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What indicates iron deficiency?

GfreeOH
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GfreeOH Explorer
GfreeOH
Posted

Hello! 

I was recently diagnosed in February via. Biopsy (EGD was done in January). During my follow-up with the Gastro in February, she stated she wanted to run a number of labs to ensure I wasn’t deficient. The nurse from the Gastro office called today to let me know all of my levels were good except Vitamin D, and that I should supplement that. I mentioned to the nurse that my Ferritin seemed low, and she said the doc wasn’t worried about it. So, my question is - when does one become anemic or deficient in Iron? What are the levels/indicators. Google seems to give me such different answers that it just confuses me more. I suppose I should just listen to the doc - and if she isn’t concerned, I shouldn’t be either…but I just don’t feel 100 percent.

My levels are as follows:

RBC: 3.78 (3.8-5.2 ref range)

Hgb: 11.8 (12-16 ref range)

Hct: 35 (36-46 ref range)

Iron: 76 (28-170 ref range)

TIBC: 365 (261-478 ref range)

Iron Sat: 20.8 (>=16 ref range)

Ferritin: 11.6 (11-306.8 ref range)

Vit D25: 21 (ref range 30-100) This was previously 14, so gluten free diet helping.

 

Some of my levels are just under the normal threshold  so  I suppose it wouldn’t indicate an issue yet, but “just under” doesn’t seem like it would be optimal to me. I see Iron and TIBC are normal so maybe those are the most important labs? Anyone with similar low-end values and doctor say it was fine?

 

 

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Raptorsgal Enthusiast
Raptorsgal
Posted
15 minutes ago, GfreeOH said:

Hello! 

I was recently diagnosed in February via. Biopsy (EGD was done in January). During my follow-up with the Gastro in February, she stated she wanted to run a number of labs to ensure I wasn’t deficient. The nurse from the Gastro office called today to let me know all of my levels were good except Vitamin D, and that I should supplement that. I mentioned to the nurse that my Ferritin seemed low, and she said the doc wasn’t worried about it. So, my question is - when does one become anemic or deficient in Iron? What are the levels/indicators. Google seems to give me such different answers that it just confuses me more. I suppose I should just listen to the doc - and if she isn’t concerned, I shouldn’t be either…but I just don’t feel 100 percent.

My levels are as follows:

RBC: 3.78 (3.8-5.2 ref range)

Hgb: 11.8 (12-16 ref range)

Hct: 35 (36-46 ref range)

Iron: 76 (28-170 ref range)

TIBC: 365 (261-478 ref range)

Iron Sat: 20.8 (>=16 ref range)

Ferritin: 11.6 (11-306.8 ref range)

Vit D25: 21 (ref range 30-100) This was previously 14, so gluten free diet helping.

 

Some of my levels are just under the normal threshold  so  I suppose it wouldn’t indicate an issue yet, but “just under” doesn’t seem like it would be optimal to me. I see Iron and TIBC are normal so maybe those are the most important labs? Anyone with similar low-end values and doctor say it was fine?

 

My iron was lower I had to go for an Iv iron infusion 

Sorry I type it in the wrong spot my iron was lower 

Raptorsgal Enthusiast
Raptorsgal
Posted

How are you feeling 

  • 2 weeks later...
Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

I would read through this article and compare your scores:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355040 

Raquel2021 Collaborator
Raquel2021
Posted
On 2/28/2023 at 7:44 PM, GfreeOH said:

Hello! 

I was recently diagnosed in February via. Biopsy (EGD was done in January). During my follow-up with the Gastro in February, she stated she wanted to run a number of labs to ensure I wasn’t deficient. The nurse from the Gastro office called today to let me know all of my levels were good except Vitamin D, and that I should supplement that. I mentioned to the nurse that my Ferritin seemed low, and she said the doc wasn’t worried about it. So, my question is - when does one become anemic or deficient in Iron? What are the levels/indicators. Google seems to give me such different answers that it just confuses me more. I suppose I should just listen to the doc - and if she isn’t concerned, I shouldn’t be either…but I just don’t feel 100 percent.

My levels are as follows:

RBC: 3.78 (3.8-5.2 ref range)

Hgb: 11.8 (12-16 ref range)

Hct: 35 (36-46 ref range)

Iron: 76 (28-170 ref range)

TIBC: 365 (261-478 ref range)

Iron Sat: 20.8 (>=16 ref range)

Ferritin: 11.6 (11-306.8 ref range)

Vit D25: 21 (ref range 30-100) This was previously 14, so gluten free diet helping.

 

Some of my levels are just under the normal threshold  so  I suppose it wouldn’t indicate an issue yet, but “just under” doesn’t seem like it would be optimal to me. I see Iron and TIBC are normal so maybe those are the most important labs? Anyone with similar low-end values and doctor say it was fine?

 

 

I have been gluten free for 2 years and always have to take iron supplements.  My ferritin has always be 5, 6 or 8 cannot get passed that. I was undiagnosed for a long time so have trouble with absorption.  I still take an iron supplement. 

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