Today’s edition of the British Medical Journal contains an article which summarises guidance from the UK’s National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on the management of chronic fatigue syndrome [1]. Let me start by saying I have special interest in this area, as quite a number of my patients present with ‘fatigue’ (often, long-lasting) for which no specific cause can be found.
My experience is that it is often able for individuals to regain much if not all of their lost energy using, usually, a range of approaches which may address more than one apparent cause. While the recommendations from NICE are better than nothing, my sense is that we prove to be of much use for a significant number of sufferers.
One of the reasons for this is that the recommendations do not embrace some issues that I find are common in CFS including compromised adrenal gland function. And even where a testing is advised, there are reasons why conventional interpretation of results may ‘miss’ something that is relevant clinically.
By way of example, I’m going to focus on NICE’s recommendation to measure ‘ferritin’ levels. Ferritin actually gives a pretty good measure of iron levels in the body. Low iron can cause anaemia (which can cause fatigue), but even if it doesn’t, on it’s own deficiency of this nutrient can cause fatigue. What is more, low iron (ferritin) is common in CFS sufferers, and restoring iron levels often leads to a significant improvement in energy and wellbeing.
NICE’s recommendations are that ferritin levels should be taken in children and young people only. Personally, I don’t agree with this, because in practice I see iron deficiency very commonly in vegetarians (of all ages) and women.
Next, I do think with iron levels it’s important to distinguish what is ‘normal’ from what is ‘optimal’. This week, I’ve been doing some work in Canada which has entailed, among other things, advising people on the results of their ‘medicals’. Ferritin levels are measured in women as a matter of course over here, and the normal range is quoted as 10 – 291 micrograms per litre of blood (mcg/L). Just seeing how wide this ‘normal’ range is set should set alarm bells a’ringing. Are we really saying that two individuals, one with 29 times the iron level of the other, are both ‘normal’.
You see, what is ‘normal’ is something determined by statistical techniques, not common sense, and is utterly arbitrary. Basically, the normal range for ferritin is set too wide. We know this partly from our experience in clinical practice, and partly because there is even some evidence that shows that individuals with iron levels well within the ‘normal’ range can still suffer as a result.
I suppose one of the reasons that I’m writing about this is that almost all the women I have seen this week has ferritin levels that I regard as far from optimal. And none of them had had this mentioned to them or had any advice given regarding this. The most memorable of these was a women who complained she lacked ‘stamina’. She turned in a ferritin of 4 (yes, four). And despite this being even lower than the ‘normal’ range, this seemed to have been ignored by her doctor. Personally, I think iron does not get enough attention, and yet I find it’s often critically important to those who are suffering from chronic fatigue or simply feel ‘below’ par.
The article pasted In below includes more information of the value of optimal iron levels with regard to brain function, and also offers some advice about iron supplementation.
References:
1. Baker R, et al. Diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy): summary of NICE guidance. BMJ 2007;335:446-448
Metal fatigue – iron deficiency found to slow brain function in women – posted on 12 March 2007
While medical practice generally turns a blind eye to the value of nutrition in health, it has at least embraced the importance of certain specific nutrients including iron. Iron is important for the manufacture of haemoglobin ” the protein in the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen around the body and delivering it to the tissues. Iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, which can lead to symptoms which include fatigue and low mood.
What is less well recognised about iron is that it participates in the reactions that generate energy within the body. It is possible for individuals to become iron deficient without becoming anaemic. However, iron deficiency in the absence of anaemia can still cause individuals to suffer symptoms such as fatigue and low mood. This is particularly common in women of child-bearing age, particularly as a result of loss of iron via menstrual blood each month.
The relationship between iron status, anaemia and mental function was recently studied in a group of 149 women aged 18-35 years. At the beginning of the study, women were classified as being either iron-sufficient, iron deficient and anaemic, or iron deficient in the absence of anaemia. All women were put through their paces with 8 tests of mental function.
At the beginning of the study, the iron-sufficient women performed better and completed the mental tasks more quickly than the iron deficient anaemic women. Cognitive performance and task completion results among the iron deficient non-anaemic women fell between the iron sufficient women and iron deficient anaemic women.
Women who were iron deficient were then treated with iron supplements for a period of 8 weeks. At the end of the study, a significant improvement in serum ferritin was associated with a 5-7 fold improvement in mental function. The authors of this study concluded, Iron status is a significant factor in cognitive performance in women of reproductive age. They went on to add that the severity of iron deficiency affects accuracy of cognitive function over a broad range of tasks.
