Ferritin level is 4 - talking to doc tomorrow, what should I ask?

Hi!! I have had a series of awful symptoms for the past 2 years (fatigue, irritability, hair loss, dry skin, mental disorientation - I am in my early 30's). I finally got a doctor to take me serious, and not offer anti-depressants, and do blood tests.

She said that my ferritin is a 4, and that she's having the lab run some additional tests based on that. I will be talking to her tomorrow about the results, but I was wondering, what should I be asking about the ferritin results? My iron level was normal, BTW. I took iron supplemts last year for 2 months and didn't make me feel any better. I've read in this forum that the IV infusions work great, so I will ask about being referred to a specialist for that.

I just dont want to miss asking anything important since I probably wont talk to her again for a week or so.

Thanks!

Here are the other numbers - they all are listed as normal:

White Blood Cell Count 6.4
Red Blood Cell Count 4.41
Hemoglobin 11.9
Hematocrit 37.1
MCV 84
MCH 27.0
MCHC 32.1
RDW 14.4
Platelet Count 336

Originally Posted by mommyrunmommy

Hi!! I have had a series of awful symptoms for the past 2 years (fatigue, irritability, hair loss, dry skin, mental disorientation - I am in my early 30's). I finally got a doctor to take me serious, and not offer anti-depressants, and do blood tests.

She said that my ferritin is a 4, and that she's having the lab run some additional tests based on that. I will be talking to her tomorrow about the results, but I was wondering, what should I be asking about the ferritin results? My iron level was normal, BTW. I took iron supplemts last year for 2 months and didn't make me feel any better. I've read in this forum that the IV infusions work great, so I will ask about being referred to a specialist for that.

I just dont want to miss asking anything important since I probably wont talk to her again for a week or so.

Thanks!

Here are the other numbers - they all are listed as normal:

White Blood Cell Count 6.4
Red Blood Cell Count 4.41
Hemoglobin 11.9
Hematocrit 37.1
MCV 84
MCH 27.0
MCHC 32.1
RDW 14.4
Platelet Count 336

I'm curious what kind of iron supplements did you take. If you took the OTC stuff and your anemic the OTC stuff is useless. You're using a small pin hammer when what you need is a sledgehammer. Next time you go to your doc ask him to consider a high potency prescription iron supplement. A popular one I recommend is NovaFerrum. It's relatively new in the market but it's been getting lots of positive buzz. Hope this helps --

I'd ask what sort of iron supplement you should take, and as if they checked you for thyroid problems as well.

I'd start taking oral iron (Vitacost Ferrochells 45mg are a great supplement, as well adsorbed as IV iron) along taken with either a vitamin c pill or a glass of orange juice.

A daily multi like Centrum would also be a good idea.

It can take a while for ferretin levels to build up, so dont give up too soon...... if your ferretin gets to the top end of normal range, and you still feel like crap, then you need to look for somthing else as a cause.

I asked about thyroid because that can cause many of the symptoms you describe, so make sure they looked for it.

"If you took the OTC stuff and your anemic the OTC stuff is useless"

Sorry, that isnt true...... OTC iron pills contain varying amounts of iron, wether they contain enough depends on the brand in question, and how many you take per day.

Please, please, please, don't listen to jonnstar, and "talk to you'r doctor."
A "licensed physician" will run a blood panel on you and will make a determination from the lab results. The over the counter, OTC, product are fine as a daily regimen, but "not if your anemic." This can be a serious disease state that if not treated wisely from the onset can get worse. When you go visit your doctor, he will tell you the key component in addressing anemia is how much "elemental iron" the iron product has and how much of it can be absorbed by its carrier component, i.e. iron salt, gastroferrin, etc. The products jonnstar is recommending is not in someone in your state needs.
Don't rely on getting clinical advice from people on some chat board, go to your doctor. Over the counter products are not regulated by the FDA, and are not designed to address the anemic condition. My previous recommendation was a prescription product that is designed to address the anemic condition.
Hope this helps -

Originally Posted by jonnstar

"If you took the OTC stuff and your anemic the OTC stuff is useless"

Sorry, that isnt true...... OTC iron pills contain varying amounts of iron, wether they contain enough depends on the brand in question, and how many you take per day.

jonnstar, I would encourage you when making clinical claims on an OTC to back it up with medical based evidence, i.e. head to head studies, clinical trials, etc. OTC products are not regulated by the FDA and do not have an NDA associated to them. If an OTC had medical based evidence associated to specific claims to proclaim an indication you can detail on label regarding the drug. Fact is that the OTC products you are touting are supplements and should be regarded as so. If someone is anemic that person should be encouraged to go to their doctor to run some lab tests on them. It concerns me because people actually listen to what you have to say when they should be going to their doctor.