about this thread.

Ferritin levels are your "bank" for the future. If you were to have surgery or a trauma, that low level would be a consideration. It is sort of a near empty on your gas gauge in your car.

For females, low ferritin may reflect heavy periods.

For males -- and I see this more often now than ever, it is an absorption issue.

People who take acid blocking drugs every day, for long periods of time cannot absorb iron.
People with hidden bleeds, also have a problem.
Women with very heavy periods which precede menopause-- called estrogen dominance--- also have problems.

People with malabsorption issues like gluten intolerance.. may also have low ferritin levels.

So while it is a concern, it is not an emergency. But if you have a medical trauma...it can be important.

And I agree with Shelley... your B12 is going DOWN.... and for an MSer...this is a serious thing.
Low B12 levels give the same symptoms as MS.

There is no risk to taking an oral B12 1mg a day --this is about 10% absorbed and will bypass
any errors in intrinsic factor or other autoimmune issues. Take on an empty stomach, and it will only cost you 9 cents a day, with no side effects. In Japan, this would NOT be tolerated, and eventually the US will catch up-- some doctors know this and some don't.
Many of us here use iherb.com to buy our methylcobalamin. The cyano is an artificial version and
not well converted by all people. The methyl form is what our bodies use.

In my opinion, ALL MSers should be using B12.