Tired of feeling tired all the time. Is it the menopause or low ferritin?

I’ve been experiencing fatigue for the past 2-3 years and am tired of feeling tired all the time.

A couple of years ago it became clear that I’m post-menopausal (I’m now 50) and am using HRT. This has helped with many of the symptoms (joint and muscle pain for example) but hasn’t alleviated the fatigue in any way. I recently switched the method by which I take the progesterone element of my HRT to reduce the risk of it causing fatigue (it’s a well-known side effect). However, in addition to being post-meno, my ferritin levels are also consistently on the lower end of the range. My last bloods in March gave a ferritin level of 23ug/L. The range is 23-300ug/L. Drs/nurse practitioner disinterested in this as a potential cause for fatigue. However, last month I contacted the private arm of a nearby hospital and one of their consultant haematologists, having reviewed my bloods, agreed to see me (for a fee). I probed the secretary I dealt with as much as I could but the only nugget she’d share was “the threshold is often lower for private.”

I haven’t yet made an appointment but have been taking ferrous fumarate 305mg on alternate days for the past month. No improvement in energy as yet.

Has anyone else had any experience of struggling with borderline ferritin levels? I should add that in addition to the fatigue I also suffer with hair loss, palpitations and breathlessness.

Thanking you in advance for any advice you can give.

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