B12 good, Ferritin bad
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I now have monthly B12 jabs, and over a period of almost 12 months, my B12 has risen from under 100 to 879. This is great, and I can really tell the difference. However my Ferritin levels have failed to improve much, and are still just 22 (normal range 12 - 150). I'd be happy if they reached something like 75. I've been taking iron tablets and will step up the dose (even though they upset my stomach), but I wonder if any other sufferers have taken this long to improve. Is it reasonable for my Ferritin to take so long to rise, or is something else going on?
0 likes, 21 replies
aveline bluemaran
Posted
I've heard that caffeine hinders iron absorption, so I second that advice but I'm learning more - I didn't know about dairy.
Also, are you deficient in anything else...? Poor absorption could be due to Celiac Disease or other cause, which is part of what you were asking in your original post. I'd suggest asking for the endoscopy. My dr. referred me to a GI for one even though my celiac panel looked good when I had bloodwork done - but I was low in B12 and D and my son has CD, so they want to rule it out. Both docs sited what they called "malabsorption" when only 2 areas looked low - this seems to apply in your case, too. Anecdotally, it fits since you're doing well with B12 when it bypasses your digestive system in the form of injections. I sure hope it's not the case, but you may feel better if you can rule it out.
bluemaran aveline
Posted
I'm fairly certain I'm not Celiac - I've had a "cast iron" digestive system all my life, eating anything I like with impunity - but I hear what you say.
I'm going to up my ferrous sulphate plus Vit C intake, drop my second morning tea, and look for an occult blood test kit from the nurse next time I'm in for my monthly jab. If there's anything in that swab, I'll be back for the endo immediately. I deferred it after my dignosis with PA gave a causal factor, and because my gastroscopy (billed as simple and painless) was agony and traumatic due to a very strong gag reaction.
Chemically, I can now readily see how my accellerating B12 profile could be working against my Ferritin reserves in the short term, as my body churns out new red cells.
The trouble with busy General Practitioners is they've neither the specialism, time or inclination to explain things to those of us with the desire to understand more fully. If they'd said to me "As your B12 rises with injections, your Ferritin may fall for a while as your body makes new red cells. Take this high dose iron with Vit C to counteract this, at least until you've reached a B12 plateau for a couple of consecutive quarterly tests" I'd have been better equipped to work with them.
As it is, I was prescribed the iron, but when I asked about Vit C to support it, was told I didn't need it!
I also asked about any dietary changes I might make to help the situation, but nothing was offered. Logically, I should have been advised to chomp through heaps of high iron/Vit C foods and drop the dairy/caffein.
Soooooooo, I'm off down to the shops for eggs, steak, cabbage, oranges and juice! : )
Many thanks to all of you for your advice and support.
Heather2612 bluemaran
Posted