Comments on: Ferritin Test, Normal & Low Levels + How to Increase Them

By: porumbescu@yahoo.com porumbescu@yahoo.com

porumbescu@yahoo.com porumbescu@yahoo.com — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 16:16:20 +0000

Thank you for this thorough discussion about ferritin.

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 06:40:27 +0000

Have you checked out Blood Vitality? It uses a Hydrolyzed whole rice protein to deliver the elemental iron. No GI side effects and increase ferritin within a couple weeks.

By: Richard Lillard

Richard Lillard — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 19:06:12 +0000

I had triple bypass surgery almost 3 years ago. I had iron deficiency anemia. I received two iron infusions approximately six months after surgery. That dramatically solved my chronic fatigue problems. After about a year and a half after the Iron infusions I began to become fatigued approximately 3 to 4 afternoons a week. I am no longer anemic and my serotonin levels are within normal range. My question is it possible to have normal serotonin levels and hemoglobin numbers well in a normal range and still have iron deficiency. I feel exactly like I did before the iron infusions. Thank you I would appreciate your comment.

By: Scott B

Scott B — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 19:45:27 +0000

I was a ‘chronic’ blood donor – giving 4-5 times every year since I was 18 (now 50). Over the last few years, I began failing the iron level at the donation center but could get back up within a week with occasional iron supplements and more red meat and raisin bran. But when I got my full workup last year for my physical, they measured my ferritin at 12! And my hemoglobin was similarly low. I was severely anemic and further testing showed I was also leaking blood into my stool. Further testing showed I was in full-blown Celiac (four of six indicators way above normal). I changed my diet to eliminate (almost) all gluten and began taking ferrous gluconate (almost) daily. 6 months later and my ferritin was tested at 70 but iron only up to 36% so I still have some work to do. No more blood donations for me for another 6 months.

By: Will

Will — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 00:23:42 +0000

In reply to Tom.

Hi Tom,

I was diagnosed around 6 years ago with HH. Went through many phlebotomy’s and staying fairly normal (around 35). That was until my last checkup 10/22/18. My ferritin count was at 12 from 6 months ago. Only one phlebotomy since the last checkup. My diet isn’t really controlled so I wouldn’t even expect it to be that low. That being said, I also notice my blood pressure seems lower. I usually take 3 different BP meds and with my GP’s advice dropped to 2.

Is it possible I have internal bleeding? Which I have mentioned to my specialist and GP. I see know visible signs, but that ferritin count is REALLY low for me. Initial diagnose was over 1000.

I certainly interested in any thing you can share and if you prefer my personal email I can share that with you.

Thanks and Regards,
Will

By: Les Lavy

Les Lavy — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 08:47:05 +0000

I just got blood work done for the first time in 4 years. (I know. Bad me) My ferritin levels were high at 321. Two months ago, my acohol consumption was high for the most part. The past 2 months its been once or twice a week. Just trying to figure out if the increase is due to that or would it have gone down by now if that was the reason. trying to isolate the reason why its high. Thanks!

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 08:26:41 +0000

Daniel your assertion of ferritin over 50ng is wrong is challenged by Joe who cites 90. I thought 50ng and I have hemochromatosis, which I control and will be publishing a paper after 15 years of research and testing on myself.

Testosterone is a hepcidin antagonist. Hepcidin is the master control hormone of iron produced in the liver.

There is no way to give a pat answer. iron and iron management is a very personal issue that takes into consideration too many variables for a one size fits all. I am close to mastering hemochromatosis, after a decade and a half. Once I develop a solution that produces more ferritin I can publish my paper.

I noticed in this blog Joe cites L-alanine to produce more ferritin. Has anyone had sucsess with using L-alanine to increase ferritin?

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 18:18:29 +0000

I have recently discovered my low ferritin level came about due to supplementing with a high dose of curcumin for some time. Thought I would share since others may be struggling to get their numbers up while supplementing with curcumin or turmeric. It may not be the cause of lower ferritin, but it could be a factor.

By: Carl

Carl — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 16:38:34 +0000

Many food items being suggested as good providers of Iron, absorption, yet in the section that follows, those very same items are described as Iron absorption inhibitors. This one very conflicting article!

By: Zoya sharma

Zoya sharma — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 06:32:02 +0000

My ferritin has always been on the lower side so i take medicine for that. last year it was around 100 ng/ml and my hair was in good condition. Around 1 moth ago i again experienced hair fall and got my ferritin tested again .It came out to be 60ng/ml . So does that mean i need to maintain it near about 90-95?

By: Bruce Montgomery

Bruce Montgomery — Fri, 25 May 2018 20:49:19 +0000

I have a iron overload reading of ,580 the last 2 visits to the doctor l have a fatty liver and was but now have quit drinking alcohol ( white wine ) altogether all my other blood tests where good with my GGT being a little high of 80
The doctor has told me that it is the alcohol and to stop immediately so l am,l had another ultrasound today and.it is showing the same as a.year ago. My mom recently passed away and was drinking about 1.5 liters a day hopefully my numbers for iron overload come down when he tests me again in the next 6 months.

By: Darren Hartling

Darren Hartling — Mon, 21 May 2018 20:27:11 +0000

HI. My ferritin level is 6. should be ( 17-464 ). My Iron level is 5.7 ……( 8.8-32.4 )
I am very tired and short of breath all the time. but I still go lobster fishing every day. I haul 250 traps each day for 63 days straight. I still have to work and pay the bills but, it is (sealing) hard. please excuse the French.

