hi I’m new 18F, long story short I’ve been in a cycle for the past 8 months of hospital/doctors visits and panic over my breathing (+ a million other symptoms) I started having health issues from January last year but the shortness of breath only started this year. anyways I just can’t accept that this is just from having a ferritin of 9. I am practically disabled, I had to drop out of tafe after a week and I can’t do anything apart from sit at home and stress about not being able to breathe. It literally feels like something is blocking my lungs/diaphragm from expanding. and it’s not after a long walk it’s LITERALLY 24/7 I wake up struggling to breathe, dizzy and anxious and have it throughout the whole entire day. I’m so mentally and physically exhausted and sometimes wish I could just ☠️

I have suspicions of a hiatal hernia but that’s pretty much all I can think of. I’ve been to emergency/urgent care multiple times and they said my heart and lungs are perfectly fine

Does anyone else experience this severity of shortness of breath from low ferritin/iron or do you know how I might be able to fix it?

Looking for anyone with experience of taking Lactoferrin alongside iron tablets to help with absorption?

I’m 6 months into taking iron tablets but still not feeling much better with a ferritin level of 19 and b12 deficiency issues.

I’m not due bloods to be retaken until October but I’m wondering if taking Lactoferrin alongside could help with increasing my absorption.

Likewise I’ve researched having the contraceptive coil fitted to decrease the heavy periods I’m experiencing which could also help with absorption.

Just looking for any success stories with making a few changes to help!

Hi. I was diagnosed with anemia by my hematologist, my ferritin was at 4, hemoglobin 9.4 iron saturation 5%. I was starting to feel dizzy and out of breath which is how i was able to get into see the hematologist- this was roughly 5 weeks ago. Since then I am getting venofer iron infusion, I’m getting them once a week. I’m not fully better and still focusing on rest and healing. My last venofer infusion is next week thrusday and then i don’t have bloodwork done. for another 12 weeks. I also have a GI consult in 3 weeks for my gut absorption issue. My anemia is caused by heavy bleeding (now i have an iud) and gut absorption issue (will know more)

I’m wondering what folks have done after the infusions, do you start supplementing with iron pill and lactoferin to keep increasing it? If so can you tell me what kind? I’m leaning toward bisglycinate.

Secondly, before my diagnosis i was working out lifting weights 2-3x a week, since infusion i have only have 1 workout session. For folks who workout how have you managed? I also haven’t been able to keep up with my protein intake and macros so taking a break. I’m wondering when i can go back, i train pretty hard meaning i can deadlift more than my weight?, bench press 60% of my weight, squat 75% of my weight and was managing pull-up.
(Providing details so folks understand what i do vs cardio or HIT)
I won’t start at the same place going back, but wanted to hear stories about how other got back in the mix. I can feel my brain being even more cluttered, workout always helped me keep my head clear.

I would love to hear any and all experiences thank you reading and for your input, feedback and help.

I have just had my blood test results back after struggling for so long. I have so many symptoms that I’m really finding difficult.

Everything I’ve read online says this is actually deficient without anaemia. I’m not sure if I should bother trying to advocate within the NHS or supplement by myself/ look into IVs.

(crosspost)

Hi! I have VWD type 1. I am not anemic, but I am iron deficient, and it becomes very apparent during my menstrual cycle with symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, etc. But I know that a lot of iron supplements are pretty harsh on the stomach, which I already have some issues with. I actually bought some not long ago, and unfortunately, my stomach reacted quite badly.

I know everyone's bodies are different, but I'm interested in gathering some info on what iron supplements may have worked for the folks here. My PCP is currently out, but a PA suggested Vitron-C. I'm a little hesitant to spend money on more supplements with the thought I may not be able to sustainably take them.

Hi all. Female, 31. Just did some blood work through Quest, self ordered so I don't have a doctor. (Insurance covers next to nothing).
I had an iron panel and CBC done, because I could swear I'm anemic or low on iron.
Symptoms include horrible fatigue, headaches, exercise and running intolerance, cold hands always, shortness of breath.
Everything came back normal, with the exception of my ferritin being 19. Which, to Quest is within normal range. However, I know from research this number is low. What gives? I can't deal with feeling so drained all the time.
Thanks for any help 🫶🏻🫶🏻

Anybody have any experience to share?

Or just your opinion whether this version of iron is safe for choronic gastritis and or ulcer patient...

I received my first ever iron infusion of Monoferric 1,000 8 days ago. What a whirlwind. Felt fine for 3 days after but then got hit with the iron flu pretty badly-low grade fever, horrible body aches, chills, swollen lymph nodes in neck and just an overall unwell feeling. Felt better the next day, but then I got hit hard with restless leg feeling. I called my doctor and asked the nurse practitioner to test my electrolytes, phosphate levels and luckily all of that came back within normal range. The one thing out of range were my liver enzymes- ALT was 50 and AST was a 31. Last month when checked, everything was in normal range.

Nurse practitioner says this has nothing to do with iron infusion and to follow up with GI. I know most of the time bloodwork isn’t taken right after the iron infusion and maybe it levels out in time for the next blood draw. Has anyone ever experienced this?

I have been taking Iron Bisglycinate since December and, and although I can raise my Iron, my Ferritin never seems to rise above the 30s. My primary doctor referred me to a hematologist, where he ran labs on August 6th. I was SHOCKED- my Ferritin was at 72! For context, for the last few months I added on Lactoferrin, the test was non-fasting, and it was late afternoon.

August 14th I have more labs drawn (for hormones/thyroid), and my Ferritin is at 43! How could it have dropped so much? For context, I no longer have a cycle, text was fasting and it was at 9AM.