In medicine, we commonly check for anaemia. However, we much less commonly check for iron status. I do think it is important for individuals to be alert to the fact that iron deficiency in the absence of anaemia have adverse effects on health and wellbeing.
In my experience, the best test for iron levels in the body is what is known as the ‘serum ferritin’. It is my experience is that ferritin levels of less than about 50 are generally associated with symptoms such as fatigue, low mental energy and low mood. As I said, women of child-rearing age are at risk of this. This is particularly true for vegetarians and vegans in my experience.
Those not wishing to stoke up on liver and red meat may wish to contemplate supplementation. Many iron supplements are not well absorbed, however. One that I find useful in practice is Floradix – a liquid form of iron that is available from most health food stores.
References:
1. Murray-Kolb LE, et al. Iron treatment normalizes cognitive functioning in young women Am J Clin Nutr, 2007;85(3): 778-787
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I have been very interested reading this site,as for 3-4 yrs now i have suffered from lethargy,some days could fall asleep when shut eyes and have a sinking feeling.Often feeling low in mood,at least every 6-8 wks when been particularly busy would end up in bed for a day with aching limbs ,hot and cold ,feeling generally unwell.My periods are very heavy ,increasingly so.
Had full blood count done 2 weeks ago-Hb was 10.Ferritin was 5.
Finally i know why,this may also explain episodes of palpitations,and always feeling cold.
I have starten ferrous sulphate three times a day-has anyone heard of adding vit b12 and folic acid to help?
Thanks.
last summer I was having heart palpitations, extreme fatique difficulty thinking. I felt like I was in my own little world. b/c heart disease runs in my family my DR. took me thru a series of EKG’S stress test , ect. everything looked good. however labs came back with my platelet count a little low my wbc low and ferritin @7. it’s been a yr of taking ferrous sulfate and my platelet count is still low wbc still low the hematologist said that I could just naturally be that way and my ferritin is at 54 but she wants me to continue on the iron pills for another yr. everyone seems to say within 3-4 months they’re where they need to be. so why is it taking 2 years to build my ferrritin back up? also when I mentioned the tiredness and palpitations to the dr. she said low ferritin would not cause this, so what was causing it then? luckily after a few months on the iron pills it almost all went away. coincidence?
I have never been anemic but was experiencing hair loss for a number of years. I’m a 58 year old female. My doctor checked my ferritin level and it was 28. She told me that anything under 70 can cause hair loss. I also have heart palpitations and fatigue.
The information presented here is helpful. I might try the
Floradix.
Having thyroid and adrenal issues, I found out that my ferritin levels dropped over period of time and now not quite sure what is the best way to increase the levels safely. My levels came back 39 which is just at the border levels so thinking of getting oral iron to raise it.
Spatone is a natural iron supplement which many ‘alternative’ doctors recommend. I am taking it myself. It doesn’t have the constipation and black stools side effects of the ferrous sulphate tablets you’ll get from GPs if you are in the UK.
Hello – I wonder if you can help?
I was diagnosed with Iron Deficient Anaemia in Jaunuary this year. My blood count was 7. I felt like the walking dead. Since then I have been taking Ferrous Sulphate (200mg) twice a day at first for three weeks when my count went up to 10, and then it stuck at 10 and went no further (should be 13.5). After a gastroscopy to check for celiac in February, and a colonoscopy in April a medium sized polyp was removed from my bowel and Ferrous Sulphate was increased to 3x daily.
But although my blood count rose to 10.8 it then fell to 10.3 and is now at 10.5.
This has all taken since January and I still feel lousy!!
Twice in the last month I have been very sick in the night for no apparent reason.
Is it ok for me to take Floradix AS WELL AS the iron pills? And have you heard of Doctor Colin Ainley a London gastro-enterologist who has invented a drug called MALTOFER which is supposed to have amazing results, but is not available on the NHS.
Any ideas on all this? Help!! Many thanks, I’m getting desperate to get well again, and would like to get back to work. Ruth
Hi, I just got out of Intensive Care. My heart went into Atrial Fibillation and my heart rate for 7 days was upward of 185. This was caused due to my critically low ferritin level of 5 and high blood pressure. Mostly the low iron (ferritan ). I highly recommend any of you that have irregular heart beats and a low ferritin level to get to someone who knows what they are doing. I nearly lost my life and fortunately, Upon doing a TEE. A trachial echo, they found no blood clots, and they were able to shock my heart back into a normal rythm..However I am taking vitamin b-12 supplements to get my iron back up..