By: Betsy

Betsy — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 05:13:27 +0000

My ferratin level is 600 but I’m very anemic. I won’t qualify for phlebotomy due to my anemia. I am so so tired, literally exhausted every day. I have no drive for anything. I’ve had endoscopy, colonoscopy and there seems to be no bleeding from inside. Any suggestions because I want my life back!!

By: Sharon Dowell

Sharon Dowell — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 00:11:31 +0000

This is the first time I have seen the ER doctor check my Ferrin and iron levels among other blood protein levels. My Ferrin was 19 and my iron was 65. I’m thinking this could explain why I am staying so tired and anxious. I too suffer from hair loss. The hospital doctors didn’t even mention these levels were on the low end if normal for the facility I was at. Nationally, I am well below normal levels. They did not seemed concerned. Should I be?
Thanks,
Sherrie

By: Kaitlin

Kaitlin — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 21:18:01 +0000

Hi Julie!

I’m in a similar position as you! I’m 34 years old and I have a lot of hair loss and my ferritin and other iron levels are very similar. I truly think my hair loss is from the low ferritin. Mine is 23. I don’t have any other health concerns. Have you found anything that has been helpful since last year?

Thank you!
Kaitlin

By: Kaitlin

Kaitlin — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 21:06:40 +0000

Hi Melissa,

Your post is very encouraging!
My hair is falling out, quickly, and my ferritin is 23 and I think that is the main cause. My iron is 183.
My ferritin is low enough for an iron infusion, but my iron is too high, so they wont let me have an iron infusion.
Did you have low ferritin and low iron in order to get approved for the iron drip or is the drip different than an infusion?

Thank you!
Kaitlin

By: Nikki

Nikki — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 02:56:19 +0000

You could have an auto immune deficiency but I’m not a Dr. I had to beg and beg my dr to check me for staph infection because I was not feeling good. It turned out no infection but I did have blood clots. So if your dr does not seem interested or want to pursue your symptoms then go to the ER or just be very insistent with your dr until you wear them down. That’s what I had to do. If you like coffee, drink more. It’s supposed to help lower ferritin. Avoid red meat. Basically be less healthy which is bad advice but maybe temporarily stop exercising for a few weeks. Again, bad advice but you sound desperate and I want to help.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 02:46:50 +0000

If your period continues that long (3 weeks) have your red blood cell counts checked. I went after 11 days of continual bleeding and my RBC was very low. Now I’m anemic and my ferritin is low. If your Dr is not listening go to the ER. That’s what I did.

By: Carolynn

Carolynn — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 10:21:40 +0000

My Ferritin was down to 14 at one point. I was exhausted and was having a tough time with working and being a Mom. I was able to get iron infusions and after my levels were in the 60s I was able to keep up with the demands of life. Getting iron infusions in the USA is impossible so I traveled to my husband’s country Switzerland. The Swiss believed my reports of exhaustion and helped me to refill my iron stores when even I was here essentially restoring the quality of life. It appears I have mysteriously stabilized during my recent check. I hope you find a solution to give your vitality back.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:57:28 +0000

If your ferritin is high, you have too much iron. Serum iron does not tell you how much iron you have stored in your body. Any ferritin level over 50 is too high. I would say the lower it is, the better, unless maybe it’s single digits.

By: Anne

Anne — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 03:54:12 +0000

Hemochromatosis. Iron overload disorder

By: lyuba

lyuba — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 23:57:07 +0000

Hi Bobby, you should really check for an inflammatory liver condition like hepatitis. I am not a doctor, but unless your actual iron (not ferritin) is high, then it sounds like an inflammatory conditio .

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 00:39:42 +0000

Hey Tyler, I’m no doctor but I’m an 18 year old guy and I’ve been dealing with low ferritin for a very long time I have heard from my natropath that you can get iron transfusions or maybe inhections from a medical doctor if iron supplements don’t work. I would highly recommend natropaths sir I hope you get better.

By: Tyler B

Tyler B — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 21:00:11 +0000

Hello
I am an extremely competitive and successful high school (16 years old) distance runner. This past September I was diagnosed with an iron deficiency in the middle of cross country season as after races I would be completely depleted not being able to walk on my own for 30 minutes to an hour, extreme stomach problems the following 6-7 hours after the race, uncontrolled breathing for 30 minutes to an hour, and decreasing overall performance (I went from a top 3 runner in the state to 5th on my team as time passed). When they concluded I had an iron deficiency with ferritin of 42 in mid September which is too low for an elite distance runners I was placed on medication to increase my ferittin (contained about 260 mg of ferritin and took 3 times per day). I continued running the rest of the season until after state in late October then took a 3 week break all while taking this iron supplement. After the three week (mid November) break I got my iron levels tested again and the ferritin was at 39. The doctors and my nutritionist presumed this was because my iron probably decreased so much during the season that my iron was actually now getting better it just is lower then than it was previously because of so much loss during the season. Then they told me I could start light running to start training for track while continuing to take my iron I had been taking. Over the next month with this light training I actually began to think i felt better and more energized than I was during the cross country season (probably because I was telling myself I should start feeling better). Although, in late December the doctors tested my iron and now my ferritin was even lower at 32. This they could not explain at all because they thought that I would start at least getting a little better, not significantly worse. After this they told me to completely stop running and for some reason to stop taking iron supplements which started on December 29th. Since then I have not been running at all. They have tested me for many things like celiac disease and all has came back negative. Also a symptom i notice you put on here that I have every day is headaches that never go away which started to occur as I got my iron defeciancy. If you have any ideas on what could help me improve my iron it would be greatly appreciated.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME :)