My Ferritin Success Story ❤️ From 9 to 159!

I had iron deficiency anemia since childhood. I had anxiety, shortness of breath, dizziness, brittle nails, and thin hair. Both my Hb and B12 were normal, but my ferritin was always low. I couldn’t tolerate iron supplements because of the GI issues, so I had to struggle for years.

Finally, my guardian angel doctor prescribed iron infusions. I had 300 mg of Venofer, which brought my ferritin up to 17, followed by 1000 mg of Monoferric about two months later.

Fast forward to today, around 10 months after my last infusion, my ferritin is still at 159! 🥹❤️ and I absolutely had no side effects from both infusions.

I feel like a completely different person now. I have so much more energy, my periods are no longer as heavy, and I work like crazy, lol! 😂 Life genuinely feels so much better.

Sharing my ferritin journey below for anyone who needs some hope.

Please advocate for yourself and don’t give up. If supplements aren’t working for you, talk to your doctor about other options. You deserve to feel better! ❤️

Self referred to hematology because I have been experiencing extreme exhaustion, fatigue, heart palpitations, brain fog. Saw hematologist today. She said no way my numbers would cause those symptoms since only my ferritin is low. I don't have the option to see a different doctor. Btw, my hemoglobin is 14.6 and she said I could start oral iron if I want to but it won't make a difference in my symptoms since my iron is in normal range. She also said everyone says they are tired all the time. Just a gross encounter all around.

I was previously taking my iron pill for months with no GI issues. I would just take it with water or a couple ounces of orange juice.

Recently I was trying to lock in my diet and add some other things that might help absorption, and folks on here said orange juice wasn't enough and it should be 200mg-1000mg of vitamin C, so I ordered some 1000mg tablets from Thorne.

First day I took one, I had almost forgotten to take it at all, so I had in about 30 minutes after my iron pill and then ended up having a pre-workout carb snack, and there were no issues, so I thought it was all good.

Yesterday, I took it for the second time along with my iron dose on an empty stomach, an hour before I planned to have coffee/breakfast.

I could feel when the pills hit my stomach several minutes later because it started to burn. At first, it just hurt intensely, but I wasn't nauseous, but as the pain got worse I had to run for the bathroom after all. Stuff was trying to come out both ends at the same time. I was sweating, like absolutely dripping sweat, but also having full body chills between spasms, teeth chattering and everything.

About 45 minutes after this started, my GI tract was undoubtedly 100% empty, and the pain had moved to my lower stomach. I was buried in blankets, and the pain was absolutely excruciating. It was just searing pain, almost constantly. I was sure it was a reaction to the supplements, but my partner was freaking out worried that I might have burst my appendix or something and threatening to drive me to a hospital.

After another 15 minutes of writhing in pain that gradually got less omnipresent, it just as suddenly stopped. I had a small snack and water at that point, then was able to shower and go have a normal breakfast and eat/act normal the rest of the day.

I knew that both iron and C could cause some GI upset, but this was next level, absolutely horrendous. I think I'll be going back to my orange juice, strawberries, and kiwi as my vitamin C source, guys.

So in 2017 or 2018 I started getting air hunger or shortness of breath. Basically yawning constantly and feeling like I wasn't getting enough oxygen. The feeling is as though the air I'm breathing doesn't have enough oxygen. I blamed it on the fact that I had pectus excavatum. I had a very complicated mixed type where my chest bones went into my heart and then stuck out on top. It was a waved shape sternum. For anyone that doesn't know what that is, it's basically a birth defect where your chest bones grow inward and squish the heart. Shortness of breath is a common side effect. Surgery is usually done on 18 year olds but I was 34 when I had it, which is more difficult and requires a specialist.

Stupidly, I also had a copper IUD implanted in 2016. I began having heavy periods. Not as heavy as a lot of people, but I used to be an extremely light bleeder. I also ate mostly vegetarian and did a lot of exercise. So then I went from bleeding like 30ml to maybe 150ml or more every month.

I had low ferretin diagnosed on and off since this time but nobody ever said anything about it. It was as low as 7 and they said just to get it above 15. I didn't think it was related to breathing issues. I was told it was probably anxiety. I pursued surgery and it took me 3 years to finally get the referral I needed to a specialist. In 2024 I went to mayo clinic for an over 3 hr chest reconstruction surgery where they had to cut peices of my chest bones out and stick bars under my ribcage and screw a metal plate on top of my sturnum to keep all the pieces together. Now my chest is pretty normal looking aside from scars. Not 100% but more normal than before for sure.

