Ferritin level "normal", but Anemic?

**JS235** · 03-16-2011 01:44 AM

Hello

,

lately I have been experiencing quite uncomfortable symptoms including: extreme fatigue/weakness, ringing in the ears, brittle nails, muscle pain, chest pain, water retention, extreme paleness, blueness under the eyes, eye pressure, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, hand tremors, restless legs and feet, and many more.

I received a blood test referral and the results came back "normal." My ferritin level is 43 ug/l, falling within the reference range. The lab indicated that 15-49 ug/l = probable iron deficiency but my doctor chose to disregard this, and told me I was ok.

I do not feel ok. In fact, I feel terrible, I do not feel like my usual self. Anxiety and depression have been ruled out because of testing which indicated that I am neither anxious or depressed (I do however feel frustrated and down due to my symptoms).

Furthermore, my TSH level is 2.31 and extensive research indicated that it should be below 2. Apparently I have a predisposition to hypothyroidism but again, my doctor chose to disregard this.

Should I seek advice with a naturopath or perhaps a specialist? What else can I get tested? Also, what is considered an optimal ferritin level? The range is so wide, I cannot understand how (ie: ) a ferritin level of 20 ug/l and 150 ug/l can both be considered optimal or normal.

Thank you for your time and input!

**Claret** · 03-16-2011 06:33 AM

Your levels are fine. As with anything else these tests only provide a guideline and show what is considered to be a normal range and how your levels stack up to what is considered normal. There are still swings higher and lower than what is stated and your levels appear to be not far off the mark. Also, your blood results can vary greatly from one week to the next and in order to state that a level was abnormal, you'd need to be really off the chart.

You may want to consider supplements if you feel that you need them. A B12 supplement and/or Folic acid will help over time and increase the absorption of iron in your system. Talk to your doctor about this and you'll get a better understanding of what the numbers actually mean.

I don't quite follow how they can rule out anxiety or depression through a test. Normally these can be diagnosed by a person presenting with a certain set of symptoms and traits taking place. If you didn't describe some of your symptoms or you left some out when speaking to the doctor then he/she may have determined you were not only based on what you have said to him.

We all get flustered and forget to properly explain our symptoms when we finally get to the doctor. My suggestion is to write down how and what you are feeling, when you feel it. For instance if you are shopping and suddenly have the feeling of "OMG, I really have to get out of here" write it down, as that is a symptom of anxiety for some people. Take your list to the doctor and talk to the doctor about them.

**Beautiful Disaster** · 03-16-2011 06:43 AM

I agree with Claret that you should consider a B12 supplement. You can buy the sublingual B Complex at your local Walmart or any drug store.

Try getting yourself a bottle of unsulphured black strap molasses. It is very iron rich, along with calcium, manganese, and zinc. Mix up a tablespoon of it in 8 oz of warm water twice a day or so. Iron deficiency can make you feel horrible. Also add things like spinach into your daily diet.

Try to avoid getting put on any sort of anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds. Work on your health and the things you CAN change. Keep in mind that SOME of the symptoms you mentioned above could be a result of stress caused from worrying about the other symptoms.

At the end of the day....you have to listen to your body.