Chronic Low ferritin. Need advice from those who have fixed low ferritin.

[verylargeshoes]

did you notice any issues with iron infusions?
Ex: elevated labs?

Not really, though at the time I wasn't taking AAS or doing the full lab array that comes with it on a regular basis.

 

[Ateam2023]

i just started that above protocol (post #13) of iron ferrochel 72 mg 3x day for 5 days, i have a bloodtest on the 6 th day, i don't know if im getting tested for ferritin though? Ill pull a test anyway to get some data , because i have to figure out something,,

 

[Tbaz192]

i just started that above protocol (post #13) of iron ferrochel 72 mg 3x day for 5 days, i have a bloodtest on the 6 th day, i don't know if im getting tested for ferritin though? Ill pull a test anyway to get some data , because i have to figure out something,,

Following. Looking forward to the results.

 

[deeoeraclea]

So after all my issues this year.
Most of it has been fixed and or corrected. I thought…

Except my very low ferritin.
And it affects me bad. Real bad.
I was taking 150 test a week. Felt normal and decent for a while. Labs looked good. All normal.
So I upped my dose, added GH (DR said I needed to anyways), and some Reta.

Just pulled labs again after upping my test for 4-5 weeks. I knew something was up. I felt amazing and then one week later. I was flat. Not seeing results in the gym or at home. And everything was sore and weak. Got so bad I’d almost fall asleep while working, couldn’t lift in the gym, felt very weak and numb at moments, minimal libido, and random headaches, with the mix of irregular higher HR. And I’m so pale. I’m like Elmer’s glue white.

My ferritin fasted came back at 13ng/dl
(Reference range 38-380ng/dl)
6’3 220
Now back to TRT / 3iu GH / 1.5mg Reta.

This is one of the things I came across for people on TRT to boost ferritin fast.
But the Reta completely messes with it.

Fixing High Hemoglobin or Hematocrit and Low Ferritin While on TRT

Anyone have any other recommendations?
I’d love to know how life is with a ferritin in mid range. So exhausted speaking and doing anything is miserable.

Hmmm. This is interesting. I had low iron, low ferritin, low RBC, and generally was anemic my entire life. I tried everything to fix it, including daily iron, every other day iron, iron with and without vitamin C, liquid iron and iron infusions. Nothing worked UNTIL I got on TRT. That solved my issues entirely. I'm on 140 mg/week of test. That was plenty to get my iron, ferritin, and RBC into the middle of the reference range. I'm really surprised that, if you are on TRT, you are still having issues.

 

[Ateam2023]

Hmmm. This is interesting. I had low iron, low ferritin, low RBC, and generally was anemic my entire life. I tried everything to fix it, including daily iron, every other day iron, iron with and without vitamin C, liquid iron and iron infusions. Nothing worked UNTIL I got on TRT. That solved my issues entirely. I'm on 140 mg/week of test. That was plenty to get my iron, ferritin, and RBC into the middle of the reference range. I'm really surprised that, if you are on TRT, you are still having issues.

"TrT" is so different for everyone, its been proven, alot of factors go into good bloodwork besides , "trt",

 

[deeoeraclea]

"TrT" is so different for everyone, its been proven, alot of factors go into good bloodwork besides , "trt",

For sure. I just find it interesting how many different specialists I saw to help resolve my anemia and not a single one of them suggested checking my testosterone levels to see if this could potentially be the source of my problem. This -- and a plethora of other less-than positive experiences with the traditional American healthcare system -- really make you wonder about the quality of care we are getting in the USA.

 

[Ateam2023]

For sure. I just find it interesting how many different specialists I saw to help resolve my anemia and not a single one of them suggested checking my testosterone levels to see if this could potentially be the source of my problem. This -- and a plethora of other less-than positive experiences with the traditional American healthcare system -- really make you wonder about the quality of care we are getting in the USA.

we are actually very fortunate to live in the USA where healthcare is "manageable" , ,

 

[Photon]

i just started that above protocol (post #13) of iron ferrochel 72 mg 3x day for 5 days, i have a bloodtest on the 6 th day, i don't know if im getting tested for ferritin though? Ill pull a test anyway to get some data , because i have to figure out something,,

Take iron together with vitamin c, increases absorption.

Edit: scratch that, the protocol is not for increasing absorption of iron.
I'm not even sure how this works.

 

[Tbaz192]

Hmmm. This is interesting. I had low iron, low ferritin, low RBC, and generally was anemic my entire life. I tried everything to fix it, including daily iron, every other day iron, iron with and without vitamin C, liquid iron and iron infusions. Nothing worked UNTIL I got on TRT. That solved my issues entirely. I'm on 140 mg/week of test. That was plenty to get my iron, ferritin, and RBC into the middle of the reference range. I'm really surprised that, if you are on TRT, you are still having issues.

