Anyone deal with low ferritin before?

[initialize]

I just got back a couple reports of my ferritin about 4 weeks apart -- first one was 13 ng/mL and second was 10. I don't think I ordered ferritin before so I'm not sure what my baseline is.

I donated blood a few months ago because my hct was in the low 50s, but I'm guessing that shouldn't have caused such a drastic drop.

I don't have any GI issues other than hemorrhoids, but they don't really bleed. Hopefully I don't have sort of internal bleeding issue I'm unaware of lol

I have an appointment with my PCP next week so I'll see what she recommends of course, but is it too premature to start supplementing with iron?

I take 200mg of test C weekly

 

[sionnach]

Low ferritin

donated

Every time.

 

[initialize]

B

Every time.

But that low, even if it was 3 months ago?

 

[initialize]

Just ChatGPTd it. Looks like you're right lol

 

[sionnach]

Donation is overused and shouldn't be the go-to recommendation IMO. Doctors (especially american ones) work people into hysterics over perfectly fine HCT numbers.

 

[Kylesmith1985]

I crashed my ferritin severely with blood donations. Its a bitch and takes a long time to get back up even with iron infusions and supplementation.

Its also a cat and mouse type situation as what raises ferritin also raises red blood cells.

Time and sufficient iron is likely your best bed. Id be cautious on supplementing aggressively as that will raise your RBC/HCT.

 

[nullandvoid]

Take care to avoid coffee around taking iron if you supplement. I have struggled with this issue for years, finding that balance where I can keep HCT lower than 58 (when I start having symptoms) while keeping blood chemistry in range. Ever since tweaking how I take iron, my iron and ferritin have slowly normalized in spite of having to do double red's every three months or so. Took heme iron (Proferrin ES) for years, which barely kept me treading water. Expensive. I can now get away with simple Ferrex-150. Add Vitamin C to boost absorption.