for an ad-free Fetcheveryone experience!

Can low ferritin levels explain breathlessness?

16 watchers

Prev
1
2
3
4
5
Next
Last

Roma May 2011 12:46pm, 20 May 2011 120 posts	Quote Pin Roma I have failed the test for giving blood on the last two occasions, but my iron levels are medically normal. I always thought the body was poor at absorbing iron in tablet form, but I'm trying it anyway. I can try donating again in July, so I'll see if the tabs have had any effect!!
Caramama May 2011 12:41pm, 31 May 2011 2 posts	Quote Pin Caramama Iron tabs are definitely helpful but to avoid some of the associated problems, always take them with some vitamin c, orange juice is fine. The vit c helps the body to absorb the iron, without it you can excrete up to 80% of the iron. This can be the cause of the negative side-effects and you won't get the benefit of the supplement. Pregnant and post-natal women are given this advice. Hope this is useful.
MrsBear Jun 2011 10:22pm, 6 Jun 2011 142 posts	Quote Pin MrsBear Just wanted to say thanks for the advice given here - have bought iron tablets and been taking them for a few weeks now and have found my breathlesness when running much improved
plodding hippo Jun 2011 10:24pm, 6 Jun 2011 34,699 posts	Quote Pin plodding hippo
TamsB Jul 2011 1:43pm, 4 Jul 2011 4 posts	Quote Pin TamsB OK, been taking iron for a while now, and things definitely feel better :-). I've been taking Floradix as I was given a packet by a friend. I have now nearly finished this. Any recommendations of what to buy - I understand that different people get on with different products, but was interested in people's experience. Thanks
geordiegirl Jul 2011 2:04pm, 4 Jul 2011 3,452 posts	Quote Pin geordiegirl wow I am so glad I saw this post (and welcome TamsB!) I have struggled massively with breathlessness for absolutely months, my GP has had my heart & chest checked and all ok (thankfully) they suspected asthma but no improvement from an inhaler. I always have low blood count and often get aneamic but I didnt know this caused breathlessness!! I am going for more blood tests on Friday - fasting ones not sure why?? I have also had extreme tiredness the past few months I suspect I'm just very run down with a recent busy schedule but maybe help is on hand. Great to hear that you've felt better wtih the iron supplements those of you who are taken them, I will go and get myself some when I can get to the shops, anything has to be worth a try.
Stander Jul 2011 2:57pm, 4 Jul 2011 4,006 posts	Quote Pin Stander Glad I saw this thread as well. I've been struggling too recently. Wonders if doc will let me have blood test to check this out or not
geordiegirl Jul 2011 8:21am, 5 Jul 2011 3,453 posts	Quote Pin geordiegirl your doc should definately do a blood test Stander, good luck
Moraghan Jul 2011 10:04am, 5 Jul 2011 211 posts	Quote Pin Moraghan The UKA guideline minimum for serum ferritin levels is 30 (if I remember correctly, definitely not lower) and any less you are considered deficient enough for it to affect your running. For some reason I've heard there can be problems with the odd GP to accept a problem with low ferritin levels if the other values are okay. pponline.co.uk If going to your GP it's worth asking specifically for ferritin levels as part of the test.
Stander Jul 2011 10:54am, 5 Jul 2011 4,015 posts	Quote Pin Stander Excellent article.