Just got back from my first visit with hematologist. He said I have no iron in body at all.
My ferritin came back at 5. I am going to start Venofer next week, and quite frankly I am looking forward to it.
I am tired of being tired, and my hair is falling out like crazy.
I did forget to ask him one question which I am hoping someone on this board can answer.
Does low ferritin cause you to be cold all the time?
Hi - I just had my levels tested yesterday and my ferritin is 5 also. I do get cold easily, but have not experienced the hair loss. So, your iron level is 0? Mine is 49 which seems weird considering the ferritin is so low.
Do yo have any other symptoms?
Last edited by Stabevrian; 03-17-2010 at 12:05 PM.
My ferritin came back at 5. Yes, I am exhausted all the time, get confused easily, I have no concentration at all, and alot of pain in my legs and arms.
I questioned him about this, and he said it all relates to the low ferritin.
I never knew about ferritin before. I only found out when I went to my Dermatologist for loss of hair....she took the test and said it was the ferritin causing my hair loss.
Thank you, to tell you the truth I am looking forward to it. Dr. seems to think the only side affect might be a headache.
He also said it take about 1 mth to start feeling better.
My Daughter is 12 and has low ferritin 3.5, she is always cold!
Thanks for your post, I didn't realize her coldness was to do with low levels.
She also Craves non food items like, ice and cardboard, this is called 'pica' and also she has long lasting periods.
With Ferritin so low, you are probably are anemic which can cause you to be cold. Also if your thyroid is off this could effect you too. Hair grows best when ferritin levels are above 70. And yes, low ferritin can cause restless leg syndrome. Even when my ferritin is at a good level, I am always cold, but that is due to my hypothyroidism.
Just got done with my 5 infusions of venofer! Had no reaction at all.
My ferritin went from 5-152 in 5 weeks.
I started to get more ambition around the 3rd infusion, but I still get tired easily.
Hopefully now, my hair loss will lessen up.
For me this was the only route to go, as iron pills just constipate me, and over all make me feel lousy.
Marilyn
That's great you shot up to 152 so quickly. In November I also had a ferritin level of 5 and last month it was at a 40 (I've been taking prescription iron pills). I also found out about my ferritin level when I went to see my doctor about hair loss. It seemed to start out of nowhere. 5 months after iron pills and a ferritin of 40 I'm still shedding a lot of hair, but it's a lot less than what I was losing in the beginning. I'm also seeing A LOT of re-growth all over my head!
How much hair have you been losing? Has it slowed down at all? Did you doctor tell you how long it would take for the shedding to slow/stop?
Ferritin is an iron storage protein that the body synthesizes because free iron is actually toxic to our bodies. To prevent iron toxicity the body regulates the level of ferritin synthesis to accommodate different levels of iron. Ferritin is stored in the bone marrow and organs; like the liver and spleen. This is used by the body when your need for iron is increased to build the Hgb level to keep you from becoming anemic.
When your total body iron is high ferritin is usually high, when total iron body is low, ferritin tends to be low as well. ~Iron deficient people~ tend to have a ferritin less than 10-12 whatever the bottom of your range is. My Hematologist says under 10, there is no iron remaining.
Ferritin is also in stages, the end stage of ferritin is anemia and anemia is only a symptom not a disease in and of itself. So, you have to find out why, ask your doctor for further testing. There are many reasons for a low ferritin. The most common cause is blood loss. A person can have low iron levels for these reasons:
Blood loss, either from disease or injury
Not getting enough iron in the diet
Not being able to absorb the iron in the diet
Hope that helps. FLFLOWERGIRL
__________________ Best of luck to you! FLFLOWERGIRL
*****************
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Moderate Anemia (resolved) Low Ferritin-- Work in progress! Hiatal Hernia--GERD
Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Yes, blood is also lost through internal bleeding. Usually this is a slow process and can be due to:
A bleeding ulcer, colon polyp, or colon cancer
Regular use of aspirin or other pain medicines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, ibuprofen and naproxen)
Urinary tract bleeding
Reasons for more rapid loss of blood that can cause iron-deficiency anaemia is:
Severe injuries
Surgery
Frequent blood drawing like donations. This is very common.
Hope that helps. Take care. FLFLOWERGIRL
__________________ Best of luck to you! FLFLOWERGIRL
*****************
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Moderate Anemia (resolved) Low Ferritin-- Work in progress! Hiatal Hernia--GERD
Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Last edited by FLFLOWERGIRL; 05-02-2010 at 02:20 PM.
