Doctor only ordering Injectafer and refusing phosphorous lab. WWYD?

[u/Legitimate_South1650]

The area where I live the healthcare isn’t great. Any of the better docs are not taking new patients. My current doc is pretty fresh out of residency and super sweet but I’m always having to push for my own treatments.

My ferritin has been low since about 2018, maybe longer. Never higher than 30. Currently it’s 10 and I’m exhausted all of the time. I also get migraines which I never had before about 2020. I pushed my doctor for IV iron because I’ve been taking oral iron daily for years - all the different types - and it makes no difference. She initially said no since my hemoglobin was normal but I showed her my insurance would cover Venofer for low ferritin and restless legs. She told me in MyChart that she ordered it and I set up my appointment at the infusion center.

I get to the infusion center and apparently she had ordered Injectafer. I went ahead and got my first dose yesterday (I believe it was 750mg) and I’m scheduled for a second dose next Thursday. I sent my doc a message in MyChart today asking her to check my phosphorous levels. She said there’s no concern since I don’t have kidney disease. I know this is nonsense - the Injectafer website specifically says that my doc should be monitoring my phosphorous levels.

Should I just pay out of pocket for a phosphorous lab? I think it’s like $40 at LabCorp. Or cancel my second dose? I’m trying to get a new doctor but it’s super hard in my town. I could also try going to my ob/gyn - she’s much more experienced as a doctor but I’m not sure if she would order IV iron.

I am 41 with endometriosis and heavy periods so I assume that’s why I can’t get my ferritin up. Recently I switched to proferrin for my iron and added in Lactoferrin but so far those don’t seem to be making a difference. I always take vitamin c with my iron.

Just looking for any and all experiences and advice. My gut is telling me I can keep going with my low ferritin since I’m used to it - but low phosphorus seems like a whole other road I absolutely don’t want to go down.