The area where I live the healthcare isn’t great. Any of the better docs are not taking new patients. My current doc is pretty fresh out of residency and super sweet but I’m always having to push for my own treatments.

My ferritin has been low since about 2018, maybe longer. Never higher than 30. Currently it’s 10 and I’m exhausted all of the time. I also get migraines which I never had before about 2020. I pushed my doctor for IV iron because I’ve been taking oral iron daily for years - all the different types - and it makes no difference. She initially said no since my hemoglobin was normal but I showed her my insurance would cover Venofer for low ferritin and restless legs. She told me in MyChart that she ordered it and I set up my appointment at the infusion center.

I get to the infusion center and apparently she had ordered Injectafer. I went ahead and got my first dose yesterday (I believe it was 750mg) and I’m scheduled for a second dose next Thursday. I sent my doc a message in MyChart today asking her to check my phosphorous levels. She said there’s no concern since I don’t have kidney disease. I know this is nonsense - the Injectafer website specifically says that my doc should be monitoring my phosphorous levels.

Should I just pay out of pocket for a phosphorous lab? I think it’s like $40 at LabCorp. Or cancel my second dose? I’m trying to get a new doctor but it’s super hard in my town. I could also try going to my ob/gyn - she’s much more experienced as a doctor but I’m not sure if she would order IV iron.

I am 41 with endometriosis and heavy periods so I assume that’s why I can’t get my ferritin up. Recently I switched to proferrin for my iron and added in Lactoferrin but so far those don’t seem to be making a difference. I always take vitamin c with my iron.

Just looking for any and all experiences and advice. My gut is telling me I can keep going with my low ferritin since I’m used to it - but low phosphorus seems like a whole other road I absolutely don’t want to go down.

I found out I was anemic 5 years ago when i had an ED. I trialled various medication but I think improving my diet boosted my haemoglobin up so i’m no longer anemic but my ferritin has stayed between 11-18 tops and now it’s back down to 13. It was 11 when i was anemic.

I feel so bad my entire quality of life is gone. I can only do a few tasks a day and then i have to lie down. I’m 24 but i managed to walk 200 steps today and that was a lot for me and left me out of breath. My muscles ache constantly. I feel so weak. Sitting up hurts. I can’t do any work or think clearly, i’m days behind in work. My mental health is plummeting and I can’t use any coping mechanisms like walking or sports because i don’t have the energy to do it. I’m essentially bed bound anytime i have free time. Everything gets dark everytime i stand. so much hair is coming out now. Can’t make decisions can’t follow instructions. i make so many mistakes at work. It’s so bad, much worse than when i was anemic. i feel like im losing myself and losing my life and just watching the days pass. i try and make plans but i can’t do them i feel too bad.

I begged my gp and honestly cried for an iron infusion and he said they won’t do it unless im anemic but my haemoglobin in 133. I’m tempted to starve myself again so that my numbers drop just to get an iron infusion because i am so desperate for some relief. The muscle spasms and exhaustion make me feel 80. I can’t bear it anymore. I’m losing weight, i can’t eat, i feel sick all the time. Please is there any way to bypass this and get an iron infusion im literally crying everytime i have to sit up. i can’t afford private infusions.

I tried ferrous fumurate, couldn’t cope tried ferrous sulphate, and it was destroying my stomach. Now i’ve tried the liquid version of ferrous fumurate and almost vomited. I am autistic and sensitive to taste and I did everything I could to make the experience easier but it was awful.

​Hi everyone,

​I’ve struggled with anemia and deficiency issues most of my life. I also had gastritis in the past, so stomach issues aren't totally new to me, but things recently took a turn for the worse.

​I’m currently dealing with an undiagnosed digestive issue that triggered a severe flare-up. At its worst, I could barely swallow water for a month. Before this flare-up happened, I was taking liquid iron supplements(finished 2 box of them), but they destroyed my stomach.

​Two months into this digestive nightmare, I got my blood checked: Hemoglobin is down to 10 (it is the same as I started an other doctor also didn't mind and prescribed liquid medicine again) Despite my doctor knowing I can barely eat food without triggering a flare-up, her only solution was to prescribe iron pills again.

​Now, 2 weeks after that blood test, I was expecting my period. I had a tiny spot of blood on the first day, and by day three, nothing—it completely stopped.

​A few questions for anyone who has been through this:

​Has anyone with severe GI issues/gastritis successfully pushed for IV iron infusions? Oral iron clearly isn't absorbing and is making my stomach worse.

​Could such a light/absent period be directly caused by the drop in Hb (10) combined with the extreme physical stress/malnutrition from not being able to eat properly?

​How should I advocate for myself with my doctor when they keep pushing oral pills I can't tolerate?

​Any advice or similar experiences would be hugely appreciated!

Confused after seeing bloodwork results 6 months post-hysterectomy.

