Question 1

what is cause of low ferritin level of 12 and wbc low end of range 4.5,, wbc always on low end? all other blood work was normal ranges.

Accepted Answer

See below: 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, low ferritin indicates deficiency of iron. If the patient has started menstruating, that may be the cause. She should take oral iron supplement and multivitamin. WBC count of 4.5 is in normal range.

Question 2

i have off the chart high levels of both b12 and folate, with low ferritin. in a blood test. i was told long ago i cannot process folic acid well. now i take it with methotrexate. could this folic be the cause of these results?

Accepted Answer

: I don't know what you mean by "off the chart high levels" - actual numbers would be more helpful. High blood levels of folate are not a concern for most healthy adults. Still, consuming excessive amounts of folic acid from supplements can be harmful. High intakes of folic acid may mask a B12 deficiency, but I don't know of any way that taking folate would increase B12 levels. Ask your doctor.

Question 3

can low ferritin cause anxiety symptoms? my blood test indicated that my ferritin level is a 4. i have been suffering from anxiety symptoms (lightheaded, short of breath, fast heart rate, etc). my thyroid, heart, and blood pressure are all normal.

Accepted Answer

Not commonly: fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headaches, ringing in your ears, irritability, leg pains and shortness of breath are common, though these sx may cause anxiety.  Definitely see you PCP to supplement your iron

Question 4

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 5

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 6

why is my blood test level of ferritin 375.9? what causes that?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation: Inflammation of any kind and liver injury can result in elevated ferritin levels. See this site for more information.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003490.htm

Question 7

what can cause a blood test to show high levels of ferritin, aside from hemochromatosis?

Accepted Answer

Liver and more: Liver disease, due to alcohol, viral hepatitis; chronic infections, hemolytic anemia, anorexia nervosa, and some drugs can cause elevated serum ferritin.

Question 8

low ferritin levels with colitis. colitis is fine at the moment and no blood but i can't seem to increase my ferritin. this is level 9. taking galfer 10ml a day. i eat good veg and fruit. what else can i do to help increase my levels?

Accepted Answer

: Iron is sometimes difficult to absorb, especially when there is inflammation present. To help the iron get absorbed, take it with 500mg of Vitamin C-this creates the acidic environment needed for iron absorption. If your iron studies remain low after trying the Vitamin C, you may need to get a dose of IV iron-your doctor can arrange that if it proves necessary. Best of luck to you!

Question 9

at my dr appointment i had low ferritin but all other blood counts were normal, dr suggested an iron supplement. when should i have levels retested?

Accepted Answer

About six months: You may get ferritin level done again after completing iron replacement treatment.

Question 10

blood tests showed my ferritin is very low, but iron levels are normal. should i still take iron supplements?

Accepted Answer

: This suggests an early stage of iron deficiency, most likely from monthly blood loss during menses. A high total iron binding capacity would document that you do have early stage iron deficiency.   I recommend taking an iron supplement daily.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

What causes low ferritin levels in blood

A member asked:

What is cause of low ferritin level of 12 and wbc low end of range 4.5,, wbc always on low end? all other blood work was normal ranges.

A member asked:

I have off the chart high levels of both b12 and folate, with low ferritin. in a blood test. i was told long ago i cannot process folic acid well. now i take it with methotrexate. could this folic be the cause of these results?

A member asked:

Can low ferritin cause anxiety symptoms? my blood test indicated that my ferritin level is a 4. i have been suffering from anxiety symptoms (lightheaded, short of breath, fast heart rate, etc). my thyroid, heart, and blood pressure are all 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:

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

A member asked:

Why is my blood test level of ferritin 375.9? what causes that?

A member asked:

What can cause a blood test to show high levels of ferritin, aside from hemochromatosis?

A member asked:

Low ferritin levels with colitis. colitis is fine at the moment and no blood but i can't seem to increase my ferritin. this is level 9. taking galfer 10ml a day. i eat good veg and fruit. what else can i do to help increase my levels?

A member asked:

At my dr appointment i had low ferritin but all other blood counts were normal, dr suggested an iron supplement. when should i have levels retested?

A member asked:

Blood tests showed my ferritin is very low, but iron levels are normal. should i still take iron supplements?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?