Question 1

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 2

i started my iron pills today. i took it with orange juice. is that okay? can i still drink my coffee with iron pills? do i need to wait a couple of hours? what are the side effects to taking prescription iron pills. my ferritin is at a 2?

Accepted Answer

: Taking iron pills with orange juice is recommended to increase absorption.   The most important factor in success from taking iron is to take the iron pills as directed.  Constipation is a frequent side effect, so the dose may need to be adjusted if you are constipated

Question 3

i have had low ferritin levels for 2 years now and i've been taking an iron supplement regularly for a year along side high iron diet and still anemic?

Accepted Answer

Iron deficient: Sometimes, even though eating a high iron diet, the absorption is decreased. Diet= rich in iron- red meat, beans, milk and green leafy veg.
You can try taking ferrous fumarate (Ferrette's on amazon) 325 mg po q day to help with the iron absorption. Retake the serum iron/ferritin in 3-4 months of trial.

Question 4

29 weeks pregnant. ferritin level is 6.8, hb 12.5. on iron supplement but bp staying low. especially drops when laying down to 88/44. my head spins and i feel weak when i am laying down on my side. so i stay sitting up to feel a bit better.

Accepted Answer

Anemia : It's best you see your doctor. When laying on your right side you could be restricting blood return to the heart by compressing on a large vein (vena cava). Anemia with iron deficiency can be treated with iron supplements, Low normal blood pressure is normal in pregnancy, that lower number of the blood pressure (44) is too low.

Question 5

ferritin level 301, platelets 74, vit d 13 ng/ml   hemoglobin is 14.2 good.  b12 is bit on the low side at 354 but ok. gastric bypass in 2003. lupus?

Accepted Answer

Why do you ask?: With a serum ferritin twice the upper limit of most reference ranges for a young woman, you have hemochromatosis / iron overload until proved otherwise. If it's getting advanced, this could explain your thrombocytopenia, though lupus is also in the "diff". You may have both ;/or something else. Your platelets should perhaps be checked for surface antibodies as part of a full workup.

Question 6

3 yrs since laporoscopic total hyster (endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, heavy bleeding, anemia, very low ferritin levels).  been having a lot of pain over the last month or 2 & pressure in the right side of my groin & ovary area that radiates into my

Accepted Answer

Need exam: Pain in the right groin and right lower quadrant that has just stated 3 years after a hysterectomy is unlikely to be related to the surgery. If an ovary was left behind, that could be a problem if there was residual endometriosis or if you have an ovarian cyst. This could also be musculoskeletal. You need an exam an a fuller history to know for sure. See your PCP or GYN. Hope you feel better fast

Question 7

is a ferritin level of 14 low ?

Accepted Answer

Yes that is: A low level.  Generally a low ferritin is due to poor iron stores, and the most likely cause is blood loss -- usually chronic in nature.

Question 8

iga ttg positive low level of ferritin?

Accepted Answer

Gluten sensitivity: Typical findings for gluten intolerance with reduced iron absorption and thus the low ferritin. Need to avoid gluten and take some iron supplement (or even shots)

Question 9

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 10

if low ferritin corrected does this increase b12 level?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: These are two different substrates required for blood production. You can have a deficiency of one without the other being abnormal. Occasionally under certain circumstances both can be abnormal and require replacement. It is best to have your primary care assess, then if this is not sufficient, see an Hematologist.

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Doctor answers about:

Side effects of low ferritin levels

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:

I started my iron pills today. i took it with orange juice. is that okay? can i still drink my coffee with iron pills? do i need to wait a couple of hours? what are the side effects to taking prescription iron pills. my ferritin is at a 2?

A member asked:

I have had low ferritin levels for 2 years now and i've been taking an iron supplement regularly for a year along side high iron diet and still anemic?

A member asked:

29 weeks pregnant. ferritin level is 6.8, hb 12.5. on iron supplement but bp staying low. especially drops when laying down to 88/44. my head spins and i feel weak when i am laying down on my side. so i stay sitting up to feel a bit better.

A member asked:

Ferritin level 301, platelets 74, vit d 13 ng/ml hemoglobin is 14.2 good. b12 is bit on the low side at 354 but ok. gastric bypass in 2003. lupus?

A member asked:

3 yrs since laporoscopic total hyster (endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, heavy bleeding, anemia, very low ferritin levels). been having a lot of pain over the last month or 2 & pressure in the right side of my groin & ovary area that radiates into my

A member asked:

Is a ferritin level of 14 low ?

A member asked:

Iga ttg positive low level of ferritin?

A member asked:

Can ferritin be normal while iron levels may be low?

A member asked:

If low ferritin corrected does this increase b12 level?

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