Low Ferritin

[shar361]

My ferritin has been low between 6-10 for a couple years. I am to the point where I am in bed all the time, brain fog, night sweats, etc etc. Can this be from low ferritin too long?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Yes, persistent low ferritin can result the symptoms you are facing. The cause for low ferritin will have to be found out. Low iron could be due to poor intake, loss from body as happens in acidity and GERD, rectal polyps etc, due to improper absorption or due to storage disorders.
You should get your stool examined for occult blood. Also you need to get a pheripheral blood smear done to know the RBC count, structure and whether there is cytopenia (general decrease in cell count). The renal function and liver function needs to be checked as also electrophoresis of hemoglobin to know whether there is thalasemia trait or sickle cell anemia. Please consult a hematologist ASAP.
Hope this helps. Do let me know if there is any thing else and keep me posted. Take care!

[shar361]

Thankyou so much, I do appreciate your help. Most doctors don't seem to concerned with a ferritin around or lower than 10?

since I have been suffering with this for so long and am mostly bed ridden from it, would having a transfusion of IV iron, help me to get my life back a little quicker than waiting for oral iron to kick in? I really need to get out of bed and get going with my life?

Thanks

Sharron

[LivingInHope]

That's what the GI doctor suggested to me if I wanted to jumpstart my iron level- a shot.  But from what I've heard, I don't really want one.  He suggested mine because I have problems with rectal bleeding and you know iron pills can really constipate you taking them three times a day.  But I decided to take them three times a day for two weeks and then maybe do the prenatal or multivitamin with iron as he suggested.  My ferritin was at 9 and my iron had dropped in about three months time from 93 to 45.  I'm still taking iron three times a day at the moment along with about 250 mg of ester c and apart from my separate calcium supplement for better absorption.  
About the night sweats- have you had any endocrine hormones checked?

[shar361]

Thankyou for your response. I had heard the IV therapy of iron was better than the injections as they injections turn your skin a different color. I just want what ever I do to work fast, i have been suffering and not even knowing why for too long now.
I had my hormone levels checked a few months ago to see if I was perimenopausal, and he said I was not. I am now going to see a natural path to have the saliva test done, (expensive) so my hormone levels will be checked again then. I do that on the 21st of this month, if I can afford to do it, its like 300.00 to do it. But I am desperate to find out whats wrong with me.
My symptoms are as follows, night sweats, brain fog, heavy eyes, tired, lethargic, in bed all the time, short of breath on exertion, bruise really easily, hurts all over to touch me, very shaki like an old lady, acne which I have never had before.

Thanks again

Sharron

[LivingInHope]

Consider Cushing's (see PM).