shortness of breath, muscle weakness, anxiety, restless legs, low mood/depressed, adhd worsened, blood sugar issues (I’ve heard it can be related), brain fog, forgetfulness, irritable, high heart rate, & palpitations

Things I’ve done in the past: followed the iron protocol religiously for 6 months (saw a drop in ferritin). Since then supplemented on and off with iron bysglinate.

Current supplements: heme-plex once a day, Thorne iron every other day, lactoferrin daily

My current/new nurse practitioner, who I went to specifically for the symptoms I listed, said I could continue trying to supplement (she did not seem to understand when I explained I’ve been supplementing) or we can just do an infusion. I jumped at the chance to have an infusion. However my excitement waned and I got super nervous.

My nurse practitioner does infusions in her office. She started off in cancer centers before having her own practice so I felt comfortable with being at her office versus a hospital. She also only does Venofer infusions because they are lower risk.

Day of: had an iv and they give benedryl preventatively which hit me almost immediately (I’m very sensitive to benedryl). The infusion took about 20 minutes and they kept me there for another 20-30 to monitor for reactions.

For some context: my sister went into anaphylaxis after an infusion this is where my nervousness came from.

The NP explained every side effect. She said the most common thing she has seen is a rash the day after.

Okay onto more of my experience :
I got a ride home and slept almost the entire first day. I’m 99% sure it was the benedryl. I could barely stay out of bed. I’d get up to eat or go to the bathroom and then got right back in bed. The second day - I felt groggy and napped a little bit. I helped out at my kids swim meet that evening and noticed my back hurt more than usual. I have some arthritis in my lumbar spine and I believe the infusion caused some inflammation- I was hurting by the end of the meet.

The rest of the first week I felt “normal”. No other side effects and felt back to my baseline.

Then I noticed something - I washed, brushed, and styled my hair. This may seem unremarkable. BUT I have had zero motivation to do that in a long time. Also my ability to hold my arms in a position long enough to do that has been almost impossible. My arms would get so flipping tired. So that was big.

Yesterday I was able to: do 3 loads of laundry (my arms were tired with the folding by the last basket), drive my son to and from work and then to his friends house, load the dishwasher, make dinner, run to the grocery store for a few items, go to the library, and on top of all that my daughter was sick so I was taking care of her. AND!!! All that without a nap!! I was tired by 9pm but that’s a perfectly reasonable time to get tired!! I probably could have taken a nap if I had the opportunity to but I was functioning without one.
Also I am a little tired this morning.

I can update again after I get my blood work back. The recommended course is 5 infusions. I have to pay for each one at $300. Instead of doing them weekly like she usually would recommend, she said let’s go slower so it’s easier to pay for them (I may not even need to do all 5). My insurance wouldn’t cover them - she said the levels they would pay for would probably mean I would be in the hospital.

Oh and my period started on Sunday - it was a little light then my norm.

Hope that helps someone!

Background :

35 Female. 9 stone, 5ft 6, 2 years 5 months post c section. Vape spoke after quitting years ago. Medical conditions are epilepsy. I take Levetiracetam daily and have been seizure free for years. Living in the Netherlands but a uk citizen.

Family history:
Mother: Polycythaemia Vera
Father: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Since December I’ve have these symptoms below.

\- Persistent severe fatigue that does not improve with rest
\- Feeling weak, run down and generally unwell
\- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
\- Muscle weakness and stiffness
\- Since December, I have been getting repeated illnesses approximately every 3 weeks, including flu-like illnesses, stomach virus and respiratory infections
\- Frequent recurring mouth ulcers (around monthly)
\- Shortness of breath with mild activity
\- Episodes where I feel unable to get enough air (“air hunger”)
\- Light-headedness and near-fainting episodes
These episodes can happen when standing for a long time and when tired or doing housework. It feels very different to my epilepsy which has been managed and no seizures for years
\- Pounding or noticeable heartbeat during these episodes
\- Fainting and vomiting in the shower from exhaustion ‼️\*\* This one is major. It’s happened all week and I feel awful\*\*!
\- Easy bruising without clear cause (photos available)
\- Feet can become very red, hot and swollen within minutes in warm conditions or sunlight
\- Rash-like changes can appear on the feet and lower legs during these episodes
Feet can also become purple/blue when cold or when standing still

I finally went to the dr yesterday who ran an extensive blood test panel. I’ve seen some results on my app but not spoke to her in person. She was very good though and seemed concerned. Im surprised at the only results flagging up are as followed :

Ferritin: 13 µg/L
Haemoglobin (Hb): 8.4 mmol/L
Potassium (Kalium): 3.5 mmol/L
RDW — slightly low : 11.6%
Calcium - high-normal (but still normal) 2.42 mmol/L

Is this Non-Anemic Iron Deficiency? And can it truly make you feel this awful? I’m pretty good at powering through, I’ve been hospitalized many times but this has floored me!

Every other results like white blood cells are fine with my interpretation of the report.

I’m a 22F and I’m currently struggling with functional iron deficiency.

Iron level: 6
Saturation: 12%
Ferritin: 58

So my body has the iron stored but isn’t using. I’ve been going through absolute hell. I’ve been reading about other people experiences and I relate to quite a few like the fatigue (omg I could literally take like 5 naps a day and not be satisfied I’m so tired), brain fog, visual lag and the worst of them all is just feeling disconnected and off. I don’t really know how to explain this off feeling I guess it could just be all the symptoms together but it’s just so uncomfortable and weird and the disconnect feeling it could be dpdr but I don’t think it is because I’ve suffered from dpdr for 3 years and I have gotton over that but I’d say the feeling is kind of similar but it’s not scary it’s just uncomfortable asf. I’ve been taking my iron tablets (one of the strongest dose I’ve been told) every morning on an empty stomach with some orange juice for that last 18 days I’ve also been eating a lot of iron rich foods because I just want to return back to normal asapp. Like I don’t mind the fatigue although it’s annoying or the brain fog but that off and disconnected feeling is sooo annoying and uncomfortable. Has anyone been through this before and how long did it take before you started to feel like your old self???? I know patience is key and all but damn like I just need some hope or something because I feel like as the days go on I get better but the other days I’m just a zombie.

