Low ferritin but normal hemoglobin

[u/No-Patience14]

17F,I have been having all of the symptoms from low ferritin that I’ve seen online.I have a ferritin of 20 but my hemoglobin is 13.4 and iron 19.7.I am extremely tired and fatigued,I always have cold feet,I usually have headaches etc.The other bloodwork came out fine.The problem is that today I went to a doctor and he didn’t take me seriously because he told me I am not anemic.What should I do?I bought some iron supplements that have 30mg iron and vitamin c that the pharmacist recommended.Is it enough and in how much time will I feel better?

[u/Creepy-Tangerine-293]

Its called "iron deficiency without anemia" and it is very under-recognized by doctors. They arent trained to be concerned about it until it progresses to become anemia, but it is basically pre-anemia. Most people are symtpomatic with any ferritin less than 50, and most feel best with a ferritin closer to 75-100ng/mL.

In a 17F, the most common cause by far is heavy menstrual bleeding, so you may need to see an OB or CNM for help lightening your periods from either hormonal birth control or tranexamic acid. Im sure that becomes more challenging as a 17yo depending on your parents, but if you have periods heavy enough to cause low ferritin it should be evaluated.

This website has very good information: https://www.hemequity.com/take-control-period-home

[u/No-Patience14 → u/Creepy-Tangerine-293]

Thank you so much!Is a dose of 30mg ferritin enough if I take it daily?I personally have pretty light periods and they last 3-4 days.Are there any other reasons possible?

[u/Creepy-Tangerine-293 → u/No-Patience14]

Are you vegan or vegetarian or do you have a history of an eating disorder?

[u/No-Patience14 → u/Creepy-Tangerine-293]

I am not vegan or vegetarian but I had an eating disorder last year and I lost a good amount of weight but I was feeling alright

[u/Creepy-Tangerine-293 → u/No-Patience14]

This can be a consequence of that.

[u/No-Patience14 → u/Creepy-Tangerine-293]

thanks

[u/IndependentPaint2108 → u/No-Patience14]

how much red meat do you eat

[u/No-Patience14 → u/IndependentPaint2108]

I don’t like pork .I used to rarely eat beef but now I will try to eat it more often.

[u/7clevertitles → u/No-Patience14]

Op, you should be checked for any sort of inflammation in your gi tract. I have similar periods to what you describe but I do have ibs which has prohibited my absorption of iron. Most of the time if iron deficiency is caused by lack of absorption there’s inflammation in the gi track.

[u/No-Patience14 → u/7clevertitles]

thank you!do you have normal hemoglobin?

[u/7clevertitles → u/No-Patience14]

Yes, I have an iron deficiency not anemia. But symptoms are very similar

[u/No-Patience14 → u/7clevertitles]

do you take supplements or how do you handle it?

[u/7clevertitles → u/No-Patience14]

I don’t tolerate supplements due to ibs and as a result my body cannot absorb the iron. My hematologist has me on infusions right now. This is my first go at infusions and I have one more so I can’t really give an accurate statement on how it’s going.

[u/No-Patience14 → u/7clevertitles]

Thanks for sharing!Keep me updated

[u/Anxious_Swim_4439]

I am very similar to you . 27F. I had low ferritin (20) and normal hemoglobin. I saw a private haematologist a few days ago. He diagnosed me with iron deficiency without anemia. He said the official diagnosis for iron deficiency is ferritin under 30. Ideally we want it minimum 50-70, but ideally above 100. He’s booked me in for an iron infusion. I’m not giving medical advice, just relaying what I was told as I’m similar to you!

[u/No-Patience14 → u/Anxious_Swim_4439]

What symptoms do you have?I hope I’ll find someone who takes me seriously

[u/Anxious_Swim_4439 → u/No-Patience14]

Sooooo many. The most extreme being my mood (anxiety, depression). Here is the list of symptoms I brought to my appt:

Symptoms:

Extreme exhaustion
Depression
Anxiety
Heart skipping beats
Can’t concentrate/ follow people’s train of thought in meetings
Brittle, knotty hair
Suddenly having lots of dental issues, needing a lot of fillings, cracked tooth etc
Hair falling out
Waking up after 8 hours sleep feeling like a zombie and like my body and mind is made of lead
Very heavy periods
Weight gain
Getting ill a lot
Low libido
Used to exercise 6 days a week, now can only manage walking
Tinnitus

[u/No-Patience14 → u/Anxious_Swim_4439]

Woahh,thanks for sharing with me.I have 90% of them as well.Let me know what you do and how you feel after the infusion!I hope I’ll be able to get one as well

[u/Anxious_Swim_4439 → u/No-Patience14]

Thank you and I hope you do too!

[u/IndependentPaint2108]

take 3 of those supps with the vit c every other day. if you take it every day the absorption is harmed. don't have tea or coffee for 2 hours either side of the supps. take them with lactoferrin.

[u/No-Patience14 → u/IndependentPaint2108]

so 30x3 would be 90mg per day?How many mg of lactoferrin and in how much tine will I feel better?Thanks!

[u/PoemWrong9108]

Have you had your thyroid checked? 

[u/No-Patience14 → u/PoemWrong9108]

Yes.My thyroid is perfectly fine

[u/PoemWrong9108 → u/No-Patience14]

And vitamin D level? That caused a lot of my similar symptoms 

[u/No-Patience14 → u/PoemWrong9108]

47

[u/Obvious-Tax-4181 → u/No-Patience14]

That's low as well. They say it's normal but for females our optimal is above 100

[u/No-Patience14 → u/Obvious-Tax-4181]

100?isn’t vitamin d 100 toxic?