Seriously.. do not wait.. Doctors do not seem to understand ANYTHING that has to do with iron. It is best to seek a specialist in that area…
Seriously, so many interesting stories on here, but does anyone qualified ever read them to answer them?
Just as an appendum to my story I had serious nausea and vomiting attacks recently, and it was reckoned to be the long term (five months) use of so much ferrous sulphate. I’ve come off it totally (my choice) and no more nausea or vomiting or stomach pains.
I feel much better but no energy and blood count still far too low, ferritin level also much too low at 9.
Every doctor seems to have a different opinion on ferritin levels, the GP I saw when I was so sick said 9 was low but ok. This is not what Dr.Briffa says in his article.
I am a 35YO female with CFS. I have had documented low ferritin for 10 years and all MDs have always ignored or just said, take a little iron (if you want to). It was 7 many years ago, got up to 10 in 2007 and it’s now down to 4. I’m saddened by the ignorance re: iron deficiency. I bought Floradix today and I’m trying to convince my MD about doing an IV iron infusion. We’ll see. I think the info provided in this blog is invaluable and I just might be fwd or printing it for my MD. Thanks for all your input.
Hello Dr. Briffa:
Many thanks for your valuable advise upon ferritin and related issues. I need your help too. I am 38 years old, unmarried and vegatarian. I had 3 blood tests done over the past 1.5 months. My ferritin levels were 5, 7 and 5. Haemoglobin was 11.2, 11.9 and 10.2 (must have dropped because I donated blood 3 weeks before the last blood test).
My doctor has ordered H-Piroly (I think so) , serum something somthing….and stool test. He wanted to put me on supplements but I denied for it as I wanted to know the cause of the problem.
I eat iron rich food with vitamin C to enhance non heme iron absorption as I love to donate blood, I do not have heavy menstruation and surprisingly enough I do not have any apparent symptoms like feeling tired, fatigue, or having concentration probelm, or seeing blurry-nothing of the sort. I try to walk on an average for about 2 hours a day 4-5 times a week. I work well and do not feel any apparent change in the body. I sleep early and wake up early too, having on an average of atleast 8 hours of sleep. I do have itchy anus mostly at night when I am slepping and at rare times duing the day too. I have a tag (I think so, round like) at the entrance of the anus on the inside and at times when I am scratching I see blood in my finger. I assume it must be from the tag (or don’t know what else could it be).
Do you know what could be the possible reason for such low ferritin level? I want to avoid taking iron pills as it will prohibit me from donating blood if it is prescribed by the doctor and I LOVE to donate blood.
Please share your knowledge with me and other patients too.
Kind regards,
Sheela.
Sheela
Non-animal sources of iron (non-haem iron) is not very well absorbed, particularly by some people. The fact that you are vegetarian and, I assuming, menstruating each month, is more than enough to explain your low ferritin in my experience.
Hello Dr:
Thanks for your reply. I have my past reports from other years too where the ferritin levels were in one year 60 and and in another 28. These were way far from 5. Could the reason still be being vegetarian and menstruating?
Is there any other way to enhance absorption apart from taking citrus rich food?
Sheela.
Supplementing iron therapy by drinking nettle tea twice a day, eating Chinese red dates every day, along with weekly acupuncture for anemia can help increase iron levels.
Funny you mentioned your patient had Ferritin 4. I have just been told my was 3 ! and heamoglobin 9. I have started iron and will have to go back to test in three months.
I suffer from exhaustion, dizziness, lack of motivation or ability to concentrate, heart palpitations that would not let me sleep, would wake up often and couldn’t go back to sleep for hours. Just I was going downhill in every way possible. My menstrual cycle was such that I had bled heavily for two months until they put in mirena coil. I am slightly improving since it’s only been two weeks on iron supplement. Must take it with orange juice or it will cause me awful stomach ache and sickness. So let’s hope my fatigue will improve. All the best for the rest of you’s that have same problems.
Dont take Ferrous Sulphate if it makes you sick Ruth. I couldn’t take it either because of the stomach pains. I have better experience with Ferrous Gluconate, ask your doctor for it. It seems to work fine if I take it in the evening after dinner with a glass of orange juice.
