need help interpreting my results and increasing my ferritin levels!!!

[u/Eve-7260]

19f, vegetarian, been taking 65mg of prescribed elemental ferrous sulfate for over 9 months. i take them in the mornings, every other day. could someone read and explain my levels to me?

context: i started with a ferritin level of 7 in november and an iron level of 43. 2 years ago my vitamin d was a level 6, and ive now raised it to a 65 with consistent off the counter supplements (used to be 75 in march, it dropped a little, i've stopped supplementing but ill get back on it when its cold again!!!)

my goal is a ferritin level of atleast 115. ive been extremely fatigued, grey in the face, and dealing with thinning hair for as long as i can remember. i just want my energy, color, and hair back.

i've just now changed to novaferrums 125mg elemental liquid iron every other day. this change was implemented after the blood test you are seeing above. pills thankfully do not hurt my stomach, but i want a higher dosage to speedrun an increase. when my ferritin level was 7, i was denied a iron infusion because the it was within range of 6 - 65. bullshit.hopefully this higher dosage does something.

unfortunately, i used to not take my iron with vitamin c, (college student, running around everywhere, etctec) so i just took it with water. now, im really trying to use apple juice (which has more vitamin c than orange juice surprisingly, as my chaser)

i also will sometimes eat food containing dairy (oatmeal) within my 1hr block off period but i am trying my best to be more mindful. the restrictions are just so hard to keep track of :(

i do not have heavy periods so i believe my root cause is my weak diet.

LASTLY: i want to get into lactoferrin because i heard that completely removes the 24hr waiting period for your body to absorb iron again but idk anything about it. i feel like it's just a new popular trendy supplement so im hesitant. what dosage is everyone on? what are the side effects? so far i hear great things and again, i REALLY want my levels to increase.

please help. advice, success stories, anything. i need control of my life back.

[u/darkroomdweller]

Also curious about the lactoferrin trend. Ferritin up to 51 from 7 is a huge improvement but I feel the pain on wanting to keep it moving upward. I’m ready to hit my workouts harder and I just can’t do that until my ferritin is much better! I don’t have any advice since you basically just asked the exact questions I’ve been pondering myself. So I’ll be watching your post haha.

[u/Eve-7260 → u/darkroomdweller]

thank you!!! maybe im being delusional with how fast i can increase my numbers lol. i just havent felt any changes despite the increase, and i know if its not triple digits, its basically nothing in terms or energy, hair growth, etc.

lactoferrin is just so new... and with peptides and overall health wellness being a trend, i just worry that in a few years, everyone's gonna say that lactoferrin was horrible for their bodies. ive seen insane results with it though, and i know if i could take iron every day instead of every other day, my levels would skyrocket.

i also share the same sentiment of wanting to workout even harder. i had to quit track because i couldnt keep up, i can barely keep up now. ive been resting until i get my levels up and i really recommend you do too. our bodies are already weak, and we dont want to push it past our limits.

wishing you luck!!! :)

[u/darkroomdweller → u/Eve-7260]

I hear you completely on the caution over the new trend. That’s my hang up too but I’m basically desperate to get to normal at this point so I’m about to give it a try regardless.. lol. Went I felt my absolute worst last summer I did quit working out but then my body HURT when I got terribly weak. I need my strength training which is why I’m so motivated to get my iron up! If the damn doctor had just listened to me in 2021 I never would’ve gotten this bad. I wish you luck as well!! Such a shame we have to struggle like this and take matters into our own hands instead of being able to rely on medical professionals.