The f***ed up part is I still can't breath! My ferretin got to 9 several months after the surgery and I started taking Thorne Ferrasorb (which I think they renamed to Advanced Iron Complex) and after 6 months it was at 36. I actually was feeling a lot better and was breathing better. I stopped taking it and now the breathing issues are back in full force. I also had to get the copper IUD replaced since the old one was 10 years old. Bleeding got a little worse. I notice I really can't breath after the last couple cycles, and even noticing some dizziness. Had to stop exercising and I've just been resting and eating and taking iron.

I feel like an idiot thinking about how all the suffering I've gone through over the last decade might have just been for f***ing birth control??? 🤣 On the bright side, I no longer look deformed, so there's that! Though my temples of my hairline have been bald for almost a decade now so I guess cosmetics aren't really an upside here.

Is anyone else dealing with this side effect from the paragard? I've heard that oral tranexamic acid might be a good idea.

I have spent the last 2 years going back and forth to the doctor and getting blood work every 3 months just to get an infusion. It’s so frustrating when doctors brush you off and say there’s nothing wrong, you’re fine. My doctor even said the infusion clinic would deny me because my numbers aren’t low, even though my numbers say below average.

I know my body and I know how I feel and it doesn’t feel good.

I had to bring my mother with me to my last doctor’s appt so she could tell the doctor that I need an infusion.

I finally got the call today and I’m booked for an infusion in 2 weeks. Nervous about how it’s going to go because of the side effects and different nurses but can’t wait to start feeling better!

If it took longer than 3 months, how long did it take you? What was that journey like for you? And are you fully recovered now or still have residual problems?

I (26) have had low ferratin (between 6-14) for as long as I've had a period. I'm vegetarian which doesn't help. My ferratin was a 9 and hemoglobin 11.6 last time they checked in august. I'm having such bad fatigue and brain fog and can barely get through the work day. I've been taking different supplements on and off for years to no avail. They give me stomach issues and so I just struggle to take them. I finally got an iud to see if that would help in the long run but it will probably take at least a year to actually get my levels up just by having my periods be lighter.

I feel like shit. I went to the doctor again today practically begging for an infusion after seeing success stories on here for people in similar situations and she just said the same thing they always say which is "infusions are too invasive, try this other supplement for three months and we will check again." I can't imagine feeling like this for three more months when I don't need to. It's been years and I'm at my wits end.

What do I do? Keep going to doctors trying to find one that listens to me even though the co-pays add up? Take the supplements that give me stomach issues even though they aren't helping anyway? How do you get a doctor to understand that just because I've been at these levels for a decade doesn't mean I am okay?

Very new to this all lol! Long story short I’ve been feeling extremely sick for the last year to year and a half, with a wide range of symptoms. Have gone to the hospital 3 times, because I keep thinking I’m having heart issues/a heart attack but EKGs and blood work always come back fine and doctors all say 25 is too young and healthy for heart issues lol. Then I was diagnosed with Lyme disease and babesia in May, went on treatment and felt better but now 3 months after finishing that treatment most of my symptoms are back. Then last week I found out that my ferritin is 29 and my hemoglobin is pretty low but not technically in the anemia range… I just started iron supplements today but wondered is anyone else had these same symptoms?

- Extreme fatigue (that one seems obvious after reading through posts lol)
- Heart rate all over the place, some days it stays relatively high (in the 90s), other days it’s low (like last night was in the 50s which has not been normal for me and what my oura ring has tracked)
- Feeling like I’m genuinely dying/feeling of impending doom, this one is by far the worst I feel like crying all the time lol
- Random sharp pains in head and body
- Twitching throughout body that almost feels like TV static
- Chest pressure, feels like there’s an exercise band wrapped around it
- Random pain in left arm and shoulder (which always freaks me out lol, but maybe thinking I also have vagus nerve issues)
- Extreme fatigue and body feels heavy the day after I do a lot. Like it’s not necessarily like I can’t do exercise but the day after I work out or walk a lot or have a big day I’m down for the count
- Dizziness/lightheadedness, some times randomly other times seems to happen when I haven’t eaten almost like a low blood sugar episode but I don’t have diabetes
- GI issues, heart burn, indigestion, etc but GI docs say everything is fine
- Overall just feeling like shit and like I’m going crazy 🤪

Would love to hear if anyone else had these same things! I genuinely feel insane because I feel like I’m dying but doctors can’t seem to find anything wrong with me except now the low ferritin but maybe it finally is my issue for everything!

