just had iron tests, need help understanding

berty · 06-08-2007, 05:14 PM

Hi All,
I've been suffering from tellogen effluvium for about a year now. It's getting so bad that I'm desperate. I had my iron levels checked by my GP this week and he called and said normal. Total iron is 176 and Ferritin 19, and I'm female and 28 yrs. I'm confused about this whole ferritin thing... the doc said my iron is on the high side and I should not take iron supplements. I have many symptoms of iron deficiency, but clearly, my bloodwork says otherwise, I suppose. I got an IUD about four months before the hair loss started. So, my periods are very heavy. That's why I assumed iron deficiency. If anyone can offer advice or info., I'd greatly appreciate it.

mom2cole · 06-08-2007, 05:42 PM

This sounds a bit odd to me that the Dr would say normal. I just got told a month or so ago my Ferritin was a 19 and my GI Dr wanted to do a colonoscopy to see if internal bleeding. Currently I am taking iron supplements per my regular Dr and will reck my iron and ferritin 6 wks after taking them. 19 is in the normal range but at the low end of it (10-232 normal I was told) so maybe since you are only 28 that is why Dr says normal and doesnt ask you to do anything else. But if you are having other symptons of low iron then maybe somethign s/b done. I cant recall my other iron levels or the normal on them. I got a copy of the lab results from Dr office maybe you should request this also and ck it out yourself. Oh and I am 43 so my situation may be different. Good luck!

sparkles916 · 06-08-2007, 11:58 PM

While 19 is low, it is not necessarily deficiency. The most liberal standard I have found is in the area of Clinical Nutrition, which puts deficiency at below 20 ferritin. Many other mainstream studies, including hematology are lower.

That is not to say that you might not feel better at a higher level. Do you have any older records that demonstrate a pattern where you had a consistently higher ferritin?

You may want to look into a potential thyroid condition if you have not already. Some hypothyroid people have low ferritin, are deficient or anemic too. It can account for hair loss, heavy periods as well as other well-known symtoms like faitigue, dry skin, muscle aches, etc.

berty · 06-09-2007, 12:30 PM

Sparkles,
Thanks for the info. I have had my thyroid levels checked several times this year as well as this past week and my doctor says normal. I'm not sure of the levels though. My period is heavy because of my IUD, which is why I thought I had low iron. Do you know why my total iron is on the higher side, but ferritin is low? I'm seeing a hematologist next week. Thanks!

sparkles916 · 06-09-2007, 12:43 PM

I'm sorry but I don't know the answer to your question. But, as you are going to a hematologist, he/she will be able to answer it.

As far as the thyroid is concerned, the newest guidelines state that a TSH of 3.0 is the upper limit (abve this hypothyroid), and 0.3 is the lower limit (hyper). Anything above a 2.0 is suspect for hypo, though maybe not treated. Also, a low free T4 (which is commonly given as part of a thyroid panel) is suggestive of hypo, even if the TSH is not yet very elevated.