Question 1

what would be a reason for low ferritin but normal hemoglobin?

Accepted Answer

: It would be important for your doctor to look at the actual numbers of your iron studies and your complete blood count. If your ferritin level, this is the carrier molecule for iron in your body, is low the hemoglobin level is actually normal then at the present time,your body has enough iron to maintain a normal red blood cell count and hemoglobin level. A look at the entire profile would clarify

Question 2

i have a low ferritin and normal hemoglobin. also i have gastritis and can't take iron. how can i raise ferritin level?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous iron: Iron can be administered intravenously and sufficient amount can be given in one sitting to correct any iron deficiency. You would need to consult your doctor for the need and advisability of this treatment.

Question 3

normal hemoglobin, lower than normal mch and mchc). serum ferritin in low normal range(40). what could it mean?

Accepted Answer

Stop worrying: You may have a very mild thalassemia variant. Reference ranges are set so that a few percent of healthy folks fall outside on either end. Ask your physician whether you have "thal minor" -- simply so that you'll know in case you are thinking of marrying someone else with it.

Question 4

my ferritin is 5, hemoglobin is in the normal/low range, and my periods are stopping. how is that possible? shouldn't they be heavy?

Accepted Answer

What are you asking?: Low serum ferritin usually indicates low total body iron, from heavy periods, from stomach cancer, from colon cancer, from a stomach ulcer, from hookworm, from ill-advised vegetarianism, or something else. You need to be under the care of a competent physician who's a good communicator. I'm glad you asked and this is a chance to explore -- answers in medicine are seldom so straightforward.

Question 5

perimenopause a little over a year ago hemoglobin was low iron was low and ferritin well now in menopause hemoglobin normal iron normal ferritin is still a little low which increases first iron & hemoglobin ir ferritin?

Accepted Answer

: You have a typical iron profile from perimenopause to menopause. Ferritin is considered an iron storage so when you lose a lot of iron through period, the Hb and iron are low but ferritin could still be normal. But when you no longer lose blood, Hb and iron will improve but the storage, ferritin, will be on the low side but I guess it's in the low normal, well above 15. Ferritin has a big range.

Question 6

can ferritin level be low when/if hemoglobin and hematocrit are normal(low end of normal range)?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Ferritin is the iron storage protein: excess iron in the body is carried by this protein and is used by red blood cells as needed.

Question 7

my iron is low. hemoglobin low side of normal,ferritin 7, saturation 9%. dr suggested iron ivs. is this safe? risks side effects and chances of thwm.

Accepted Answer

It's your call: I think they're safe enough, the chances of serious harm from them is low, and you'll feel better faster. Some folks do get sickish during the infusion. I do trust that a cause for your iron deficiency has been sought adequately -- I've seen colon cancer missed in a woman in her 20's with fatal results. If you're deficient due to monthy loss, talk about supplements; if from reflux, Rx'ing this.

Question 8

why my reticulocyte is high, ferritin is high and low in haptoglobin?
but this situation has been carry on since 3 years ago.
my hemoglobin level is normal.

Accepted Answer

Need more info: What you described suggests a compensated hemolytic process in which your red cells have a shortened life span. It is not feasible to provide a meaningful opinion without additional history, physical examination and may be some tests. It would be prudent to see your doctor. 
Wish you good health!

Question 9

what causes hemoglobin and hematocrit to be low but mcv levels, iron, and ferritin levels are normal. been having this problem for 8mths no blood in stool. guaiac test was normal. bowel changes mostly soft stool w/ mucus. could this be colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

: Chronic normochromic, normocytic anemia with normal iron parameters,normal Vit B12 levels and normal serum electrophoresis to rule out multiple myeloma can be caused by chronic inflammation. If you or your physician are still concerned, consult a hematologist for evaluation and advice.

Question 10

hemoglobin 13.4, ferritin 10, iron saturation 9.0, iron 40, mch 24.8, mchc 31.4, rdwcv 17.4. how can hemoglobin be normal, and other levels so low?

Accepted Answer

It's early: Iron levels drop long before hemoglobin does. I'm glad you're interested in your health. Try to find out where you're losing iron (ulcer? stomach cancer? hookworm? colon cancer? 100s of other possibilities) or whether perhaps your diet is insufficient or you donate a lot of blood. Stay on top of this. Best wishes.

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Doctor answers about:

Low ferritin normal hemoglobin

A member asked:

What would be a reason for low ferritin but normal hemoglobin?

A member asked:

I have a low ferritin and normal hemoglobin. also i have gastritis and can't take iron. how can i raise ferritin level?

A member asked:

Normal hemoglobin, lower than normal mch and mchc). serum ferritin in low normal range(40). what could it mean?

A member asked:

My ferritin is 5, hemoglobin is in the normal/low range, and my periods are stopping. how is that possible? shouldn't they be heavy?

A member asked:

Perimenopause a little over a year ago hemoglobin was low iron was low and ferritin well now in menopause hemoglobin normal iron normal ferritin is still a little low which increases first iron & hemoglobin ir ferritin?

A member asked:

Can ferritin level be low when/if hemoglobin and hematocrit are normal(low end of normal range)?

A member asked:

My iron is low. hemoglobin low side of normal,ferritin 7, saturation 9%. dr suggested iron ivs. is this safe? risks side effects and chances of thwm.

A member asked:

Why my reticulocyte is high, ferritin is high and low in haptoglobin? but this situation has been carry on since 3 years ago. my hemoglobin level is normal.

A member asked:

What causes hemoglobin and hematocrit to be low but mcv levels, iron, and ferritin levels are normal. been having this problem for 8mths no blood in stool. guaiac test was normal. bowel changes mostly soft stool w/ mucus. could this be colon cancer?

A member asked:

Hemoglobin 13.4, ferritin 10, iron saturation 9.0, iron 40, mch 24.8, mchc 31.4, rdwcv 17.4. how can hemoglobin be normal, and other levels so low?

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