For 5 years I complained of feeling horribly tired, sleeping alot, just not to standard for my age wich is now 34. I also had tingling in my fingers, hair loss, mood swings, trouble concentrating. so my doctors fed me increasing amounts of anti-depresants, when they didnt work they switched to different ant-depressant to no avail. At a point i was ready to acept I just wasnt energedic and never would be, I moved and had to get a new doctor. So I tried once more. They checked a ferritin level on me and found it to me a 6. After 2 months I am feeling better, and as far as depression…..it doesn’t always explain why a woman is tired and I am annoyed about all the time I lost to narrow minded doctors.
I have just been told that my ferretin level is a 6, the only reason they took the blood test was that I was have been burping a lot lately and they booked me in for an endoscopy. I have started taking 420mg a day of Ferrous Fumerate – have been taking it for around 10 days with no adverse effects – I am now eating an iron rich diet – can’t believe how much iron bran flakes has in it!
I do not eat any kind of meat, my periods have got a little heavier in the last 12 months (I am just 49).
I have been able to sustain 2 vigorous sessions at the gym, with a trainer, each week, plus miles and miles of walking for every week in the last year – – I have been able to do this apparently because my haemoglobin level is a very healthy 12, despite the low 6 for ferritin, so have plenty of oxygen floating around to do the fitness stuff.
I find the posts above, interesting that mention the heart, I had an ablation for atrial fibrillation 2 years ago and all has been well until the last few months, where my AF has come back with a vengeance. I am soooooo hoping that my low ferritin level has played a part in this.
They now want to do a colonoscopy as the endoscopy showed up nothing that untoward, apart from a small hernia and mild gastritis.
Here’s hoping for a much better 2010!
Hi,
I am a 31yr old woman who has always sturggled to put on weight and have had decreasing energy levels for the past 10 years. In 2007 I was admitted to Hospital with bloody diarrea that was stopped with steroid treatment. Whilet still on the steriods I had a colonoscopy which showed nothing strage, although the rigid sigmoidoscopy on the ward showed inflammation on which basis I was told it might be Crohns. I was later told it was just IBS.
Now in 2010 I have had bloody stools for a month, I am very constipated and can barely concentrate on work. When I am extrememly tired I get light headed, nauseaus and have heart palpatations. I have recently been screened for Coeliacs but the test came up negative and I do not have an IgA deficiany, although my serum ferritin levels came back as 4.
Any advice would be fantastic as I don’t know how much longer I can cope with feeling this tired.
Thankyou.
This is amazing! All these testimonials make low feritin seem like it’s epidemic! Mine is a 7 and I have been experiencing what I call “crushing fatigue.” I’m supplementing with Floradix + Herbs liquid iron supplement and after just one week into it, I think I’m starting to feel a little more zip. I also have hypothyroidism and wonder if there is a relationship there? I can’t wait to feel like myself again! I thought I was depressed and just didn’t know it.
To Dr. Briffa and all the people who have written comments.
I have been having trouble with my memory for some time. I’ve also been extremely tired, even after more than 8 hours of sleep. In addition, I find at times that it takes me about 10 seconds to register what someone has said much to the consternation of the people I’m speaking to.
My husband has found it hard to believe that anyone can be as forgetful and unconcentrated as I am and feels that I am just acting this way to annoy him. This situation has caused quite a strain on our relationship. I myself have also found it unbelievable and was beginning to question my own sanity.
Several people told me it was due to taking care of 4 small children but having been very active before children, it didn’t make sense that I wouldn’t have more energy as they keep me exercising all day.
I saw a doctor a year ago with these symptoms thinking that perhaps it was a late onset of post-partum depression. I was told that my iron level was “a little low” but could be easily corrected by eating more red meat. The conclusion: there was nothing physically wrong with me other than I just needed to eat more burgers and steak which was definitely not something I was going to have a problem with.
A year later, I still have the same symptoms. After having a really bad ‘concentration’ day, I decided to try another doctor.
I found a wonderful GP who believes in using natural remedies when they’ve proven to work better than their prescription counterparts. He ran several blood tests which showed that my iron level is 3. He said that this was definitely a reason to feel as I was. I cannot express how wonderful it was to be told that not only was I not crazy, but the problem I had was easily correctable and I should probably be back to my old self in a few months.
In researching iron-deficiencies, I came across your blog and was comforted by the comments and stories of people who have been through similar circumstances. It was more helpful than any of the sites that offered just ‘the facts’.
I still have questions ie. does milk/cheese hinder iron absorption? As I do not seem to fall into any of the categories of why my iron is low, this is the only reference that I noticed might apply to me. Also, how bad is 3?
