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Low Ferritin
by PENNYinCA, Oct 27, 2009 07:58PM
I am looking for other people who have been diagnosed with chronic low ferritin (right now it is 8), but only occassional iron deficiency anemia.
I have been getting iron infusions (ferlecet) every 2 - 4 months for the past two years, without long term improvement. I am dizzy, fatigued, foggy headed, and have stiff and painful joints. The newest symptoms include easy bruising (platelets are fine) and allergic reactions (needed a steroid shot this week for itching, hives, and wheezing).
We have ruled out GI bleeding (had several colonoscopies and endoscopies), celiac (had three tests, including biopsies) and menstreul bleeding (had an endometrial ablation). I have been tested for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, but nothing is conclusive (tests are inconsistent). I have had one bone marrow biopsy (just showed iron deficiency).
I went to Mayo Clinic for two weeks last year with no definitive results - other than they said that even if my ferritin is low, and my hemoglobin is normal (usually between 11-12), it shouldn't be causing any of these symptoms.
I am confused where my iron (ferritin) is going. If iron should last 120 days, why is the ferritin gone in about 60 days?
I have been getting iron infusions (ferlecet) every 2 - 4 months for the past two years, without long term improvement. I am dizzy, fatigued, foggy headed, and have stiff and painful joints. The newest symptoms include easy bruising (platelets are fine) and allergic reactions (needed a steroid shot this week for itching, hives, and wheezing).
We have ruled out GI bleeding (had several colonoscopies and endoscopies), celiac (had three tests, including biopsies) and menstreul bleeding (had an endometrial ablation). I have been tested for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, but nothing is conclusive (tests are inconsistent). I have had one bone marrow biopsy (just showed iron deficiency).
I went to Mayo Clinic for two weeks last year with no definitive results - other than they said that even if my ferritin is low, and my hemoglobin is normal (usually between 11-12), it shouldn't be causing any of these symptoms.
I am confused where my iron (ferritin) is going. If iron should last 120 days, why is the ferritin gone in about 60 days?
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You can have symptoms from low iron and ferritin with a CBC being normal- I did. I was more tired, my tachycardia with my postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome was even worse, and I think my light headedness was worse as well. The ferritin is the iron stores, the last thing to go up when you take iron, I believe. If you are a menstruating female, ask the doctor if it would not hurt to regularly be taking iron tablets, along with at least 250 mg of vitamin C for best absorption. I had a doctor that felt it would not hurt, as long as I was having menstruation, where you lose blood.