Well, after raising my ferritin from 9 in august to 24 in november I was hoping I would raise it at least another 15 point, but I only raised it one. I will say I am disappointed. I have been trying very hard to do what ever I could to get my levels up. Taking 4 iron pills a day, cutting out dairy, drinking less beer, virtually no red vine, eating more beef, not drinking much tea or coffee. I did get a new iron skillet today. So hopefully that will make a difference. I also bought some Lysine today. I am really glad I didn't loose any ferritin points. Still was hoping for a bit more improvement.

Ugh, sorry it didn't raise more. But you're right---at least it didn't go back down.

YES, get some Lysine and C to take with the iron. Hopefully you'll be to 100 before ya know it!

CD111--That happens, sounds like you are in a holding pattern. But it's good that you are stable because it could be dropping and you are maintaining levels. It hasn't been that long for you either since your last lab. I would also be disappointed because you have been working hard. It just takes a very long time for many and everyone absorbs differently. We all take different types of iron which makes different results across this board. What works for one may not work for another person. What type of iron and how much are you taking?

I was told by my Hematologist to get a cast-iron skillet too but I didn't try it because my husband has iron overload, his ferritin was 2,589 so that wouldn't work in my house.

It sounds like you are doing everything right from your post. Do you take iron on an empty stomach as well? Keep up your hard work, it will pay off one day. FLFLOWERGIRL:)

I think when the iron stores are really low, like yours were at 9, the first jumps are pretty good and fast. After you get a decent start going, it slows down. I think because the body is just not as starved. Also, the body has a mechanism in it to try to prevent iron overload. So the more iron you do have, the more this mechanism will kick in. I noticed also that once I got to 20, I seem to b going very slowly. I went from 5 to 20 fairly quickly. In September I was at 24, in November at 20, and today I found out I am at 29. I've just faced that it is going to be a slow climb from here on out.

Thanks for all the support. I really appreciate it.

Personally, the 20's were the worst for me. It took me virtually a year to get from 8 to 29, then after another 3 months i went back down to 26. You naturally think after doing all the right things, taking supplements etc etc that after 3 months it would have gone up, not down. I think the 20's must be like going up hill, once you reach the top it will be much easier from the 30's onwards.

I know it can get you down, but don't give up you can beat this. Do you have repeat tests every 3 months? If so, focus on the next 3 months. When i was in this situation it reminded me of people who are losing weight, then reach a standstill and can't seem to lose anymore weight despite doing all the right things, then suddenly they begin losing weight again. As long as you are doing all the right stuff and there aren't any other medical issues you should be fine, it just takes time unfortunately.

I finally did my repeat tests today and should get the results in a couple of weeks. The gp who fills in the pathology slip with the required tests was excited to see me as he recalled speaking to someone about hair loss and iron issues but couldn't recall who it was so he was happy to see me as he has another patient with exact same problem who apparently is at her wits end in regards to her hair loss. He will now pass on my treating doctor's details to this other patient so she can go get some help. It's amazing that a gp can't treat a patient for something like this. The gp didn't even know that iron deficiency can cause hair loss!! I'm happy that this poor lady will finally get help. I nearly went to another gp i sometimes see to get the pathology request done, but he was away so had to see this other one. Funny coincidence that he was hoping i'd come in too.