Low ferritin
 

I recently saw an endocrinologist for hair loss, fatigue, cold intolerance and brittle nails. I also have PN. She found my thyroid and hormone levels normal but ferritin was 16(normal range is 10-160). I questioned the nurse about this number. She said it's within the normal range. I had been researching low ferritin and found the level should be at least 70 to prevent and eventually regrow hair. She said it wouldn't hurt to take iron supplements. She wants me to then have my GP follow up and retest. My hemoglobin and hematocrit were within normal range. I'm 50 years old and still menstruate regularly.

I found ferrous Fumarate 325 mg that contains 106 mg elemental iron. Is there a better supplement that others have tried and is 1 pill per day enough to increase my ferritin levels?

Ferritin is a storage form of iron. If your other iron levels are good, then it is not critical to take a supplement.

Ferritin is comprised of a complex protein peptide that encircles the iron molecules. Some people have a defect in producing this peptide. Also, with heavy periods, may become low in ferritin over time. If you have this defect of non production of the protein part, taking extra iron won't fix that.

I've been working with low ferritin since my early 60's or earlier. I think when doctor started testing I came in at 20something. I was actively taking iron with Vit C, needed for absorption, and my ferritin started inching up to the 40's and in 2014 my ferritin was 87 on the 15-150 lab range. Most weeks I take 50mg Ideal iron (fumarate) three times a week with the Vit C for sure. It will be interesting if my doc checks ferritin on my upcoming labs. We women lose a lot of blood for decades and iron stores deplete. My other irons are always good, but the ferritin. I believe low ferritin causes more fatigue.

There are high iron foods but I don't concentrate on them too much now. I have in the past.

PS: Years ago when my daughter and I went to a hemotologist group, we both saw different doctors in the group. My daughter has been dealing anemia for a long time. WISH she concentrated on more iron rich foods. She's gotten transfusions. She was a pretty sick gal for a lot a years when she was married and having babies, still born, miscarriage...long other story.

Anyway, one doctor said low ferritin can cause more fatigue, the other doc said it does not. Two differing opinions in the same group of docs... That has stayed with me for years.

Thanks so much, Mrs.D and Caroline... That's sort of where I'm at with this. I'm hoping the iron supplements taken with vitamin C will bring my number up and bring my fatigue and hair loss down. Different doctors, different opinions. I will be monitored so I feel it's worth a try. I will update after I am retested in a few months.

You know, low zinc also impacts the hair. Also low vit A and low protein. Eating some egg yolks daily will supply sulfur the hair needs as well.

On the sulphur issue, I've been taking MSM powder for many years, for pain reduction, and it is sulphur based....my hair is steady, it's always been fine, but a lot of it.

My ferritin was 13 two years ago, and I was symptomatic. I had horribly strong heart palpitations that I'd never experienced before, and I had zero endurance. I remember going on hikes and feeling like I'd keel over. And going up hills, I'd be tingling all over. I just thought I was out of shape. I also was losing my hair without noticing it. My hairdresser noticed the regrowth months later and said I'd had a "major shed."

I think a double-red blood donation sent me into that state. It didn't help matters that I had also recently switched to Centrum Silver (with less iron than normal vitamins). Considering I was still menstruating, that was really stupid.

After tearing up my digestive tract with iron supplements, I started eating more iron-rich food and cooking in ironware. I've been at 18 for the past two years now. My PCP isn't concerned how low it is, but the gastroenterologist I just saw for something unrelated wasn't thrilled with it. With the PN to boot, he tested me for celiac disease...which was negative.

Interestingly, my serum iron spiked too high last year on my iron rich diet, but my ferritin was still just 18. I resumed donating blood, and my serum iron was normal this year while my ferritin was still 18. Maybe I have the defective peptide MrsD mentioned.

Update on ferritin level
 

I was retested in late November and my ferritin levels increased to 30 from 16 in early August.(10-160 normal range). Feeling less fatigue and cold intolerance. I also started taking nascent iodine drops and vitamin D3 10,000 IU. My vitamin D levels were low normal and my Dr. Wants to bring them up to at least 50. So overall feeling better.

It's important to take Vit C with iron supplement for best absorption. My ferritin was low for years and then I started with Ideal Iron 50mg tab and Vit C with it and my levels have come up. Some weeks I take 100mg of this Ideal Iron (Thompson) but don't take it every day. Some days I take 50mg with Vit C.