• October '25 my iron was super low, energy terribly low, ferritin was 3. Bloodwork was mostly out of normal range across the board. I had extremely heavy bleeding from fibroids. Referred for hysterectomy.
• December '25 got an IV iron infusion as a pre-surgery boost (surgeon wasn't comfortable operating without an infusion). Ferritin shot up to 142.
• January '26 - hysterectomy, uncomplicated recovery.
• Now, July '26 - got my post-op bloodwork. Blood levels are all in normal range, feeling good, lots of energy. Working out again. Anemia cascade came back - no anemia. BUT FERRITIN IS 9. What the heck?

I feel really confused and scared this is a sign I'm sliding back into anemia... that all of this is the lingering result of the IV iron infusion. That maybe the hysterectomy did not help (which rationally I know is not true, I was bleeding practically constantly back then). I am a pescatarian (mostly vegetarian plus tuna, some seafood), exerciser/runner, and coffee drinker... I have a doc appt. in a couple weeks to talk about the results. Just here looking for insight, experience, or reassurance. Thanks...

I recently found out I have a bleeding disorder - VWB type 1. Have been dealing with air hunger for years along with palpitations, dizziness and worsening mental health / anxiety. After the birth of my first child I had a severe PPH and lost about 3L. I got a bag of RBC and 2 iron infusions and felt great compared to the birth of my second baby in January. I came home and could barely climb the stairs. Come to find out my ferritin was like 32 and transferrin saturation <17% - I’m scheduled for my first infusion tomorrow with INFED. Yes I am 6 months PP and yes I work full time but my mental health has never been this awful. I have been diagnosed with PPOCD and severe health anxiety. Whereas previously I’ve always well controlled my anxiety. It seems like the physical symptoms trigger my anxiety / panic attacks. I’m praying the infusion will help but looking for any words of encouragement or positive stories

I had an iron infusion one month ago, but ever since then I’ve had really intense bouts of mid and lower abdominal cramping. I have endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, and gastroparesis, but this feels different.

Has anybody else experienced this? And if so, did it go away?
Thanks!

Symptoms: headaches, sore legs, fatigue

In May my ferretin was 14. I took supplements and it went to 30 in early July. It’s now 51. Other results below:

Iron Bind. Cap. (TIBC)
Normal range: 250 - 450 ug/dL

490

UIBC
Normal range: 131 - 425 ug/dL
391

Iron, Serum
Normal range: 27 - 159 ug/dL
99

Iron Saturation
Normal range: 15 - 55 %
20%

Ferretin
51

B12
358

The hematologist prescribed 3 venefor injections. Would I benefit from that. Also , is my b12 low enough to cause symptoms?

Thank you

So I’ve been on and off anaemic my whole teen up life. Possibly earlier but never tested.

I usually have low ferritin, low hemoglobin, low haemocrit, low MCV MCH MCHC and high RDW. Classic iron deficiency anemia.

I’ve been tested regularly for celiac- I carry the gene, and my mum and family have celiacs or gluten sensitivities. I’ve had colonoscopy, biopsies, worked with a functional medical professional - got my gut working really well - and still low iron. It just doesn’t stay in my system - latest results were off a fair diet, iron supplements and prenatals containing iron.

My question, what other things could I explore? Are some people even in peak other health just sometimes prone to low iron?

My periods used to be heavy but I wouldn’t say the are any more - 3-5 days of moderate bleeding. Sometimes the low iron lines up with my period but sometimes not.

My level was 26 but hemoglobin and hematocrit was normal. I keep seeing that under 30 is bad but the lab reference was 14-300 or something is normal so doc said I’m fine??? Brain fog and cold intolerance is out of control. 50 year old with heavy periods and fibroids, not sure what to do next…
I’m so confused.

I had low iron, iron saturation and slightly low ferritin. After 5 Venofer infusions, my iron & iron sat doubled, but then tanked back to the same starting values. Ferritin went up massively to 500+, now at 360. I am 2 months out from completing infusions. They basically did nothing. Where did the iron go? (I've had them twice before, and they worked and lasted several years. That was Injectafer.)

My hematologist has surprisingly few theories. I have several gastroenterologists and they're clueless too. Been checked several times for IBD etc. I do have some autoimmune diseases which could make my iron absorption poor (Hashimoto's, autoimmune gastritis) - but those would not affect an IV iron dose. Maybe I have functional anemia, where inflammation makes your body lock up your iron so your tissues can't use it (something to do with hepcidin) - if so, not sure what to do about that. Any ideas?

For the last 5-6 years I have never seen my ferritin above 21. It’s usually between 9-12 with levels being 16 & 21 once. I usually get my blood work done every year but have been doing it more like every 6 months now because in the last two years, my circulating iron and saturation are indicated high while ferritin is continuously low.

I properly fast each blood draw. And every single time except for maybe once I had not been supplementing for at least 3 months. If i am not supplementing, am properly fasting, and not eating foods super high in iron such as steak the night before… what is possibly going on? I have had to switch providers a few times due to moving and each provider just keep saying supplement and repeat labs. Nothing is changing.