Things that I have learned that have helped me:
1) iron-deficiency is extremely common
2) concentrated store-bought iron supplements are not often absorbed well and can cause unpleasant side effects as I learned from personal experience.
3) health stores may have supplements that are derived from more natural sources and include vitamins that help your body to absorb the iron so you don’t need to take as high of a dose.
Thank you again everyone. I’m excited to get well and pray you do too.
To Rikki, if Rikki happens to visit this page after so long an interval of time:
The excess weight that distresses you is sodium and water retention because of taking the prednisone. If you cut down significantly on your intake of salt/sodium/salty food, you will lose some of this fluid retention from your body by way of excreting extra urine, and you will find that you can eat more food. It is your salt intake that you need to reduce, not your food intake.
I do hope that you will see this suggestion sometime and find it helpful. There is more detailed information on my website.
This blog has been an absolute wealth of knowledge, thankyou. It in a way has been music to my ears. I thought I was really loosing my marbles.I’m 42 and when my 2nd child hit 1 1/2 my symptoms began, what a nightmare. Ive been battling something which I have now concluded is low ferritin for about 11 1/2 years. The symptoms have been intermittent and include off balance feeling, like I’m lost somewhere in space, fatigue,almost exhaustion,palpitaions,rapid heart beat,cold feet,no inspiration and I think that’s it. Over the years I’ve been to every “ologist”under the sun. I’ve treated each symptom individually, because GP’s always say that if your ferritin is in normal range you should be feeling normal.I feel this is so far from the truth it’s just not funny. Mine has been down to 10 and currerntly sits at 23 and I still feel like crap. The only time I managed to get it up to 90 was when I was on the pill and I also then felt alive. Due to my age I’m now going back on the Mini Pill for a while and dosing up on an iron liquid and will see what happens. It’s certainly a process and you need a lot of patience. Frustration plus and very depressing.I can relate to all of these comments and think ferritin is definetly underrated. I will keep you posted on how my current plan is going. Perservere everyone,you’re not going mad.I’m going to get myself some of those organic chicken livers can hardly wait!!
I have been unwell for the last year. Have had fainting episodes, headaches, chest pain, palpitations, numbness, extreme weakness and tiredness (among tons of other things) I have been to see my regular GP over and over again and have been told it is all down to stress/depression and have been prescibed all kinds of anti depressants, have had an angiogram, a brain scan, have had so many “investigations” and my GP has said that “he has come to the end of the road” with me and as everything was normal I should just “live with” my feelings as I was in danger of becoming a hyperchondriac! After every test came back negative and was treated so badly by my GP I was also coping with depression and started to think I was going mad. When it all began he ran a FBC and it came back midly anaemic. Was put on iron for two months and it seemed to have corrected itself but I continued to feel really ill.
A month ago a new GP started at the surgery and I thought I would try once more and see if I could get some answers from someone completely new. I had been googling my symptoms and I was wondering whether it could be down to some kind of dysautonomia. She said she was not allowed to refer me for testing as it would be “going against” what my regular GP wanted! What she would do was run some more blood tests.
Normally at my surgery, they make an appointment and contact you if anything turned up. I didn’t hear anything but after two weeks I thought I would just ring to make sure. The results person said my ferritin was slightly out of range. My ferritin was 6! The notes on the results were to await paitent contact which means its nothing unless the patient has any symptoms that need looking into!
I thought this was ok then (another normal result) and I would contact her about being referred for dysautonomia. When I called her she said, yes I have just glanced at your blood results. You’re not anaemic but I’d like to start you on iron before we talk about referring you. I’m completely confused. I don’t really know what this means. All I know is I feel ill and I don’t really know whether they know what they are doing around there. I’ve been taking the iron for three days and although I don’t expect to feel better yet, I didn’t expect to feel worse. I feel weaker and keep getting a terrible stabbing pain in my left shoulder. I just don’t know what is going on. I don’t feel like I can go round there because of the way they make me feel. Can anyone advise me on whether I’m being treated correctly here and why I might be feeling worse. Thank you in advance of any help.
