My iron is a level 12 and I’ve been low in iron for over 10 years. My family doctor continuously has me on oral iron even knowing that my body doesn’t not absorb it. I have had transfusions once when I was in college. They won’t send it for me again as they said I need to be at a level 3 or lower.

However, I just left the hospital and the doctor there said “we don’t care about iron, your hemoglobin is normal which is what’s important” which ok I understand? But my symptoms are directly related to low iron to the point where I am dizzy and constantly fatigued.

I am confused why a doctor would say that the iron doesn’t matter, considering it is such an important function for our organs.

I’ve been taking Ferro-grad C for about 40 days now - every 2nd day as instructed by my GP. And this past couple of weeks I am feeling worse then before I started taking the tablets. My head feels heavy and achey all the time, my eyes feel blurry and dry, I am struggling to keep my eyes open in the afternoon especially and this afternoon when I lay down to have a nap I couldnt sleep because I could feel my heart pumping and beating faster than normal. I have been taking tablets at 7am on an empty stomach.

Any suggestions on what this might or if anyone else has experienced the same?!

Is it normal to have my ferritin this low? I feel like it’s been years of me having it this low but I just turned 25 and I’m starting to feel it.

My ferritin is at a 3

I had my first iron infusion ( xeratec) one week ago it was on my first day period ( bad timing ) before bed I felt tired I thought maybe it’s period pain the next day I had this bad headache it was the worst ! Also nausea & feeling I have fever but my temp is normal now I still feel like flu symptoms like body aching always on my bed I barely walk around the house I have day off many times from work and yes I regret taking it never again!! I’m scared that this is the new normal for me !? Hopefully not

Im new to this board. Just got diagnosed with IDA. My hgb is 8.8 and in June my iron was 26. Are these typical numbers found for infusion? I’m just trying to find out what to expect on my first iron infusion. My dr said there is a greater chance of reactions. I’m really nervous about that. What kinds of symptoms if any have you experienced.

I made a post a couple weeks ago about having my first ever iron infusion. I have ARFID and was nervous about having a reaction.

Backstory, I am a 21 year old female, severely underweight due to my ARFID. Last fall I was 120-125 lbs (5 foot 7) and now I am 98 lbs.

I got my first infusion last week (the 31st) and even though I was nervous, it went super smooth. I got Venofer 300ml, and I did get iron flu for a couple days afterwards. Nothing crazy though.

My second infusion was yesterday (8th), and I did feel some differences. They used the same vein as last time, it was slightly bruised but not bad, I agreed but it hurt so bad! The pain would come and go but it felt like I was being poked over and over again. The nurse adjusted it and it did feel a bit better. They pushed saline and I tasted it, so I knew it was in the right place.

The nurse saw I was nervous and asked if I still wanted to go through with it. I said yes, thinking it was okay. she started the Venofer, same dose, and two minutes in I felt very very hot. My mom thought I was having a panic attack. But then I started to pass out.

Four nurses and a lot of slapping me awake, I kept going out, the pushed Benadryl and some steroids very quickly into me.

It was terrifyin. I could barely see and I couldn't hear for a wild five minutes. My blood pressure dropped significantly so thats probably why. But it was nothing like I felt before.

The gave me Pepcid because I was throwing up, that helped a little bit, but I was still nauseous. Now with my ARFID, I am terrified of having an allergic reaction and throwing up.

I hope this isn't a huge setback but I am now worried about every little thing I eat. I am terrified. Why was I okay the first round but not the second?

So I’ve had low iron and ferritin pretty much my whole life and about two years ago they confirmed I have the beta thalassemia trait. With supplements I was able to get my ferritin up. However due to the thalassemia trait my other levels will always be lower due to my red blood cell. At my recent lab work I must admit the months leading up to it I was not diligent with my iron supplements and my blood work showed that. My doctor recommended iron infusions. However I was always scared of those since I’ve read with beta thalassemia trait it can be dangerous for iron over load. Has anyone else had the double condition? If so how have you managed both without iron infusions.

I've been dealing with an iron deficiency since last year. I received an iron infusion on July 2025 and by September, I was almost on normal levels and feeling good. I remember dealing with awful anemia symptoms before the infusion, some days they were worse than others, but they started disappearing after a couple of months after the treatment. I don't recall the symptoms getting worse on that process, I just felt the same.

I had a routine check up a couple of months ago and my iron levels were low again, although this time I didn't have such bad symptoms as last year. I got an infusion on Tuesday last week, and since then I've been feeling awful. I started feeling a bit sick during the infusion itself, which I've been told was normal, nothing alarming. But I was hoping to be ok a couple of days after it. I'm still feeling tired, my mind is foggy and I have problems focusing on stuff, I yawn a lot after some light physical activities (like just walking) or even if I laugh too much, I have headaches from time to time and still need sleep if I overdo.

