Anyone else suffer from low iron (ferritin)?

Just A Cat said:

Before you settle on an iron pill, talk it over with your doctor. A lot of doctors still recommend the older types of iron supplements, and those don't get absorbed very well.

Ferrochel is available without a prescription, but I'd still bring it up directly with your doctor — spell the name out if they don't recognize it right away — and ask them to look into it and follow up with you.

To be clear: I'm not selling anything and I don't profit from Ferrochel in any way. It's simply a far superior form of iron.
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When I brought up my problem with 3 different doctors, every one of them told me they were only familiar with plain ferrous sulfate — nothing else. The way they looked at me, you'd think I was from another planet for choosing a different option. A hematologist among them even insisted that no pills besides the 65 mg variety were on the market. They're also aware that I take a PPI, which, from what I understand, reduces how well ferrous sulfate gets absorbed!

After a year on ferrous sulfate left my ferritin lower than it was at the start, I went looking on my own and came across Ferrochel/ferrous bisglycinate.
 
Brad said:

Just A Cat said:

Before you settle on an iron pill, talk it over with your doctor. A lot of doctors still recommend the older types of iron supplements, and those don't get absorbed very well.

Ferrochel is available without a prescription, but I'd still bring it up directly with your doctor — spell the name out if they don't recognize it right away — and ask them to look into it and follow up with you.

To be clear: I'm not selling anything and I don't profit from Ferrochel in any way. It's simply a far superior form of iron.
Click to expand...
When I brought up my problem with 3 different doctors, every one of them told me they were only familiar with plain ferrous sulfate — nothing else. The way they looked at me, you'd think I was from another planet for choosing a different option. A hematologist among them even insisted that no pills besides the 65 mg variety were on the market. They're also aware that I take a PPI, which, from what I understand, reduces how well ferrous sulfate gets absorbed!

After a year on ferrous sulfate left my ferritin lower than it was at the start, I went looking on my own and came across Ferrochel/ferrous bisglycinate.
Click to expand...
That's the point where you research things yourself and bring what you find to them.

Sure, doctors have to complete continuing education CE, but there's no exam proving they actually absorbed any of it. They can shell out for a CE, doze off during the whole thing, and so long as the license renewal payment goes in, they're all set.

The American Society of Hematology (ASH): In their landmark updated ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Iron Deficiency, the organization explicitly references iron bisglycinate as a gentler oral alternative to standard ferrous sulfate for individuals highly prone to stomach sensitivity or compliance-limiting side effects. ASH also highlights that lower, more targeted doses of highly bioavailable iron are preferred to avoid triggering systemic hepcidin spikes, which paradoxically shut down iron absorption.

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Low ferritin was something I dealt with for the majority of my grown-up years. A few years back I made the call to go for an infusion, and an IUD was inserted during that same visit.

That took care of it! 🙌
 
WholesomeApril said:

Low ferritin was something I dealt with for the majority of my grown-up years. A few years back I made the call to go for an infusion, and an IUD was inserted during that same visit.

That took care of it! 🙌
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Glad you were able to get that sorted out in the end. 🎉

Whether the cause is poor absorption or ongoing loss isn't something you can just assume. Even a skilled doctor (and those aren't always easy to come by) may require some time to rule out every option.
 
DS36 said:

Wow! Your level was lower than mine. In January mine was around 14, and I've been taking pills (Blood Builder) ever since, and over those 10 months I've climbed up to the floor of 30.
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Back in May, my wife's level came back at 5. It hit her really hard. She's on 100mg iron pills now. Her numbers have gone up, but they're still below where they ought to be — she's doing better, though she still deals with tiredness.
 
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