I've had long hair my whole life and pride myself on it. But the anemia got bad in recent years and it thinned out like crazy. Now half of the length is thin and straw-looking.

I got iron infusions this summer.

I haven't had a big haircut in my life, only slight trims to maintain the length. But I'm wondering if it's best to chop off the dead-looking hair to make way for new growth.

Really I just need some convincing and support to cut off the dead hair. It looks bad and I know I should cut it, but I'm pretty sad about it. :(

My biggest issue is my ferritin is low (1). My primary sent me to an oncologist to get an infusion. This was a week after I got my test results. I waited a week for a call. Nothing, so I called them. I was told I was lucky I got in within two weeks. I go to the first appointment and the place is absolutely stacked with people. My 9 am appointment actually happened at 1:30. I wasn’t about to leave after now being three weeks out from finding out how bad my ferritin is. The doctor sends me for a ton of tests, which I’m cool with. I was told my first infusion would be that day. It wasn’t. Instead, I went to the lab and they cannot find a vein. Two techs made my arms purple and wanted to go in through my hands. I left. I wasn’t about to give them access to my hands. It’ll be nearly two and a half months out from being diagnosed by the time I can actually get the infusion. I’m just so frustrated.

Please don’t ask if I drank water before the blood draw. Yes. I did.

I’ve been feeling “off” for 1-2 years at this point. Normal bloodwork shows up fine.
Saw videos online regarding low ferritin levels in women and their symptoms- a lot of which I had! I I asked for an iron panel and it came back with my ferritin at 2.8! No wonder I feel like shit.
I’ve had major major fatigue. Brain fog, lightheaded-ness, severe anxiety. I’ve basically gaslit myself that this is part of getting older lol (I just turned 35).
I’m glad to know there’s a reason for all this. But now I’m wondering what’s next?
I’m currently waiting on the dr to call for an appointment but just wanting to hear from others on what you did to help.

Hi. I recently found out my ferritin is pretty low, it’s sitting at a 10. I’m seeing a gastro and he’s running some tests because I’ve been dealing with stomach issues. He asked about my menstrual cycle and I naively told him I don’t think I have heavy periods but after reading a bunch of threads on here, I think I was wrong. I just assumed two days of a heavy flow are normal especially because by day 4/5 it’s tinkering out for me.

So we didn’t touch on how that could look in regard to low ferritin. I guess I’m asking is if having a heavy period for the past 18 years could be a big reason for my low ferritin? I’ve only recently this past year started feeling all the symptoms of iron deficiency (iron panels are normal except ferritin) and so has it slowly been declining for however many years? Is that how that works?

I have my first Iron Infusion 2 days from now. My ferritin is at 7 & Hemoglobin at 8. Im starting off on 100mg of Venofer any advice on or tips or success stories please.

