Aa
thanks to you for your help.i am very concern because 4 month ago my ferritin was 9.it is 6 now.i am scared because i am getting b-12 injection via IM 2 ml once a month.my doctor prescribed me folic acid 1mg 1 tab daily too.the last one i really did not put too much attention but yesterday i began to take it.i now i have no problem with my intrinsic factor nor bleeding hemoglobine and iron level within range ..nor gerd i am going to check liver function,IBS and polyp ..........................................................
IS IT NOT THE SAME THE B-12 BLOOD TEST THAT THE ONE WHICH MEASURE IRON LEVEL?
IS IT NOT THE SAME THE B-12 BLOOD TEST THAT THE ONE WHICH MEASURE IRON LEVEL?
If you find you are unable to take the supplements that are prescribed from doctors for low ferritin levels, there is one I found that isn't terribly expensive at the supplement store that helped me when mine was severely deficient. I should have it checked again, now that this thread reminded me. Anyway, follow the advice about testing and finding the source of the low iron, then if you have trouble with the prescription iron supplements, you can try this one that I found that I found to be a real life saver, literally. No matter how I took the prescription iron supplements (there are two kinds), as in taking with food, I couldn't take the prescription iron supplements. I would just get sick and not be able to keep them down. They obviously won't do me any good that way.
The one I found is made by a company called Solaray. It is chelated, and it is gentle enough that I can even take it on an empty stomach. The one I take is 50 mg. They do have a lower dosage one, but if you're low, you will probably want this one.
At one time my own levels were so low they scared ALL of my conventional doctors, including the nephrologist I had temporarily. During this time I was instructed to take 100 mg by the doctors until it came up to an acceptable level. Don't do this yourself without instructions. I was told to do so on a short term basis. It would not be good to do this without proper supervision and multiple blood tests to monitor the iron levels. It can be hard on the heart to take this much on a regular basis. I only did it because my doctors wanted me to take that much to get me to a safe level.
All I'm saying is that this form of iron is an option and it will work to raise iron up if it's a matter of needing to supplement your iron for the deficiency after the causes have been rooted out. You will obviously need some form of iron you can tolerate. My conventional doctor was very happy that I found my way to the chelated iron supplement, because I had been iron deficient for years without any way to raise it. Definitely not good to have it low long term as has already been mentioned. This is a wonderful option if you find you can't tolerate the prescription iron supplements that conventional doctors often use for their patients. Just be sure to discuss it with your doctor if you find you need to take this gentler iron supplement. They may tell you the same thing my doctors told me--to take the amount they suggest on a short term basis while monitoring you the whole time you're taking the prescribed amount. I'm glad I read this post, because the doctor mentioned several possible causes in my own case.
I hope this suggestion is helpful to you. I was so unable to use the iron supplements the doctor tried to prescribe in the past that I just wanted to offer a solution to supplementing the iron that finally worked for me. Maybe someone else with similar issues will find this suggestion helpful.
Smaries: Thank you for the information about B-12. I didn't know there was a connection to iron deficiency. It's on my radar screen now, so I'll know what to ask about if my own own iron deficiency becomes more serious than it has been.
The one I found is made by a company called Solaray. It is chelated, and it is gentle enough that I can even take it on an empty stomach. The one I take is 50 mg. They do have a lower dosage one, but if you're low, you will probably want this one.
At one time my own levels were so low they scared ALL of my conventional doctors, including the nephrologist I had temporarily. During this time I was instructed to take 100 mg by the doctors until it came up to an acceptable level. Don't do this yourself without instructions. I was told to do so on a short term basis. It would not be good to do this without proper supervision and multiple blood tests to monitor the iron levels. It can be hard on the heart to take this much on a regular basis. I only did it because my doctors wanted me to take that much to get me to a safe level.
All I'm saying is that this form of iron is an option and it will work to raise iron up if it's a matter of needing to supplement your iron for the deficiency after the causes have been rooted out. You will obviously need some form of iron you can tolerate. My conventional doctor was very happy that I found my way to the chelated iron supplement, because I had been iron deficient for years without any way to raise it. Definitely not good to have it low long term as has already been mentioned. This is a wonderful option if you find you can't tolerate the prescription iron supplements that conventional doctors often use for their patients. Just be sure to discuss it with your doctor if you find you need to take this gentler iron supplement. They may tell you the same thing my doctors told me--to take the amount they suggest on a short term basis while monitoring you the whole time you're taking the prescribed amount. I'm glad I read this post, because the doctor mentioned several possible causes in my own case.
I hope this suggestion is helpful to you. I was so unable to use the iron supplements the doctor tried to prescribe in the past that I just wanted to offer a solution to supplementing the iron that finally worked for me. Maybe someone else with similar issues will find this suggestion helpful.
Smaries: Thank you for the information about B-12. I didn't know there was a connection to iron deficiency. It's on my radar screen now, so I'll know what to ask about if my own own iron deficiency becomes more serious than it has been.
I too had low ferritin levels. After a prolonged period I found out I had pernicious anemia. It is easily treated (with monthly B-12 injections) but fatal if ignored. They did not expect me to have pa because it is usually an elderly person dilema, but I was young when I was diagnosed. Ask your doctor to check your B-12 levels, since it is not a regular part of a normal blood check. Good luck!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Your iron level dropping is definitely a cause of concern! There are a few things which come to my mind. May be there is a bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract, either due to esophageal varices, polyps, gastric bypass site, hemorrhoids or an ulcer. Low iron could be due to poor intake, loss from body as happens in acidity and GERD, rectal polyps etc, due to improper absorption as in IBS or due to storage disorders. Also you need to get a pheripheral blood smear done to know the RBC count, structure and whether there is cytopenia (general decrease in cell count). The renal function and liver function needs to be checked as also electrophoresis of hemoglobin to know whether there is thalasemia trait or sickle cell anemia. Once the cause is found and corrected, then the lost iron is replaced by iron therapy, either in form of pills, capsules or syrups, or as injectable preparations. Consult your PCP regarding this. Take care!
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Your iron level dropping is definitely a cause of concern! There are a few things which come to my mind. May be there is a bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract, either due to esophageal varices, polyps, gastric bypass site, hemorrhoids or an ulcer. Low iron could be due to poor intake, loss from body as happens in acidity and GERD, rectal polyps etc, due to improper absorption as in IBS or due to storage disorders. Also you need to get a pheripheral blood smear done to know the RBC count, structure and whether there is cytopenia (general decrease in cell count). The renal function and liver function needs to be checked as also electrophoresis of hemoglobin to know whether there is thalasemia trait or sickle cell anemia. Once the cause is found and corrected, then the lost iron is replaced by iron therapy, either in form of pills, capsules or syrups, or as injectable preparations. Consult your PCP regarding this. Take care!
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