Hi, I’m 32 year old woman. Last 2 week I suffer from vertigo especially when rotating. I’ve seen my doctor and I’ve got very peculiar blood test results. Here they are:
Leukocytes 5.0 x10^9 /L
Erythrocytes 4.34 x10^12 /L
Hemoglobin 128 g/L
Hematocrite .384 L/L
MCV 88.5 fL
MCH 29.5 pg
MCHC 333 g/L
RDW-KV 12.4%
Trombocytes 191×10^9 /L
MPV 8.5 fL
Glucose 4.8 mmol/L
Aspartate-aminotrasferase 18 U/L
Alanine-aminotransferase 15 U/L
Gama-glutamimiltransferase 16 U/L
Cholesterol 5.12 mmol/L
Triglycerides 1.33 mmol/L
Iron 35.1 micromol/L
UIBC 37.0 micromol/L
TIBC 72.1 micromol/L
Ferritine 15.91 ng/ml
So, what concerns me is Low feritine and high Iron. Can you tell me what could it be?
Thank you any help in advance!
hi any advice would be greatly appreciated, i am a 45 year old female with chronic fatigue, i sleep about 9 hours every night and can easily have 2 or 3 hours in the afternoon, i literally could fall asleep all day long, i look terrible and people are commenting on how ill i look. i have heavy periods and have recently had blood results with hb – 11 and ferritin – 6 . i have upped by iron intake in my diet greatly.
i went to see my gp yesterday and he said my blood levels are normal, any advice would be greatly appreciated
hi was wondering if u could help i have a 14mth old boy with iron level 2 and hemoglobin of 6.8 i really really want to know if this is so low i should be worried and asking the doc more questions he is iron extra iron 2ml a day
thanku so much i am so worried about him
I hadn’t been feeling well for months, was short of breath, sleeping for very long periods of time (20 hours at a time). I actually thought I had mono since I was a teenager and in college. I told my neurologist who I see for migraines and he did some blood work. My iron level came back at 3. I feel fine now after taking iron almost every day for a few months. I really appreciate the fact that the neurologist picked up on this and listened to me. I know this is comonly missed by a lot of physicians.
Lisa-The levels that your son has (iron-2, hemoglobin 6.8) are pretty low. I work in an emergency department and we would usually give a blood transfusion for a hemoglobin lower than 8. Children can be more resiliant and tend to bounce back faster but they also aren’t able to tell us when they are sick. I know you didn’t say if they had a reason for these abnormal values but it probably would be helpful to see a hematologist. They specialize in blood disorders and abnormalities and might be able to tell you more about why this is happening. Usually you would have to see a pediatric hematogist which would be at a children’s hospital or a large hospital that specializes in pediatrics. If you are doubting the doctor I would suggest you get a second opinion or see a specialist. It’s better to be safe than sorry
Hi, i am female vegertarian and have been for 12 years now, i also eat little dairy and drink soya milk rather than cows milk. For the past few months i have been feeling constantly tired and rundown , i do work full time and have a child but i do make sure i get around 7 hrs sleep a night. I am also epileptic and my siezures have also got also worse over the past 2 years since my son was born. After 6 hours at work im constantly yawning and sometimes end up falling asleep in the office even though i may not have done alot that day. I had the implano (birth control chip) put in a few months back and now im constantly bleeding so does this have something to do with it or is it how i eat?
Hi, I am a 53 year old female and have a severe anemia for 18 years. levels ahve been as low as 4.1. I am now at 8.1 but my FE is 7 and my ferrit: 1.7. I have not been prescribed anything but if I don’t have something done how long will it take and if I wait will the levels go back up by themselves? I do go to a health club every morning but only because I am pushed in to it by my roommmate. I is a healthclub nut and works out daily and has a great physique!!! I find I get breatless and dizzy all the time. MY GP said i do have heart palpatations. Should I be working out??
I am 54 yrs old, still having regular periods and on estimation losing about 800mls each time. My hb recently was 133 and ferritin 20. Should I take a supplement? Am feeling tired, down and achy.
For years I had elevated hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood count. I stopped taking a vitamin with iron. The levels dropped to norml but when I had my serum ferritin checked, it was 17. My naturopath wanted me to get the serum ferritin levels up to 75-100, and now I’m at 50. Guess what? Hematocrit, red blood count, and some other iron count are all now high and my regular doctor wants me to stop the iron. I guess I have to choose between low serum ferritin and normal hematocrit and red blood counts, OR normal serum ferritin and really high hematocrit and red blood counts. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Which is more important? I’ve read that high red blood cell counts and hematocrit can lead to “sticky” blood which can cause some serious problems.
