Are there things you shouldn't do when your iron level is between 9 and 20? I mean, you can't exactly run a marathon, can you? Lifting weights? 20 pounds? 30 pounds? 40? 50? Climbing stairs for an hour? 30 minutes? Going for a walk? A walk uphill? Climb a mountain?

What about if your ferritin is below one? :confused: :confused: Should you be scared?

That's funny you said that because I just posted about how I'm training for a marathon and this whole low iron thing is really taking it's toll on me.

I would say you can do as much as your body will allow, but maybe that's what got me into this whole mess... ;)

I was unable to do anything until I got my Hgb up to 12. Then I began walking around the block at night. Before this my heart raced so bad it was horrible. Just after eating meals was also bad and even at rest.

Your body needs rest as much as possible, if you have low iron levels not a PUSH to do more. It stresses the heart too much if you are really low.

If your Ferritin is below 1, I wouldn't be scared but I would take measures to correct the issues whatever that may be. I did however get scared when my Ferritin was 2 and the doctor explained to me that after it is empty that your body pulls iron from the organs and he said that it bad. FLFLOWERGIRL:)

Wow...sounds like me...I can barely walk to the kitchen without getting out of breath/racing heart and feeling like I am going to pass out...it's horrible!! Walking around the block is definately out of the question for me!!

First time I only made it to the end of the street and my husband made sure we took the cell phone to call the kids to come and get us. I made it with a few stops to breathe. It gets better. Now I go around 2 times and my husband drags me up the driveway. I think I'm trying too hard to get back to normal. FLFLOWERGIRL:)

I'm no expert, but am only relaying what my specialist advised me during one of my visits. My ferretin had been an 8, but i was still able to walk up to the shops which was about a brisk 7 minute walk away. (was easier to walk than take the car, fight for parking and have a car accident!!) As i never did actual exercise i figured walking to the shops would suffice. Anyway, my dr told me that exercise was important, but obviously not to overdo it and to do what i could manage, not to have unrealistic goals which would lead to me passing out or causing an injury.

The reason he wanted me to exercise was that my tests had showed that long term low ferretin levels had begun to send my thyroid levels in the wrong direction. He said my pituitary gland was working over time to keep my thyroid functioning and that exercise was beneficial for this whole low iron/thyroid situation as it was important to keep the metabolic fires burning, which then helps with the iron and all these other glands, organs and bits and pieces and would help with the recovery process.

Problem was that i couldn't do anything other than take a walk to someplace close to home and back again. I did visit a gym once, took a look inside and just got tired looking at all those energetic people on the exercise machines.

Some exercise is good, just choose your form/amount of exercise carefully so it will be of benefit rather than working against you.