Question 1

is iron supplementation ever warranted if ferritin is somewhat low? 30 ng/ml(ref 6-137). no anemia, normal cbc. i know gp needs to guide meds, but curious if low ferritin can cause symptoms. can b12 injections for def. use up iron stores?

Accepted Answer

: If your Hemoglobin is normal(12-13 Gms. for females), there is no reason to test any further.
Your Ferritin is in the normal range, so you do not need iron supplements.

Question 2

my ferritin was a 2. im on my period and i bleed very heavily. my b12 was 219. i was told to take iron pills and get b12 injections weekly. also being tested for ms and other autoimmune disorders. does low ferritin and low b12 typically show in this?

Accepted Answer

: No, low ferritin and B12 are not common in those disorders. You have severe iron deficiency and mild B12 deficiency. At your age, the etiology of heavy menses needs to be defined for the appropriate therapy. Just iron and B12 replacement is not curative. Good luck.

Question 3

can ferritin be normal while iron levels may be low?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Ferritin can be falsely elevated in the face of low iron stores when there is also inflammation or infection. Ferritin is a slow phase reactant that increases in inflammation regardless of body iron stores.

Question 4

why would my ferritin be low 5.5 but my iron levels are normal?

Accepted Answer

Stores vs. current: Ferritin represents stores, serum iron reflects the short term status. An analogy - A propane tank will give a normal pressure reading when almost empty (serum iron) if you weigh the tank (Ferritin) you will know that it is almost empty.

Question 5

is  a ferritin reading of 284  very high for a 58 year old woman who used to have low iron levels?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is high: It is high as normal ferritin level in women is 12to150ng/ml.Discuss the result along with hemoglobin, and iron level etc with your doctor.

Question 6

what are symptoms of low ferritin? what tests should i have ran besides this to see if there is an iron issue?

Accepted Answer

More info needed: Ferritin is storage iron--as if you keep going to your pantry and taking things out, but you do not replace --you run low--and the pantry empties.  Serum iron and iron saturation on protein are other useful tests.  Anemia, fatigue are also seen with iron deficiency--may be associated with menstrual blood loss and insufficient iron replacement by diet or iron supplement.  Check with your doctor.

Question 7

my ferritin level is 5.5 starting range is 6.2-137.0 is this a considerably low level? my iron levels are within normal range.

Accepted Answer

Low iron stores: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Having said that, your ferritin levels suggest low body stores of iron. Iron deficiency is common in women due to menstrual blood loss. You may take oral iron supplement with multivitamins and consult your doctor at the next visit.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex.

Question 8

what is the difference between ferritin test and iron test? my iron test is normal but my ferritin result is very low. what should i take ?

Accepted Answer

Two labs: Serum ferritin is a fair estimate of storage iron. Serum iron itself fluctuates hourly if perhaps you take an iron pill and is less reflective of total body stores. If there is a question of iron deficiency, the key is to find the cause. It can be cancer, heavy periods, Ill-advised vegetarianism, stomach ulcer, hookworm. A scientific physician's work up is needed rather than a supplement.

Question 9

my blood ferritin (iron) level is 59 ug/l  is this low?

Accepted Answer

Normal: Your ferritin level is normal.  The normal range is 12-150 ng/ml.  (1 ng/ml = 1ug/l).

Question 10

does low ferritin level 10 and low iron levels cause thryoid problems?

Accepted Answer

No: But taking thyroid and iron together might decrease the absorption of the thyroid replacement.

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Doctor answers about:

Iron injections for low ferritin

A member asked:

Is iron supplementation ever warranted if ferritin is somewhat low? 30 ng/ml(ref 6-137). no anemia, normal cbc. i know gp needs to guide meds, but curious if low ferritin can cause symptoms. can b12 injections for def. use up iron stores?

A member asked:

My ferritin was a 2. im on my period and i bleed very heavily. my b12 was 219. i was told to take iron pills and get b12 injections weekly. also being tested for ms and other autoimmune disorders. does low ferritin and low b12 typically show in this?

A member asked:

Can ferritin be normal while iron levels may be low?

A member asked:

Why would my ferritin be low 5.5 but my iron levels are normal?

A member asked:

Is a ferritin reading of 284 very high for a 58 year old woman who used to have low iron levels?

A member asked:

What are symptoms of low ferritin? what tests should i have ran besides this to see if there is an iron issue?

A member asked:

My ferritin level is 5.5 starting range is 6.2-137.0 is this a considerably low level? my iron levels are within normal range.

A member asked:

What is the difference between ferritin test and iron test? my iron test is normal but my ferritin result is very low. what should i take ?

A member asked:

My blood ferritin (iron) level is 59 ug/l is this low?

A member asked:

Does low ferritin level 10 and low iron levels cause thryoid problems?

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