Fatigue and low Ferritin

[DeborahE]

I had a total thyroidectomy in 2004 and taking .15 Eltroxin with TSH stable at 1.8 for over three years now.  But I continued to feel totally exhausted!  

Last January I found a new doctor and had my Ferritin levels checked - came back at 18.  Since then I have been taking an iron supplement – Ferrous Gluconate – which I understand is a weak-er supplement but best tolerated – I take three a day.  Over the past 9 months my levels have creeped up to 33.  My doctor explained the reference ranges as - under 31 depleted – under 79 low – optimal over 80 to120 range.  Points to consider are that iron supplements cannot be taken within 1-4 hours of Thyroid medication or Calcium, should be taken on an empty stomach and combined with Vitamin C.  Also, Iron Overload can be deadly so it is critical to have Ferritin levels checked before taking iron supplements.

It takes a lon-ng time to replenish iron stores but I feel so much better – less exhausted, less dizzy, hardly any heart racing, less cold, less headaches, less dry mouth, better memory and attention span, no constipation, less joint pain, less nighttime leg cramps, no more crazy menstrual bleeding, less hair loss!, less bladder infections, no night sweats, less puffiness around my eyes.  I cannot express strongly enough that everyone have their Ferritin levels checked.

Best,

[Lori707]

I'm so confused and frustrated. I have read comments from people with low ferritin levels stating their complaints.  I feel horrible and my level is 13. But EVERY doctor tells me that level is fine and it shouldn't cause any ill effects. When I try to press them on it, they get upset. The docs say my other blood tests show no anemia. ????
What do I do?

[estrelinha]

"Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in them) is low"

"Causes

The causes of anemia are numerous, but most can be grouped within three major mechanisms that produce anemia:

Blood loss (excessive bleeding)
Inadequate production of red blood cells
Excessive destruction of red blood cells

Many nutrients are needed for red blood cell production. The most critical are iron, vitamin B12, and folate (folic acid), but the body also needs trace amounts of vitamin C, riboflavin, and copper, as well as a proper balance of hormones, especially erythropoietin" .
So, Anemia is when your have low levels of hemoglobin and a low hematocrit. Ferritin is your storage (a protein that stores iron). Sometimes you don't have anemia and your storage is low, that means your are in risk to be anemic very quick (comes the symptoms), low ferritin indicates iron deficiency, so it's safe for you to take it . Yes it's true some doctors don't check ferritin, and sometimes they give just iron supplements for 1 month (then you become anemic again), when your ferritin is low you need supplements for months. About Vit C, it is also important for absortion of organic plant iron (non Heme iron). Ferrous sulphate is an inorganic iron. Ferrous gluconate, ferrous fumerate, ferrous citrate, or ferrous peptonate are supplements with organic iron.
I have some problems with my low ferritin, and my hemoglobin is low, In April my ferritin was 9, then I've started with sulphate iron, couldn't tolerate it but my ferritin was 20 in just one and a half month (and no anemia) I've stopped , (had vomits...), ferritin went back to 15 in the next few months. Now I'm taking an organic iron (iron with polypeptides), and must take it for 6 months.Everybody with anemia should check ferritin, tranferrin, Vit B12, folic acid, Blood levels of iron, full blood count with hemoglobin, blood film and if the problem is blood loss should check % reticulocytes.
DeborahE, you had a very good idea to write about this, I've tried to complete the information. So many people aren't properly treated for anemia....many doctors don't check it properly.....

[estrelinha]

This subject was discussed in http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/543673 too...........