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Ferritin Levels

Posted , 7 users are following.

al37045
al37045

I’m just wondering whether my symptoms of tiredness and dizziness are anything to do with low iron. I’ve been anaemic on and off since my 20’s as I have heavy periods. My last blood tests show that my Hg level was normal (therefore not anaemic) but my ferritin was at 25. The ‘normal’ range for ferritin in 12-150 for a woman.  So I am deemed ‘normal’. A few doctors have suggested over the years I should get my levels to about 50.

Does anyone else have low ferritin and did your symptoms improve when you increased your ferritin levels?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • dora_39625
    dora_39625 al37045

    Posted

    Hi Al...

    I've had low ferritin levels in past but mine caused hair loss.

    I'm currently experiencing same symptoms so trying to raise ferritin levels.

    A trichologist discovered my low levels few years back but as you say doctors don't deem it low. They are low enough to cause hair loss etc..

    Hope your symptoms improve soon x

    • al37045
      al37045 dora_39625

      Posted

      I know all about the hair loss, I’ve been unblocking the plug hole for years! Luckily mine seems to grow back. 
  • Guest
    Guest al37045

    Posted

    Ferritin of 50 is good but I heard 100 is optimal for women. Mine was 8. I started taking iron supplements which did alleviate some of my symptoms but it also made my cholesterol jump from 163 to 248!! Someone on here told me that’s why you aren’t supposed to take iron. Not sure what the answer is, maybe try upping iron with iron rich foods? Cook with iron pan? 
    • al37045
      al37045 Guest

      Posted

      I’ve had mine down at 7 and was able to increase it up to 36. But that took a good 4 months.

      Interesting. I’ve never heard of iron supplements effecting cholesterol. I’ve been taking iron on and off for 20 years, and my cholesterol has always been good. 

      I also get a full blood count, liver function, cholesterol, kidney function etc etc..Before I start taking iron just to make sure I’m not going to do any damage.  The dr’s always tell me “ you will never take too much iron”....probably because the realise my readings are actually low and I’m never going to reach the high end of that ‘normal’ range.

  • tina00239
    tina00239 al37045

    Posted

    Hi Al, I too have had quite severe anaemia caused by extremely heavy periods since aged 8. I have had iron supplements a couple of times but usually I consume enough iron in my diet to rectify any deficiency. The symptoms you are describing are more like vertigo which is also a common symptom of peri and menopause and causes dizziness and headaches often accompanied by tinitus aswell. I get bad vertigo attacks quite regularly. The dr gives me a pill to relieve the vertigo which helps alot. Hope this helps you XXX
    • brendababy
      brendababy tina00239

      Posted

      Hi Tina, can you let me know what your doc prescribed for dizziness?

      Thank you xx

    • tina00239
      tina00239 brendababy

      Posted

      Sure I can hun. It is a treatment for menieres disease and forward motion problems. Its an anti-hystamine called Cinnarizine and the usual dose for vertigo (dizzy spells) are 2 x 15mg tablets upto 3 times per day. Hope it helps you I tend
    • tina00239
      tina00239

      Posted

      Sorry damn phone is almost as crazy as me! I tend to take 1 pill when I get so dizzy I cant cope but 2 if it happens at night so I can hopefully get some snooze time. Good luck. Hope they help you. XXX
  • kelly55079
    kelly55079 al37045

    Posted

    I've been anemic on and off also.  I now buy a good quality iron vitamin and take one about 3 times a week just as a precaution.   I also take Vid D, coq10,  fish oil and a few others.  My tiredness comes and goes.. I just do what I can.  

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