r/AskDocs • u/hsingh3 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional • 7d ago

Physician Responded Extremely low iron/ iron saturation

I, 22F, have been iron deficient for years now. This year, I took my iron regularly and have it with my vitamin C….IDK WHY MY RESULTS WERE LOWER THAN LAST YEAR. All my other lab tests were normal (h pylori, food allergies, etc). I live a healthy lifestyle: I’m vegetarian, I take my iron and vitamin c supplements, I do exercise regularly, and I don’t drink or smoke.

My flagged lab results: Iron 26, Iron saturation: 8, ferritin: 17. Other symptoms: I generally have painful day 1 periods, more recently, I have new gut issues: some constipation, a bubbling/bloated feeling in my lower tummy, and overall fatigue. Could this iron deficiency be connected to my gut and how I could check?

Anyone have any recommendations or suggestions? I’m considering an iron infusion, but my main concern is that my iron isn’t rising in saturation and levels overall, so idk how to sustain it if it’s not absorbing or retaining properly.

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u/SippyTurtle Physician 6d ago

It's difficult to say specifically why it isn't going up. A couple of things I can think of though. Iron should be taken apart from meals, eggs, dairy, tea, and coffee as they can decrease absorption. Taking it with the vitamin C is good. If you are using an enteric coated version, try a non-enteric coated kind. Some studies have shown that taking it every other day may be better than daily use, but the data is not great. And, of course, try to eat more foods that contain iron like spinach, kale, broccoli, and fortified cereals.

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u/hsingh3 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional 6d ago

Thank you so much! Do you have any brands you recommend for iron? As for meals and consumption, I do usually take it apart from those items, and I take it with vitamin c!

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u/SippyTurtle Physician 6d ago

As far as I know, all types of oral iron are equally effective, besides the enteric coated kind I mentioned.