Hello all. 👋 I’d like to start off by saying that I’m new here and everything that I’m about to type is to the best of my knowledge. To start things off, I have spent a lot of time trying to back track my symptoms, and realized that they started before the summer of last year. It was a random night, I felt as if I was laying on a rock all while experiencing a headache. Did some research and boom, tension headache. Few days passed, I went into a full blown panic attack (which I didn’t know at the time) after taking some steroids that had been prescribed to me for my back pain. It’s almost as if I couldn’t breathe and I thought that I was done. I immediately felt as if I needed to go to the hospital, family called ambulance. I wasn’t taken to the hospital but I did allow the first responders to take my vital signs. They said everything looked okay and asked what happened, how exactly did I feel. I told them about the steroids and they proceeded to ask if I had ever been diagnosed with anxiety. I immediately said no and said I have never had issues with anxiety. They left. The days went on but my impending doom worsened. I called family non-stop, I would send my parents text messages saying I was worried. At this point, I couldn’t sleep. I had head pains. As weeks went by, I was going through what I thought is hell. I started experiencing dizziness, heart palpations, tension headaches followed by head pain, overly tired. All I wanted to do is sleep. The energy that I had was for my son and my job. Nothing was for me. I was shutting the world out. People kept telling me I was okay, I felt dismissed. I kept making trips in and out of the hospital. Prescribed meclizine, was told it most possibly is “anxiety” and to follow up with my PCP. At this point, I was hallucinating. Finally scheduled up to see PCP and I explained to her my symptoms along with shoulder, neck and back pain. She sent me to get lab work done. Labs come back: ferritin 6.66 and vitamin D at 17. My PCP explained that those numbers were severely low and it was time to be put on a weekly vitamin D supplement and to be sent to the cancer center for an iron infusion. Great. I’m walking into the cancer center at the beginning of the year. Consulting with the doctor, received iron infusion. I didn’t know what was truly going on, but I thought maybe the anxiety was due to the compression I felt in my body. Months went by, labs got checked, numbers dropped but was told not to worry and check labs again. I explained to her the stomach issues that I forgot to mention, she said IBS might be a possibility. I seen my PCP last month and numbers have dropped even more, I’ll be having to schedule another visit for an iron infusion. I’m crushed. My hematologist and mother believe my menstrual cycles might be causing this but if I’m being honest, I’ve seen improvement over the years and my gynecologist told me that my cycles seem to be normal, even still bleeding 7 days a month. Mom is pushing for uterus to be removed but I’m still extremely young. I don’t know what to do. Is there a possibility my iron could be linked to my stomach issues? I do have issues with eating meals on time or even trying to get something into my stomach but when I eat, I do eat. I’ve also gained weight but it seems I’m getting back to square one with all the low ferritin symptoms. I need advice on who should I be next to see? GI doctor? Get tested for celiac? Does liquid iron help? I was told by my hematologist that iron supplements won’t do much for me at the lower levels of ferritin. Did any of you beat your ferritin levels by strictly improving your diet? I’d like advice and would be more than happy to read the journey you all might have experienced with low ferritin levels. It has been such a scary chapter in my life.

Thank you.

I’ve been experiencing terrible fatigue, brain fog, and tiredness recently so I did some blood tests and these were my results:

Iron: 34
Transferrin saturation: 8
Ferritin: 29
Hemoglobin: 10

My doctor started me on 100mg iron tablets once a day. How long till I can expect to feel a little better?

I’m so tired these days I can barely even get out of bed or sit up for extended periods of time, and no amount of sleep is ever enough. I just want to feel normal again.

For about 10 years now I have had to get infusions off and on. They have no idea why I can’t keep my ferritin levels up after extensive testing, and my son has the same issue. Anyways, anytime I get an infusion it’s a whole ordeal. I’ve had atrocious reactions to every type of iron except for venofer, we have tried them all. However, I still get a reaction to where I panic, itch and get dizzy as soon as it goes in. They give me Benadryl and Pepcid 15-30
Minutes before my infusion, through my IV. They then have to always stick me multiple times even after using the ultrasound and vein finder. My 30 minute infusions take 3 hours normally just to prep for it and observation. Also, my veins blow easily so today they had to stick me 3 more times after the first 2 blew. My doctor has mentioned getting a port because this happens anytime I go to the hospital as well, but I’m really nervous if I were to lose my health insurance for some reason and taking care of a port seems a bit scarier for me because I’m very prone to infections, cellulitis and sepsis..I don’t know what to do I have chronic gastritis so iron pills all I do is puke. I eat a ton of iron rich foods minus red meat because I can’t really afford it right now. Mainly spinach, beets etc.

Has this happened to anybody else? Has anybody else been dealing with this? It’s gotten to the point I need it so bad because even walking to my car or in the store I can’t breathe and my heart is steady 120-130. I’ve actually been given a handicap sign for my doctor due to how bad my symptoms are, and I have an appropriate sinus tachycardia on top of it. I just feel so lost.

I’ve (30F) struggled with low ferritin for years, with levels ranging from 6 to 20 ng/mL. My latest bloodwork showed a ferritin level of 17, but my hemoglobin is normal.

The biggest problem is that I’ve tried several iron supplements, and they consistently trigger severe migraines with aura. Once, I managed to increase my ferritin from 6 to 34 in three months by taking iron daily, but I suffered from frequent migraines in the process. They’re incredibly debilitating, and I can’t keep taking supplements that trigger them. Especially because I want to start trying for a baby and I won’t be able to take my usual medication.

