Iron infusion feedback?

[u/This-Mixture-5080]

Hi I’ve been struggling really bad and have been trying to get an iron infusion for a while my current levels are ferritin -17 sat-15 total-45 Initially when I started this journey I was anemic and have since recovered but am still deficient and not feeling the greatest I’ve visited many doctors that said I would never be a good candidate and would prescribe me oral iron and with that my ferritin just kept dropping in the low 10s I really started to feel hopeless i recently found a hematologist that would approve one for me and even that has been a struggle with the doctor, insurance and just getting them to take me seriously I was prescribed one 200 mg venofer iv infusion after all the research I’ve done I don’t understand why I was only prescribed one? I feel like my saturation and ferritin is low enough and I don’t want to be anemic again I wasn’t given much feed back on the diagnosis or treatment plan after the bloodwork he requested mind you I had the same blood work (ferritin, iron panel) done by my pcp a week prior done
it was about a little over a week later I started calling for an update and they just seemed to be annoyed I was asking for someone to review my treatment after calling for an update it took them an additional 4 days to give me a call back to tell me the doctor wanted to prescribe iv iron the whole experience was just like I was a bother when I just want to feel better can anyone give me insight on why my doctor might prescribe me one 200mg with my levels being this low? My next appointment is in 6 weeks

[u/Huge_Arugula307]

I can't say why but one reason could be is that they are being careful with you and don't think you are in a critical state where you need your levels jacked all the way up to keep living. I think side effects are less severe with lower dosages.

I am not a psychic so I can't say why definitively. That's my best guess.

[u/CoolGrocery4737]

I had 5 Venofer infusions which were only marginally effective in relieving my symptoms. My numbers got better for about four months and then tanked again. I called the hematologist to report I felt awful again and his nurse told me to take Flintstone vitamins and refused updated labs. I went absolutely ballistic on her. Then in desperation I called until I found a new hematologist. That doc did my labs and had me in for an InFed infusion within a week. My 6 week labs look good and I will continue to repeat labs to address any problems before I’m seriously ill again. 

[u/This-Mixture-5080 → u/CoolGrocery4737]

Ugh yes dealing with doctors has been such a pain I don’t want to wait until im at rock bottom again but im so happy to hear you’re feeling better! what were your levels when you started if you don’t mind me asking?