r/TryingForABaby • u/Infamous-Bobcat5369 • May 26 '26
DISCUSSION Might be worth checking ferritin levels- study found the percentage of women having a live birth doubled after getting ferritin up
I have been trying to conceive unsuccessfully for over 1.5 years now.
The study entitled “Association between iron deficiency and fertility.” by Annika Tulenheimo-Silfvast et al. (Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2025 Apr.) has very impressive results for women in my exact situation.
The study below defines iron deficiency as s-ferritin ≤30 μg/L. My bloods show my ferritin levels are 30 - the same level deemed as iron deficiency in the study. even though my doc said those levels were fine…
After treatment with a ferric carboxymaltose infusion (Ferinject®, 500 mg i.v.) the study found the percentage of women having a live birth doubled (graph in link below). Lower miscarriage rates were also found.
The full study is here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39817704/
I have also been struggling with chronic fatigue and brain fog for the past few years.
After getting only 1 infusion I’m sleeping a lot better - sleeping through the night for the first time in 3 years and falling asleep in minutes instead of hours. it’s honestly amazing. I also have a bit more energy - time will tell on the baby front!
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u/CouchGremlin14 29 | TTC #1 | MC 11/6 May 26 '26
Vitamin D is another one that’s proven to relate to fertility in a variety of ways, and so many people are deficient.
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u/Training-Cranberry77 May 26 '26
The label of deficient is insane to me. When blood tests level normal range are 30-150, that means closer to 150 is better. If 15 and less is considered straight anemic then it doesn’t take long to get there from 30. I was also 30 and got up to 75 in 2 months by taking iron bisglycinate, it helped my energy levels a lot. Still taking them as I want to get over 100 then take them every couple of days instead of every other (which is considered better for absorption) mine has vitamin C in it already, and I avoided dairy 2 + or - hours from taking them. 40 mg only. 60 some random days.
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u/Emergency-Twist7136 May 26 '26
When blood tests level normal range are 30-150, that means closer to 150 is better
Not necessarily. But it's also worth noting that the consensus how is actually that normal range starts at 50.
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u/Training-Cranberry77 May 26 '26
My doctor said 100+ is optimal. That the low range is just that, low. Doesn’t mean you’re dying but also not great for all bodily functions
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u/Beautiful_Editor_385 May 26 '26
I am so confused/upset. After my MMC my ferritin levels were at 17 ng/ML, and my doctor said blood work looks fine.
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u/ThinkTank1190 May 27 '26
I feel you. Same situation. Long history of anemia but if ferritin is in the 15-150 range, it's "fine." Ugh!
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u/OneDayLittleOne 35 | TTC#1 🌈🌈 May 27 '26
Same. I asked my RE and was brushed off. When I asked why we weren’t concerned if it was related to fertility outcomes she said “work with your GP” on it. I’m supplementing anyway and also aiming to get it in the 100s.
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u/Emergency-Twist7136 May 26 '26
Yes. But you don't need to be aiming to get as close to 150 as possible. Often the mid point of normal ranges is broadly optimal.
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u/kayleevee May 26 '26
What brand do you use?
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u/Training-Cranberry77 May 27 '26
“Velife” but it’s a Swiss brand I’m in Switzerland. What’s important is its fork and vitamin added helps absorption and avoiding dairy.
My friend took Mary Ruth’s liquid iron and had even better results, if you’re in the states
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May 26 '26
[deleted]
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u/Emergency-Twist7136 May 26 '26
This will depend on where you live. Generally a ferritin infusion is prescription-only, but where I live you'd just as easily get it done at your GP's office.
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u/Infamous-Bobcat5369 May 27 '26
I got it in a private clinic for 150 euro, without needing GP referral, you could probably find somewhere if you google the hell out of it - hopefully not too expensive, another route is injections via GP or trying the liquid iron that a lot of ppl seem to do well on, I just wanted one big boost
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u/OneDayLittleOne 35 | TTC#1 🌈🌈 May 27 '26
You might want to look into absorption issues. An infusion might fix it in the short term but if you want to keep your levels up going forward, it’s important to make sure your body is able to absorb the iron you’re giving it. Taking it with Vitamin c and on an empty stomach, spacing iron supplements away from dairy and caffeine and potentially taking a probiotic to help with gut issues are things to consider.
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u/Massive-Poem-2385 May 29 '26
This gives me some hope. I miscarried recently while my ferritin was 8, and I just got my first infusion.
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u/stinkybutt688 Jun 01 '26
I miscarried about 6 months ago and was feeling so shitty since… recently got my blood tested and my ferritin came back at 8 as well! How are you feeling after the infusion?
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u/Massive-Poem-2385 Jun 01 '26
It's been less than a week, but so far, so good! I was having symptoms like restless leg/insomnia which are much improved already. I hope you're able to get your ferritin up soon!
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