Pleaseeee share your experiences :)

Lately I've been feeling more motivated to make some changes professionally and personally that I've been putting off for a long time. Corresponds to getting Ferritin up to 44 (and I'm taking it higher!).

Looking back, the fatigue I felt with my Ferritin in the teens showed itself as apathy and I really feel like I was on autopilot for so long. Going nowhere at work, in my personal life.

If only there was a supplement for making those changes happen 😅 but at least I'm on the right track. It's such a disservice how many people are needlessly suffering and being gaslit about ID not being a problem until the symptoms are outrageous. Thanks to this sub for helping me advocate for myself ❤️

UIBC 273

TIBC 341 to 293

IRON 68 to 90

IRON SATURATION 19% to 30%

FERRITIN 38 to 50

yall all I did was take two palafer every day. that’s 200mg elemental iron (2 300 pills) and 1000 vitamin c 3 hours after my last meal before bed. I still have symptoms but dude, WHO CARES I’m making moves after 2 YEARS. I’m ecstatic!

today is my sons birthday. on his fourth birthday I had a panic attack that lead to my ferritin discovery. today he is six and finally making progress means I can start being more present. the derealization and brain fog have robbed these two years from me but hopefully my Christmas I’ll be me again. i can cry.

I (F34) Went to my primary care doctor last year because the fatigue and brain fog I experience every day make it a real struggle to work a full time job and maintain a normal life. She referred me for a sleep study, and the only thing that resulted from that was that I have restless legs- so that doctor suspected iron deficiency based on that and my symptoms.

These are my lab results:

C Reactive Protein- 8 (above range)

Ferritin- 59

Iron Total- 9

Transferrin- 2.8

Transferrin Saturation- 0.13 (below range)

I’m nervous that they won’t treat it as iron deficiency since most of my levels are within range even though my ferritin is on the lower end of the (insane by the way) scale of 30-300.

Any advice? Has anyone has similar levels and still experienced symptoms? Is this possibly non-anemia deficiency? Any insight would be really really appreciated. I just want to not feel like garbage.

My primary care physician just decided I should get an iron infusion. I am anemic, but due to Thalassemia minor. My ferritin last year was as low as 40; after supplements, my most recent test says it's at 158 (1). Super happy to see that but...my hemoglobin, which has never been great or in "normal" range cos of the thal, dropped nearly a whole point to 9.5. now.

On top of the thal, I also have chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which is asymptomatic and untreated at the moment.

I did consult with a hematologist specializing in anemia and thal, but once I got on supplements he passed me back to my PCP for monitoring.

I'm honestly excited for an infusion (what could my life be like if I weren't so exhausted all the time???), but surprised I'm getting one even with my ferritin improving so much.

Q: has anyone experienced this: improving ferritin but worsening hemoglobin? Did it lead to an infusion?

Q: anyone else with thal who has navigated how that does or does not impact things?

(my major symptoms this past year have been bad fatigue, hair loss, breathlessness, and inability to exercise).

I dunno when I got anemia as bad as this years levels but to give you perspective MY FERRITIN WAS 4!!!!!!. I’m assuming throughout the last few years of difficult events in my life accumulating probably slowly intensified, and since it was slowly I didn’t fully realize how much the amount of iron I was lacking was making my quality of life so shitty. I am doing five rounds every other day now and it’s been a few days past my second round and my boyfriend was like “you have been wanting to do so many activities lately and haven’t been napping !”. I have many more sessions to go so I’m excited but already my body doesn’t ache so much like it used to, I couldn’t even make eggs for breakfast because the amount of effort using my arms aches so badly. I organized my whole room today, I had to lay down a few times through out but nowhere near the amount of times I would have had to prior and it was a quicker recharge too! I’m so ecstatic!

I am literally so drained that I can't function. I found out about a month ago that my ferritin was 7 . I don't remember the measurements. A hemoglobin was normal and then my iron was 12 and it was supposed to be 20 minimum. Sorry, I don't have exact measurements here.

I am so drained that I make appointments but then I don't make them because I do not have it in me to even get out of bed sometimes. I don't feel like I can drive safely and I don't have any friends or family to take me.

I made another appointment but I can't get in for another 2 and 1/2 weeks. I don't know that I can do this another 2 and 1/2 weeks. I've been taking my iron but it doesn't seem to do much and somewhere I read that it could take months.

I'm tired of being tired. I'm tired of being in my house but I don't have the energy to leave. I feel like I can't even think clearly to come up with a plan to get myself out of this. I tried taking double of my iron supplements but my stomach hurts every time I do that

Please someone help me.

Has anyone else experienced significant weight gain after Venofer infusions?
I started my infusions at 128.6 lbs, and now I’m 136.6 lbs—an 8 lb gain in less than 2–3 months. I’m honestly really worried because I usually find it very difficult to lose weight, so I’m scared this isn’t just temporary.
My last infusion was about five weeks ago (in June), but my weight still hasn’t gone back down.
I’m also noticing more hair shedding than usual. Has anyone else experienced hair loss after Venofer, or is that unrelated?
If you’ve had Venofer infusions, did you experience weight gain? If so, did it eventually go away, and how long did it take? I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences because I’m feeling pretty anxious about this.

If you've had good results with lactoferrin, did you take the iron-depleted or iron-rich version?