I’m tired all the time, forgetful, and just feel blah. I don’t want to do anything but sleep (I don’t think I’m depressed–been there, done that and this is different). I feel tired after a night’s sleep, even though I got a $4000 sleep dentisty appliance that lets me sleep without waking. I do have sleep apnea but it seems like it shouldn’t be a factor in the tiredness now that I’m able to breathe all night.
Any ideas?
I was told that on a CBC I had “low iron levels” so they ran iron tests, and found 7 ferritin (low is 8), 28 iron (low is 50), 445 transferrin (high is 360), and 4% saturation (low is 15%). I have a mitochondrial disease, which until it was diagnosed appeared like a CFS syndrome.
I just started iron, but I’ve had trouble with literally passing out. I am concentrating on eating lots of vegetables to keep things running smoothly since I was warned about the iron causing constipation.
It was a surprise that I had low iron levels, because although I’ve had anemia before, it was when I was a teenager, underweight (over now LOL), and had heavy periods. Now I rarely have periods due to continuous BC to help decrease fatigue from blood loss, and they tend to be light although I did have a two-day heavy episode (still not that bad).
No red meat due to hemoccult test in the works, and I find it hard to concentrate. Regular doctor says it is likely a GI bleed, but my GI doctor has not gotten back to me (though due to see him beginning of December).
The scary part is that I have stomach and colon cancer in my family, and I hate the idea of “get the iron levels up and we’ll worry about what’s bleeding next”. I work full-time and cannot take sick days, though my schedule is flexible sometimes so I can get 20 hours of sleep in if I need it once per week.
It seems like there are a lot of people with anemia out there, and the only difference is that my Hgb has not depleted my iron stores yet (well 12.1 when 12.5 is the low doesn’t seem too bad). Though I had fatigue, we thought it was my chronic neuromuscular disease until regular labs showed a problem.
I definitely have the hair loss issue, I have very little hair in the back now. It would be wonderful if not only my iron levels came up, but my hair started to grow back!
I would like to know how long it should take for ferritin levels to rise.
I have Crohn’s, I also have uterine fibroids that are being treated (ie. I’m on progesterone to stop any periods – they are really heavy, probably because of the fibroids) and these fibroids are soon to be (hopefully) removed.I am 34 yearsold. How long should it take to restore ferritin levels, because it seems mine are taking ages to replenish. Does anybody know? Sure, maybe it could be dueto the Crohn’s (malabsorption)but i don’t think so. In the space of 4 months ferritin levels have increased from 9 to 14. im not anaemic – any comments?? does anybody know?
Sir,
Kindly suggest how to make balance between foods which at one side increase iron level in blood and simultaneously increase bad cholestrol like liver and eggs.
Does anyone know where I can order the mouth test for thyroidism? Thanks
Hello, I have a Ferritin of 7!!!! I have been battling Hoshimotos Thyriditis for several years now. The things that have helped are : Gluten free diet, Chlorophyl!!!!, and magnesium at night. I also take vegetarian based Iron. My level has gone up to a 12 in a years time. Very slow, but, it is going up. CHHLOROPHYL is amazing at helping give me energy while I fight to get my level of Iron back up. Try it!!!!
hello
had anemia 2 yrs ago treted with iron tablet over a course of 4 months felt better…4 months ago i started to get the symptons again had bloods done told not anemic proberley anxiou, felt anxious when i had anemia before and that went once i started treatment..anyway just finshed a heavy period feeling really fatigued breahless low energy have cold hands went to drs yesterday and had blood taken i really wished i had read this site before i went as i would ask about ferrin levals especially as they said my bloods were ok 4 months ago ive had a lot of time of work with dizzy spells etc im told i look really pale too. what i want to know is will they test the ferrin leval anyway? or do i have to ask for this test if the bloods come back ok again? many thanks jj
Wow!!
I have been reading about ferritin levels since I had m last blood test and my Ferritin level is 431. This is alarming as the high end of the acceptable range is 200. Can someone help?
I recently had blood work done (on my own since I lack health insurance). It was a complete “wellness” workup where it included a CBC and other testing. From what I gather from my research I am anemic. I have ordered another test for ferritin because I have read that ferritin is what I can use to figure out if my anemia is caused by a lack of an iron rich diet or caused by chronic illness. I have been dealing with fatigue and lack of motivation for years. I was told in 1992, when diagnosed with Mono, that I was “borderline anemic” (Which I now find out is another way of saying you are anemic). So I wonder if I have been anemic for years without knowing it. I have one child and was never told that my iron was low but at the time of pregnancy I was taking prenatals and eating meat. I know my diet has been lacking in the iron rich foods so I am using common sense in determining my anemia but want to make sure before I start supplements. Can anyone help me to figure out (based on my initial testing) just how anemic I may be?