Yeah, been on TRT since I’ve been 21 & I’m 27 now.

Buttttt last few years I’d say. My ferritin has been under 20-40. Meanwhile cycling off and on so I’ve had countless labs with elevated RBC/Hemo/HCT. And more recent my ferritin has come back at very low numbers multi times.

Which unfortunately I’m back to my old symptoms and feeling like crap.
Felt awesome for the first month of iron supplement. Now it’s back to fatigued, weak, and feeling like I’m floating.

Gonna pull labs tomorrow & see a naturopath soon that my buddy sees. See if she will help.
And or hit up an IV /Health place that does iron infusions based on my labs results.

 

[Tbaz192]

Take iron together with vitamin c, increases absorption.

Edit: scratch that, the protocol is not for increasing absorption of iron.
I'm not even sure how this works.
View attachment 341436

yeah something with the hepcidin and the science behind it.
Takes your elevated RBC/Hemo & uses it to raise ferritin. Pretty cool

 

[BamaCrazy]

Yeah, been on TRT since I’ve been 21 & I’m 27 now.

Buttttt last few years I’d say. My ferritin has been under 20-40. Meanwhile cycling off and on so I’ve had countless labs with elevated RBC/Hemo/HCT. And more recent my ferritin has come back at very low numbers multi times.

Which unfortunately I’m back to my old symptoms and feeling like crap.
Felt awesome for the first month of iron supplement. Now it’s back to fatigued, weak, and feeling like I’m floating.

Gonna pull labs tomorrow & see a naturopath soon that my buddy sees. See if she will help.
And or hit up an IV /Health place that does iron infusions based on my labs results.

Maybe it’s something else that is causing your symptoms. My ferritin is usually low and it is currently out of range now. But I never feel fatigued. I never seem to have any symptoms associated with low ferritin. My iron is in range which is usually the case.

 

[Tbaz192]

Maybe it’s something else that is causing your symptoms. My ferritin is usually low and it is currently out of range now. But I never feel fatigued. I never seem to have any symptoms associated with low ferritin. My iron is in range which is usually the case.

Yeah not sure. Every other lab order has come back normal in range. Nothing borderline low or high that could point to issues. Other than my ferritin being very low.

Fatigued, gas out easy, weaker than usual, brain fog, short of breathe easier, minimal libido. Etc.

Fun times

 

[Tbaz192]

So boys got labs yesterday. Results are trickling in.

Been taking Ferrous biglycinate 25-30mg nightly for over a month +
In hopes of raising my low ferritin.

What I’m currently taking as well.
100mg Test M/TH
2iu daily GH
2mg RETA.
200mg glutathione weekly

My MCHC once again popped being slightly low out of range.


Prior to this test. Last labs it was 30.
Slight increase since last time.
I’ll post up my iron/ferritin once comes thru.
My guess. It’s low. MCHC being low indicated iron deficiency anemia.
CBC had zero change. No elevation from iron supp.

 

[Tbaz192]

correction*
MCHC and low ferritin is early signs of potential anemia issues

 

[Photon]

correction*
MCHC and low ferritin is early signs of potential anemia issues

What's your platelet count at?

 

[Tbaz192]

zero change in ferritin with supplemental iron.
Even with vitamin C.
Looks like iron infusions are the only way to go now. Have an appointment the 28th.

 

[Tbaz192]

What's your platelet count at?

217.

Looking like my body can’t absorb iron worth a shit lol

 

[Ateam2023]

View attachment 342045
zero change in ferritin with supplemental iron.
Even with vitamin C.
Looks like iron infusions are the only way to go now. Have an appointment the 28th.

well i hope get better results, i take my bloodwork tomorrow, i have only been doing that "protocol" for less than a week , wondering if thats even enough time to get a boost in ferritin?

 

[Tbaz192]

well i hope get better results, i take my bloodwork tomorrow, i have only been doing that "protocol" for less than a week , wondering if thats even enough time to get a boost in ferritin?

Hoping it help! I’ve read others having success with that “protocol”

Highly surprised the most and easiest absorbed form of iron, had zero effect on me.

For a few weeks (the first weeks) I was feeling great. Gym was going hard. And then that initial load of iron my body adapted to with the work load. And then I assume it went back to normal of not absorbing any iron.

 

[Tbaz192]

@Ateam2023 any update on your ferritin after that protocol?