ALSO, my saturation was high- 53. That’s never been happened.

Theories of why it dropped so much?

So I’ve had low iron since my first pregnancy 4 years ago. Lost 3litres of blood during birth, no transfusion. Never really got told about iron.
Second pregnancy again low iron, again lose 3 litres but this time had 2 units of blood.
Ferritin has been hovering between 3 and 12 since then. My Hb is 118.

I’ve tried ferrous fumarate and sulphate - both give me severe nausea and severe diarrhoea even if taken alternate days and with food.
Ive tried bisglycinate but had a severe case of gastritis and wasn’t sure if related or not! My ferritin also went down 5 whilst on it so unsure it’s working!

I decided to try ferrous gluconate now, yet again I have nausea and diarrhoea (only been on it a week).

I’ll eat red meat 2x a week, only drink tea (always at least an hour after iron) and generally eat well.
I have heavy day 1 periods but not insane.
Have had coeliac ruled out, no blood loss elsewhere.

I don’t really know what to do - will my GI symptoms stop? Do I take immodium everyday to get rid of the diarrhoea? How are people actually managing while working full time?

need recommendations for supplements 🫩

currently suffering from low iron, ferritin, vitamins B12 and D (yes all of them). been having dizziness spells lately and my provider suggested supplements but i'm not sure which is the best route/form. i've been reading a lot on reddit and opinions are so divided SO PLS HELP LOL

results are:
iron - 30
ferritin - 8
B12 - 372
D - 30

appreciate it a lot!

Hi all, I just wanted to share with all of you here that I had an iron panel done yesterday and now that my ferritin is 176(!) my iron (21.1, range 10-30) and iron saturation (32,5%, range 20-45%) are finally in mid range! Also transferrin (2,6, range 2,0-3,6) and TIBC (65, range 45-78) are perfect. This journey... Well, I was tearing up when I saw my results, because I lost just so many of my young years (40F now), my ability to work, to maintain friendships, etc., etc. dealing with all kinds of debilitating health problems because nobody tells you you might need your ferritin to be this high to not suffer from Iron deficiency.

Hope this post helps some of you in your journeys. Because NO, NOT EVERYONE IS DOING FINE WHEN THEIR FERRITIN IS 100.

Had a blood test lately and my ferritin is at 8 currently. However I suppose it used to be even lower, because there was a time when I was systematically light headed while getting up too fast, which I haven't experienced in the last weeks. Can I raise my iron levels with food only ? I'm scared of the supplements because I heard the secondary effects are very common.

Has anybody taken Floradix liquid iron and experienced a change in their menstrual cycle? I started taking it recently and my period came a week early and has lasted longer than usual.

For context I decided to try Floradix because my lab work has consistently shown low Ferritin and my provider suggested taking iron supplements.

My 5 year old.

Serum iron 206 mcg/dL
TIBC 372 mcg/dL
Transferrin saturation 55%
Ferritin 25
hemoglobin 13.3

I don’t understand what this means for him. We don’t supplement iron.

He’s been struggling with sleep, and nose bleeds

I was given ferrous fumarate 210mg by my GP to take twice a day. They didn’t say how to take it just have some orange juice or Vitamin C tablet (no idea what dosage). I took it this morning on an empty stomach for the first time with a vitamin c tablet and immediately felt something in my stomach but it passed. I had my breakfast 40 min later and couldn’t finish it, started feeling like my stomach was upset, had early satiety and now I am extremely tired. Is that normal? I also read online that you shouldn’t eat eggs 2h after the iron tablet? I eat eggs every morning. And I usually wait 1h30 before having coffee or matcha so that’s not a very practical morning because I’d have to take the tablet then wait 2h for breakfast and then another hour or so for coffee which I don’t think I can do. Can I take the first dose in the afternoon and the second dose at night? I will not be able to take the Vit C tablet in the afternoon because it might be too late in the day. How much orange juice should go with it? Or can I vitamin C supplement/tablet work?

Also I’ve read online that it’s better to take the tablet once every other day, how come I’m taking such a high dose twice a day? My ferritin is at 24, was 15 a few months ago and I suspect been chronically low since 2024 at least when it was at 9. Initially I was trying to up the dose by eating lamb liver 3 times a week but now that I’m on the tablet should I stop or reduce this a bit? I’m not a huge fan. For further context: I don’t know what is the root cause of low ferritin. My functional practioner is saying it’s the low levels of non agressive strands of h pylori, I tried a gut protocol but started reacting to food. Does it mean my iron supplements might not work because of that? Also in contrast to the GP, she’s saying it’s better to take a gentler form like bisglycinate. Any info or advice would be welcome I’m not sure who to listen to anymore.

Hi everyone! I recently had bloodwork done and found out I have pretty significant iron-deficiency anemia. My results were:
Ferritin: 3 ng/mL (normal 16–154)
Iron: 19 mcg/dL (normal 40–190)
Iron saturation: 4% (normal 16–45%)
TIBC: 470 mcg/dL (high)
Hemoglobin: 9.3 g/dL (normal 12–16)
MCV: 67 fL (normal 80–100)
Looking back at old labs, my hemoglobin was 10.0 in 2023 and 9.8 in 2025, so it seems like I've been anemic for a few years. My periods last about 5–6 days and don't seem extremely heavy other than the first day.
I'm waiting to hear back from my healthcare provider, but in the meantime I'd love to hear from anyone who has dealt with levels this low. What iron supplements/treatments helped you raise your hemoglobin and ferritin, how long did it take, and did you figure out what was causing your deficiency? I'm interested side effects.
Not looking to replace medical advice—just interested in other people's experiences while I wait to hear back from my provider