Here are the parts of the test that deal with blood:
Carbon Dioxide = 19 mmol/L (ref 20-32)
Iron,Serum = 19 ug/dL (ref 35-155)
WBC= 5.3 x10E3/uL (ref interval = 4.0-10.5)
RBC =3.78 x10E6/uL (ref = 3.8-5.10)
Hemoglobin= 9.0 g/dL (ref 11.5-15.0)
Hematocrit = 28.7 % (34.0-44.0)
MCV = 76 fL (ref 80-98)
MCH = 23.8 pg (ref 27.0-34.0)
MCHC = 31.4 g/dL (ref32.0-36.0)
RDW = 16.3 % (ref 11.7-15.0)
Platelets = 293 x10E3/uL (ref 140-415)
Neutrophils = 56 % (ref 40-74)
Lymphs = 32 % (ref 14-46)
Monocytes = 8 % (ref 4-13)
Eos = 3 % (ref 0-7)
Basos = 1 % (ref 0-3)
Immature cells
Neurtophils (absolute) = 3.0 x10E3/uL (ref 1.8-7.8)
Lymphs (Absoulte) = 1.7 x10E3/uL (ref 0.7-4.5)
Monocytes(absolute) = 0.4 x10E3/uL (ref 04.-1.0)
Eos (Absolute) = 0.2 x10E3/uL (ref0.0-0.4)
Baso (Absolute) = 0.0 x10E3/uL (ref 0.0-0.2)
Immature Granulocytes = 0
Immature Grans (Abs) = 0.0
Can anyone help me to better treat myself using this information? I cannot afford to have the doctor run more expensive tests especially if it is just for an iron deficiency caused by my poor food choices, excessive chocolate eating, pregnancy and an illness back in 92. Thanks in Advance for any help. To be honest I am hoping that my ferritin levels are low so that there is no doubt in my mind about the cause of the anemia. Anyone have similar test results?
P.S. Is iron, serum different than the ferritin iron serum? Are they two separate tests? Thanks
I have been struggling with iron deficiency for close to two years and it has been one of the most frustrating experiences of my life. I have had to deal with doctors that dismiss my complaints of exhaustion, shortness of breath, slow muscle recovery and bad skin as “normal”, no matter how many times I said that this is NOT normal for me. I, essentially, had to treat myself. Fortunately, I had success switching iron supplements. However, I still have to continue a realtively high dose of elemental iron to maintain my serum ferretin values. I would like to know the cause of my iron deficiency and why it would appear suddenly with no apparent cause. I sometimes worry that because I wasn’t taken seriously, something serious was missed. I feel like the medical system has failed me in this respect.
I had suffered for 10 years with , low energy, exhaustion, rapid and irregular heartbeat, hair loss etc….like so many other people have described here. Year after year, doctor after doctor, they all said, well you are not anemic. None of them bothered to tell me that that my ferritin was low. After reading pages and pages of stories like those above I finally just “lied” to my doctor and said I had been anemic in college, to get them to run a full iron panel. My circulating iron was indeed low, my ferritin was 35 (after self treating for 6 months with ridiculous quantities of beef liver and methyl b12). I finally started taking “Bifera” (a combination of heme-iron and a polysacharide iron designed to raise ferritin levels almost as fast as IV iron) and OMG I have my life back. I have not felt this good since my early 20′s. Floradix helped too but Bifera helped faster. It may take years to get my hair back but at least I have the energy to care for my children again and to be the wife my husband married. I seriously wonder how many people out there have been wrongly diagnosed with CFS when in fact they just desperately need iron.
Hello,
This is quite an old artical, although completely fasinating for me. I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome aged 12, so 6 years ago now. I am a veggie, and have been my whole life. I have had my ups and downs, being ill for so long so young, and recently moved to a new area. I went to my new GP with low moods, tiredness, falling asleep and a vague dizzyness and hazy feeling when I was tired. I was also feeling dizzy very often and just really down about everything. My new GP is wonderful, she got full bloodworks done on me and the results came back with the lowest iron levels she had seen in someone who was not anemic.
After reading this artical I feel so hopeful and so happy that I won’t be ill for the rest of my life!
hi.
try hematinic formula by solgar.