Anemia Support Group

Hi All,

I was just diagnosed with low ferretin (18). I have had unbearable fatigue, sleepiness, cold hands/feet, no libido, foggy mind/unable to concentrate, anxiety, slight depression . . . you know the drill.

Now I know why. Or think I do. I'm still being tested for hypothyroidism as well.

Does iron supplementation really help? How long does it generally take to see some improvement on the fatigue?

I'll read through some posts and probably get some answers to questions there.

Glad to have found a support group to help figure my way through this!

Anna

Hi Anna. I'm glad you found us too! WELCOME!

You know, it takes some time to build up your iron..but honestly it all depends on why you are iron deficient to begin with..

And yes I have been studying the hypothyroid and low iron connection...There is some info. out there that shows iron inhibits thyroid function so it is feasible to think that there may be an autoimmune thyroid problem inhibiting iron etc..

Who knows really. There is some info. on this site about foods that are high in iron that will aid you on your way to better health. My father is anemic but felt better within 24 hrs of starting iron supplements..

Others like so many of us take a very long time to build up the iron..For some reason my body doesn't store iron..Still chasing down reasons...

Don't hesitate to ask questions...

Thanks, Tara!

I'm so thankful for this forum and for all the information I'm finding out already.

My pdoc didn't explain anything to me and didn't seem to take this too seriously. She just said "take a prenatal vitamin". I'm not pregnant. And with how cruddy I feel, I just have a hard time believing that a prenatal vitamin would do a lot (I always felt cruddy when I was pregnant (twice) and I was on prenatals the whole time! )

Anyway, I'll start on iron and vit. C supplements and get checked for the hypothyroidism, and then if that is clear, I'll find a hemotologist.

Best wishes to all,

Anna

Glad you found the info. helpful! Keep us posted on what you find and if you get to feeling better. We'll need you to encourage the next person that finds us here.

So many people are walking around TIRED and anemic and have no idea they need iron!

Anna, welcome to the group! Within 4-6 weeks of taking the iron (as directed by your Dr.) And eating good iron sources and combinations, you'll hopefully notice a huge turnaround. It takes a while, but keep it up, consistently. It's very important to have your complete blood count (CBC) monitored every 4-6 weeks too.

Welcome to the group.

Hi anna, I suffer from Low ferritin levels too, mine was 9! I didnt even know what it was and found this group while finding out! As soon as I got my results i started taking my iron supplements, and within 2 days i was feeling better,its only four weeks now since i started taking them and my appetite has returned this week, my libido is getting there (or maybe it s cos i can stay awake long enough and think about something other than sleep??lol Im due to have bloods done again this week so we'll see what they say..my nails are growing very fast, I have toenails, my period is lighter,Im awake I have energy..IM BACK!!!! lol been thirteen long years

Hi Rainy,

It's great to hear that you are feeling so much better! That gives a lot of hope!

Thanks so much for the greeting

~Anna