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[CLKD]

If he refuses it may be due to protocols set by NICE/Government.  If this is the case then asking for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic may help.

[SundayGirl]

Really? At 17? Did you get any symptoms at all? It's like they wait until its worse case scenario I.e 15 or under before they decide to take action regardless if its impacting your day to day life yano. Its ridiculous. I'm gonna call my gp in the morning and ask to be supplemented as my symptoms are ongoing xx

The lab range went down to 15 so apparently I was ok as I was within that range  .  Symptoms of low ferritin include tiredness (tick) and hair loss (tick).


If you pay for prescriptions it's probably cheaper to buy your own supplements. You can buy the same iron supplements that doctors prescribe over the counter. Alternatively, increase the amount of iron rich food in your diet or maybe eat paté once or twice a week as liver is full of iron.

Before supplementing with iron tablets, either yourself or prescription, you need a full iron panel. If that shows low levels, then supplements are a good idea. If your iron panel is ok and just low ferritin, supplements can be a bad idea as too much iron isn't good.

What symptoms do you think are connected to your low ferritin?

[LouOzi88]

I'm getting real bad fatigue which isn't good when I have 2 boys to look after, light headedness also. My ferritin used to be at 50 about 2 years ago and I think with my breastfeeding and periods over time it's now dropped to 27 last time it was checked about a month ago and Its about same time I'm getting these symptoms. I cant even do exercise I get tired.

[CLKD]

Protocols seem to be have altered over the years, when we went for cholesterol bloods we were advised that we require statins.  The level had dropped considerably, of course GPs get paid for each prescription they write.  With other health conditions it seems that levels have risen - cost cutting?

[SundayGirl]

If it were me I'd go back to the GP and tell him that I'm tired all the time. That should be a trigger for all sorts of bloods - Thyroid function, iron panel, ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate.

In the meantime, increase the amount of iron rich foods in your diet.
Red meats, including liver, eggs, seafood, nuts and seeds, green leafy veg are all good sources of iron.

GP's these days seem to treat you when you're ill, rather than try to help you not become ill in the first place