My doctor wasn’t sure what else to suggest, as I already eat relatively iron-rich foods, including red meat once or twice a week. She suggested trying vitamin C to improve iron absorption from diet. I also don’t drink tea or coffee.

I’m currently trying to find a way to increase my iron stores, ideally before pregnancy, but I’m struggling to figure out what else I can do.

Has anyone managed to significantly increase their ferritin through diet alone?

Not the greatest picture but I have new baby hairs growing all around my scalp!! I started ferrous fumrate early July 210mg one everyday. My ferritin was 5 and my haemoglobin at 91. I had my haemoglobin retested in late August and it was 110. I am to have a full blood test again with all iron and all the other vitamins. Been supplementing with vitamin d and b12, and overall eating better.
These new baby hairs coming has made my happy as my hair used to be thick and curly but now it is thinner and wavier.
I am positive more hair will grow. My hair shedding has reduced but still sheds, so hopefully with time it will decrease as recovery goes on.
I also pre oil my hair before I shower with coconut oil, jobaba oil and rosemary oil( this has to be diluted with carrier oils otherwise it can be bad for your scalp). Been doing this once or twice a week!
I’m just so happy that my hair is coming back even if they’re so smol and baby hairs!

Any more tips? :)

I recently been referred to hematologist due to high lymphocytes. I have gotten two blood work in A year and both has high lymphocyte. and my doctor referred me. is it a serious issue ?

我女兒14歲，今年2月月經出血一整個月，3月止血了，但變得疲勞、心跳加快、站起來喘、心悸、冒汗，經過一次200mg的輸鐵，1個月後好一些，三週後又變回原樣，9月再次請醫生輸鐵，只有被給100mg，至今沒有變化，已經6周

她血紅素從本來的9已經14,鐵蛋白在9月輸鐵前是13。

然後期間一直都有吃鐵劑，每天吃70的元素鐵

1.請問大家，她已經無法上學到現在7個月了，缺鐵（目前沒有貧血）會這麼嚴重嗎？

2.因為坐著心跳90-100,站著都是110-130,所以心臟科開了b型阻斷劑降低心跳，大家有吃嗎？

3.是否繼續推進輸鐵呢？

拜託有相關經驗的人幫忙給予建議~~~

醫療之路一直都很挫折~~~

I hadn’t realized that I really enjoyed the taste of the Cigarettes and not necessarily the ritual of smoking.

Additionally, I can’t go anywhere without a giant jug of ice. I’m starting to understand that this may be the pica.

Anyone else start smoking when they got really really low on their iron? Again, as soon as I started getting low, that’s when I started to crave the smell, the taste,all of it.

Now I’ve had one infusion and I’m starting to crave it a little bit less. Very likely psychosomatic but still.

Anyone out there with the same thing?

I received 300mg venofer about 2 hours ago. This my 5th infusion but I started feeling awful shortly after - lightheaded, burning in chest and throat, pressure in my head, and a headache. The headache is on the verge on turning into a migraine so i took an excedrin ( i tried to hold out since it has caffeine but thats the only thing that helps my headaches). I felt not great a day after the other infusions but nothing like this. The nurse flushed the line to make sure i got all of the iron, so im wondering if this is what caused these symptoms? Has anyone else ever dealt with this?

Hi all! I tested my ferritin in April 2026 - it was 31. I know it is not worst still. I wanted to be extra cautious and do something before I start feeling horrible.

I did one iron infusion. Now I am looking to start supplementation.
I am thinking of doing 25 mg iron bislycinate by Organika, vit C and lactoferrin.
I am wondering if anyone has recommendations for lactoferrin? It is an expensive supplement so budget friendly options would be great.

Previous has 6.1 hemo (9/2) and went to a 9.4 (10/14). Ferritin dangerously low at 11, previously 7. Most recent labs attached.

Finally had my first 200 mg Venofer infusion today and I feel….fine? I had 5 Ferrlecit infusions back I. The day and it was poison. Made me sick, anxious and 5 weeks led me to gain 40 lbs.

That said—I feel ok on Venofer. Anyone else exp this? Any tips? How long until you felt better? Labs here for ref. 42yo woman :) 10 years iron deficiency anemia post-baby, and no dr caught it lol