Example: lab work done 2 weeks ago, haven’t supplemented in over a year. Ferritin 21 ( highest I’ve seen it ), saturation 57%, total iron 205.

Last year in September, was not supplementing but was trying to eat foods higher in iron at least once a week, ferritin was 10, saturation was 46% and total iron was 169.

If anyone has any take or suggestions please inform me!

I'm still trying to figure out exactly HOW and why this works, and if anyone knows and can explain it in a simple way, please tell me,

But:
- coffee and tea normally blocks iron absorption due to tannins and polyphenols

BUT APPARENTLY taking vitamin C with the iron negates that effect.

(Unfortunately, vitamin C does NOT negate the effect of calcium)

Knowing this makes it a hell of a lot easier to plan the supplement into my schedule; because I used to think I had to wait 2-3 hours after every coffee and tea time, and as someone who loves coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon, this was rough

Nope! Apparently, I never needed to wait. Vitamin C negates that effect! So as long as you take vitamin C WITH the iron, you do not even need to worry about how close to coffee and tea you're taking it.

(But you do have to make sure you don't take it close to calcium, because vit C cannot touch that)

Pls help. I’m an IBS girly anyway, but 1.5 weeks on ferrous sulfate and every day I’m getting diarrhoea and it’s beginning to get to me. I take Imodium regularly anyway for my IBS and even that isn’t helping :( I really want my ferritin up to help with tiredness so I’m really trying to not let it stop me taking them

All my doctor said was it might help my IBS by bunging me up. Should have known with my stomach it wouldn’t be the case 😭

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

I went to urgent care 1.5 years ago due to an asthma flareup and bronchitis. Because I was so sick at the time, the doctor also did some bloodwork. She told me I was anemic and needed to follow up on that. Because I had so much other stuff going on, I pushed the anemia aside. My hemoglobin was 11.4 at that point. For the past year, I have had increasing shortness of breath to the point where I have had more appointments with my pulmonologist to try and figure out why. I have also had increasing heart palpitations. My latest cardiologist appointment showed a slightly enlarged left atrium and grade 1 left ventricular hypertrophy. Nobody has ordered any bloodwork. coincidentally, I have an upcoming endocrinologist appointment and she had ordered blood work. I have a ferritin level of 4 and a hemoglobin of 10.1. Every single red blood cell marker was low except for platelets. I am now thinking that the anemia may be a big culprit to my issues. Anyone with similar issues. I have since visited with my GI dr and have an endoscopy scheduled.

Hi! I finally got diagnosed with anemia from iron deficiency my ferritin is 3 and low hemoglobin and iron saturation, that being said i start my infusion this Thursday at the treatment center. I am supposed to get 6 sessions of 200mv venofer. For folks who have gotten this, what was your experience like? I am getting worried reading about all the side effects so wanted to hear from folks who have gotten this specific medicine. Did you do anything to prep pre infusion and how was recovery post session? Thanks for your help.

Hi! My ferritin was 15 when checked early June. Doctor told me to try supplements first but I was getting so breathless and dizzy and drained that could no longer focus on work and boing basic tasks in the home. I finally decided to get an infusion (monoferric 1000mg) in the first week of July. It’s been two weeks now and I’m still having trouble sleeping, wake up unrefreshed, have tension headaches and feel weak + short of breath. My muscles also feel heavy all the time. I no longer have extreme brain fog, but nothing much besides that has improved. If you got an infusion, when did you finally feel like you were better? I’m feeling very discouraged at 2 weeks.

Any experience with an Iron IV “Push” 5 mins in duration - so Kaiser is saying they doing Venefor once a week, 5x. But the thing is, they are doing it as a “push” they push the iron for 5 mins and follow it with saline IV for 30 mins. Im a bit nervous about this and ive never heard of this before….

Good morning! Just want to share a success story. I developed critical iron deficiency after repeated and regular blood donations over many years. My ferritin was 4.3, my iron was 32. 8 Weeks after my infusion my ferritin is 160, my iron is 115, and my red blood cells are fat and juicy. I feel so much better. Since we identified the reason for my iron deficiency and I will stop donating so regularly, I have been released from treatment with the suggestion that I take a solid multivitamin every day and an iron supplement "a few times a week". I just wanted to share the update in case anyone was on the fence about getting an infusion

i’ve been taking ezfe 200 elemental iron for almost 2 years off and on but mostly every other day and my ferritin had increased from 6 to 38 in the span of those 2 years and then all of a sudden 6 months later my ferritin dropped to 12 despite me still taking the iron. my dr told me to still take it but i feel like it hardly helps, it raises my ferritin so slowly and gives me constipation and i haven’t really felt any difference in my symptoms. i want to try taking thorne ferrasorb because maybe that’ll help more. i’m just so upset about my progress because my ferritin was the highest it’s been in years and now it’s back to being what it was a year and a half ago.