Low ferritin & treatment

[Deb 27]

So, my ferritin has been low (12) and my hair has been falling out. I was hoping just increasing the iron in my diet would help but it really hasn't. So, I  have started taking a liquid chelated iron. Anybody else have experience with getting their iron stores up? I hope this works. So far, so good. I knew regular iron would  hurt my stomach. Some also have a lot of other vitamins in them and I didn't want that. I got this at whole foods and it wasn't expensive. I hope it helps my fatigue as well.

[irish]

I would advise you to take any iron supplement under a doctors direction. People are not aware that getting too much iron can be very dangerous. It can even be fatal. It does take a long time to get the ferritin level up and mine had been down below 20 and down as low as 6 over the past 10 years. My doc just throw her hands in the air and said enough of that as far as trying to win the battle with supplements, I had iron infusions last March and my ferritin level cam way up and my hemg has stayed up also. I will interested to see how long it takes for the ferritin level to get too low again.

A lot of us have anemia related to the autoimmune diseases that we have. I also have pancreatic insufficiency probably related to
Sjogrens, and this causes poor absorption of the food that I eat. Also, I have food aversions and meat is something that I have trouble eating. I do try to eat other foods that are high in iron. Life gets so complicated at times, doesn't it. Good luck. Irish

[Deb 27]

Thank you for the response Irish    I will certainly ask my doctor how much is enough but not too much! Don't want to get toxic.

[Liz D.]

Deb27,

My ferritin and iron levels were very low last year and I was miserable.  The doctor wanted me to try to get it by eating iron rich foods.  I tried eating tons of spinach, liver etc. but it just didn't bring it up.

In March of this year, the hematologist put me on iron supplements before they tried iron infusions.  Fortunately, it worked and I'm feeling much better.  They had me take the generic CVS 65 mg iron supplement.  I was on it for 5 months and now my blood work is normal.

Doctors have had me stop the supplements now and we'll see if I start dropping again.  There is no bleeding anywhere but I have this drop in ferritin and iron every couple of years.  I think it must be an autoimmune thing.

Normally, iron supplements make my liver enzymes go way up, but the CVS generic brand didn't.  Thank goodness.  When I'm low, I'm extremely fatigued and start losing hair like yourself.  I get terrible restless leg syndrome and can't sleep.  One of my worst symptoms is craving and chewing ice.  To the point of insanity!

Since August, all these symptoms have disappeared because of my ferritin levels coming up.  I'm so relieved.  I hope you can get some help and relief.

Liz D.

[irish]

Liz, Glad to hear you mention the "pica" or craving for ice that accompanies anemia. When  was at my worst I was chew up 10 ice cube trays a day. I would put the ice in a glass and add the Pepsi and let it melt down a little. The very best ice chewing there is to my notion.

My hemoglobin comes up and the ice craving starts to go away. The anemia gets worse and I am hounding ice from refrig and getting extra glasses of ice with my pop. Strange occurrence. Hard on the teeth but yummy. Irish

[Carolina]

My ferritin levels were very low and I had anemia.

Fortunately I could take the OTC iron supplements, and my ferritin levels increased.

Unfortunately the levels went down again as soon as I stopped taking the supplement.

I now take Iron supplementation morning and night, and my ferritin levels stay perfect.

It is important to work with medical professionals and to have your levels checked regularly.

My diet is and has always been perfect in terms of iron content.  My body cannot store enough Iron, apparently, or get enough from my diet, so I will always need supplementation, which I've had for the past 10 years.

Regards,  Elaine

[jazzlover]

Don't forget the importance of eating red meat at least once a week.

[Deb 27]

Thanks jazz, I do eat red meat at least once a week now.