Long timers - need help

I got bloodwork done and for the first time my Ferritin level is 12 (yes, beyond low) Although I had blood work done in the past 18 months no one mentioned it before as being low. I do recognize my ownership in not looking into my results closer. I am very compliant with my vits.

It will be at least 6 weeks to see my endo (I have thyroid issues too and that number was wonky too and my meds need adjusting) and I don't have a family doctor - they keep moving away on me (5 in the past 5 years).

I have upped my ferramax to two a day but from what I have heard from others (all RNY) I will need infusions. Right now Ontario has a shortage of the infusion drug and it is only being given on a need to have now basis so not sure how soon I can get it, let alone be referred to a hematologist and find a new family doctor that will be on board to learn about my VSG.

Has anyone had experience in this area? Any suggestions? In ON, my center no longer sees anyone more than 5 years out.

Feramax did nothing for me. Heme iron ( proferrin ) worked quickly. Also have had good results with patchmd iron patches.

Hope all else is well.

I took proferrin for the first 3 years and have been taking feramax for the past 2.5. Hmmm. I will see what my bloodwork looks like in a few weeks. Going back to proferrin might be the answer although my wallet doesn't like that change. Thanks for the input.

I would suspect that a ferritin of 12 would be considered "need to have NOW." At that level, you very well may be facing cognitive impairment or other immediate health problems.

My ferritin is a 3 and the hematologist still thought I was important enough to get in. I still had to wait 3 months for an appointment, since the folks with blood cancer get first dibs, but low ferritin is serious business.

In the interim, I'd also suggest trying other forms of iron supplements. Carbonyl iron or heme iron may absorb better for you. Some folks also report good results from transdermal iron (PatchMD).

Thanks. It is going to be months before I can see a hemotologist so going back to proferrin might be a good option. Any idea how quickly the ferritin will improve? I have heard from RNYers that I need infusions and supplements won't help me but I figure we do absorb so maybe I can elevate my levels a bit while waiting.

I switched from carbonyl iron to heme iron, and managed to go from a 3 to a 6 in a month, but no higher since. It certainly couldn't hurt to try changing supplements until you can get to the heme.

My ferritn was 2. Yes, 2!
I struggled with it for over a year. It would go from 2 to 9, then back down. I've also got low hemoglobin.
I have been seeing my doctor and specialists. They figure I must have bleeding somewhere because my hgb keeps dropping to the point that I go in for blood transfusions.

I've had scopes/colonoscopies, and they can't find anything. I'm now going to St Pauls hospital in Vancouver BC to see a top GI specialist. I will be having a capsule endoscopy (swallow a camera) to check everything.

I have taken pretty much ever iron supplement out there, and i'm very good at taking my vits.

The day after my ferritin went to 2, I was desperate. I went to the health food store to buy liquid iron, and the lady working put me onto something else.

She gave me "Vitality" it's called "super iron with spirulina"

link: https://www.vitality.ca/products/copy-of-vitality-br-digest- br-60-tablets

I started taking it with a 500mg vitamin C capsule. I took it once a day, at night before bed.

I did this for four weeks, then I went and had my blood done again.

I went from 2 to 24 in four weeks!
I was shocked! I have never had ferritin that high before!

My doc was super impressed. He figures my body just wouldn't absorb anything, and this is the only stuff my body will absorb. That was last month. I'm actually going this afternoon for my monthly blood draw to see where i'm at now.

I swear by this stuff! For me, it works so well!