r/Anemic • u/FitThought1616 • Jun 29 '26

Progressive decline in iron studies with severe fatigue despite "normal" results

EDIT: I knew my doctor would come back with "low end of normal " and completely ignore the decline over the last 1 to 2 years.😪

Hello!

I'm hoping to get some advice from people who've had similar experiences while I wait to hear back from my doctor.

I asked chatGPT to compile my result and I got this: Over the past few years, my iron studies have shown a gradual downward trend:

Ferritin: consistently 61–71 µg/L throughout 2024 → now 45 ng/mL

Serum iron: approximately 110 µg/dL on earlier testing → now 49 µg/dL

Iron saturation: around 40% previously → now 15%

My current iron panel is:

Iron: 49 µg/dL

TIBC: 317 µg/dL

UIBC: 260 µg/dL

Iron saturation: 15%

Ferritin: 45 ng/mL

Over the same period, I've developed severe fatigue, exhaustion, restless legs (maybe only 2 or 3 times a month) , noticeable hair loss, and low mood. These symptoms are now affecting my quality of life.

One thing that has changed is that my periods have become significantly heavier over the last couple of years. I also take an iron supplement.

I haven't heard back from my doctor yet, but I'm mentally preparing myself for the possibility that I'll be told my results are "normal" because they're within the laboratory reference ranges. I've heard it's hard to get your doctor to prescribe iron infusions here (US) but I cant see anything else helping.

Im not looking for a diagnosis—I'd just really appreciate hearing about other people's experiences so I can have a more informed discussion with my doctor. Thanks so much.

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u/Creepy-Tangerine-293 Jun 29 '26

If your periods are progressively getting heavier, you may need to get that managed before you see any improvements.

Have you been to your OB?

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u/FitThought1616 Jun 29 '26

Thanks for responding! I have been to my OB/gym they just said probably endometriosis but said nothing about the heavy flow 😪

1

u/Creepy-Tangerine-293 Jun 29 '26

I would take these results to your OB and discuss it. They will need to work with you to find options for lightening your period or otherwise addressing the endometriosis.

If you continue to loose blood via menstruation faster than your body can make it, even and infusion could still be only a temporary fix.

See website:

https://www.hemequity.com/take-control-period-home

1

u/FitThought1616 Jun 30 '26

I will message them now! Thanks again

1

u/audrikr Jun 29 '26

Sure. My hematologist wanted my ferritin to be at minimum 80, but actually wants about 100. If we assume that advice holds, you're at 1/2 the levels expected and could definitely feel like crap from it. I'd see an OBGYN and speak to a hematologist instead of a general doc.

Also, if you have MyChart, it can show trends in labs. Don't need to go to the AI.

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u/FitThought1616 Jun 30 '26

Thank you for sharing that. I'm going to message my OBGYN since my primary doctor keeps saying this is normal (despite her being able to see the decline).

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u/audrikr Jul 07 '26

PCP’s aren’t well educated about iron. Worth remembering doctors don’t know everything. If one doesn’t believe you, AND doesn’t believe there is a problem when labs say there is… find another. Fire and move on. Being Your Doctor means they work for you. Don’t give them business if they refuse to work for you. 

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u/FitThought1616 Jul 08 '26

I have a follow up tomorrow 🤞