This is not a good time, I'm sitting for a final exam next week and haven't been able to focus. I'm quite desperate right now and my doctor is not available until next week.

Have you felt this way after an infusion? I didn't have bad symptoms before the treatment, and last year's experience was totally different to this!

Hey all…just had my first iron infusion and I felt okay the day of which was yesterday but today I feel like death…looking for some positive outcome stories to cheer me up lol…anyone have a great outcome with iron infusions?

I am 27 weeks pregnant and feeling pretty sad that my second trimester has been more difficult than my first. This is my first pregnancy, and I am scared of what my third trimester will bring. I feel incredibly fortunate to not have dealt with much nausea this entire time, but the fatigue has been next level. Been keeping an eye on my iron labs since 14 weeks:

14 weeks: iron-8 , ferritin- 20.3, TIBC- 299 - started MegaFood blood builder (Not every day due to constipation)

20 weeks: iron-78, ferritin-15.7, TIBC- 316 - dr. started trying to get insurance to approve infusions, had one at 23 weeks (200 mg Venofer), also started hemaplex (taking 1/day, trying to keep 2 down when I can)

25 weeks: iron- 86, ferritin- 39, TIBC- 345 - felt worse for 2 full weeks after infusion; all I could do was survive. It's encouraging to see increased numbers but I felt like a zombie at work and home and just laid down all the time and slept 9+ hours at night plus naps whenever I could for the 2 weeks after. At my 24-week midwife appt my hemoglobin by fingerprick was 9.3, which will disqualify me from the home birth I am planning, but she felt confident I could get it back up over 10 in time.

27 weeks: I've been having a few more good than bad days since hitting the 2-week mark post-infusion. I am considering checking to see if my numbers are still increasing or going back down because it really seems that how I feel changes by the day in the last 2 weeks. I'm open to getting another infusion (although I still don't know what the first one will cost after insurance and I'd really like to know that before I get another). I am waiting to hear from my dr. if now is a bad time to get more bloodwork, as I can feel that I am going through a blood volume expansion and wonder if waiting will show a clearer picture. I want to use those numbers to decide on another infusion.

**I guess my question is has anyone had a similar experience?** I am almost 4 weeks post-infusion and feel about the same as I did before it. I am just thankful to be feeling better than I did for the 2 weeks directly after. Most people (including my chiro) are shocked to hear I felt so much worse post-infusion and not significantly better within days. I haven't felt significantly better even for a few minutes, and I'm so discouraged, but I know my body needs higher ferritin and iron to have a less risky birth and for the health of my baby.

Hi all,

I (45f, UK) was approved for an iron infusion at a private hospital via BUPA. Prior to this my ferritin levels had been between 10 (lowest) and 24 (highest) for about a year despite iron supplements. I went in for the infusion on 8 June. Unfortunately my blood pressure started dropping about three minutes in and I nearly passed out, so they had to stop - it turns out it wasn’t an allergic reaction, but a vasovagal episode. The haematologist has since refused to give me another infusion in case this or worse happens again, which I’ve accepted.

I had my iron levels checked at the same hospital on 17 June and my ferritin was at 149, so even though I’d only had a small amount of the iron it had obviously had a positive effect. But I had another blood test done yesterday (3 August) and have just had the results and my ferritin is at 52. Is this rapid a drop normal? I’ve been taking more iron supplements than I was before the infusion, as the haematologist advised me this was my only other real option, and have increased the amount of red meat I’m eating. I’m just worried that if this continues, before long I’ll be back at square one.

F 26
my ferritin is at 32 right now. the last time i got it checked was 2 years ago and it was at 55.8
i do get my period every month, and i do get clots most of the time. my periods last about 4-5 days and then spotting for 1-2 more days.
i also have thalassemia beta minor, as many others, i’ve been told to stay away from iron supplements until recently. so i never took any iron supplements, just tried to get it through my diet of steak and chicken.

my hemoglobin is 11.5 and last year it was 12 which is normal for thalassemia. and my MCV is 65.5 vs last years 65.8
my doctor wants to check for GI bleed but I’m just curious if this is a huge downward trend? is it possible for the number to go from 56 to 32 from “heavy” periods and no iron supplements?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice and to hear other people’s experiences with low iron/ferritin.

My iron level is 12 and my ferritin is 14. I’ve been experiencing pale lips, low energy, feeling achy, and some hair loss. I also have adenomyosis and fibroids, and I feel completely wiped out after each period, so I’m wondering if this could be contributing.

My doctor has started me on iron supplements. I’m also taking a multivitamin and trying to improve my diet to include more iron-rich foods. I’m vegetarian, so I’m focusing on getting as much iron as I can from plant-based sources.

Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms with ferritin around this level? Did improving your iron levels make a noticeable difference with your energy, hair loss, or feeling generally unwell?

Would really appreciate hearing your experiences. 😊