Hypothyroidism Low Ferritin - Iron Problems Your Doctor Missed!

[@DrBradBodle]

Did you know that ferritin can represent iron status and inflammation? Let me know what you think in the comments!

[@Neon12J]

Hi Dr Bodle, so glad I stumbled upon this video! Great information, thankyou. Hoping you see this comment & can take the time to give me some quick advice on the efficacy of desiccated blood/liver/spleen supplements - are these the gold standard for heme iron supplementation? Or would you recommend something else? I’m a male aged 25 and my ferritin is only 22.

[@DrBradBodle]

@@Neon12J Hi Neon, thanks for the message! I usually use a supplement that includes ferrous bisglycinate, which is a form that is well absorbed by most people and has minimal side effects. I like to use this because the dosage is very clear, which helps me to modify the amount depending on what the patient needs. However, I do have a fair amount of patients who are extremely sensitive and do not tolerate most supplements. In those cases, or in cases of just general wellness, I do like using either liver or desiccated liver supplements. The dosage can be a little more variable in these situations, but as long as you're getting follow up labs, you can adjust your intake based on the response. It works though, I've seen many patients who have improved their ferritin levels with liver capsules and they haven't needed the higher dose supplements or infusions. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@Neon12J]

@@DrBradBodle Thanks a million for such an informative reply, much appreciated! I shall try to find a bisglycinate form. I eat lots of red meat and liver so I’m very confused as to why my iron is so low (was even having heart palpitations for a few weeks until I ate 300g of raw liver one day and they haven’t come back since). Some days I have extreme fatigue & am constantly yawning & have brain fog, I also have SIBO and I lived in a house with extensive black mold for a year - both of which I’ve heard can deplete iron, would you tend to agree or maybe have another idea?.

[@Yellow-oc4sl]

So far I have researched that sibo ibs fibromyalgia can have a part of not absorbing nutrients like iron , besides inflammation and another thing infection as well , arthritis too.

[@CelinaBelizan345]

Iron and the thyroid function! wow never thought about the relation! Thank you Dr. Brad for sharing such valuable information!

[@DrBradBodle]

They are heavily related, but this is one area that commonly gets missed. Glad you liked the video Celina!

[@arymhansie]

Amazing Dr Brad, I never knew this! My daughter has pcos, low levels of vitamind D, Low iron levels , Free T3 is 3.5. Free T4 is 10.8 and TSH is high-5.14. No doctor mentioned the correlation between low levels of iron and thyroid function. She is insulin resistant as well and a big belly.How i wish you would reply...... She is autistic as well. I have cut down all her carbs such as pizzas, candy etc and have changed her diet to include fish, chicken and loads of veggies. Her weight was 89 kilos 4 years ago. Currently it stands at 69 kilos and has stalled completely. The belly does not budge, doctors don't give any advice. The endocrinologist has put her on metformin 500mg twice a day. You are the only doctor who has talked about this in such detail, so grateful, thank you.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Arym, I'm glad that you found the video to be helpful! I'm sorry to hear that your daughter is having to deal with so many health challenges, that sounds hard. It sounds like you've made some good changes, so great job so far! If she's stuck with her weight and she's continuing to have problems with vitamin D, iron, and abnormal thyroid markers, then you may need to address those to help her continue to make progress. Hope this helps! Thanks for reaching out!

[@arymhansie]

@@DrBradBodle Oh my God, you replied-wow, you are amazing! Thank you so much!

[@DrBradBodle]

@@arymhansie Of course! Happy to help 😊

[@Mystomach]

Wow. Incredible. WELl done for being an awesome mum

[@VinceLymburn]

Did not know anything about this condition! Thanks for laying out all the details.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Vince! Thanks so much for stopping by and watching! Really appreciate the feedback 👍

[@Mystomach]

Great Video thanks. Will look for organ meat and red meat

[@Neon12J]

Hi Dr Bodle, so glad I stumbled upon this video! Great information, thankyou. Hoping you see this comment & can take the time to give me some quick advice on the efficacy of desiccated blood/liver/spleen supplements - are these the gold standard for heme iron supplementation? Or would you recommend something else? I’m a male aged 25 and my ferritin is only 22.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Neon, thanks for the comment and my apologies! I thought I had responded to your comment, but it looks like it didn't post. I typically use a type of iron called ferrous bisglycinate. It's generally well tolerated and has been shown to improve blood iron levels. I like using this form because the dosage is clearly defined, which allows me to make adjustments for my patients. However, in people who are sensitive to the supplement, I do like to use desiccated liver or spleen. I've used it with many patients and that will also help to improve your levels. I try to do my testing a little more frequently in those situations, just so I can get an idea of how the values are changing and make sure everything is supported appropriately. Hope this helps! And hopefully you'll get this message :)

[@tanyaannbrown]

Your videos are always jam-packed with so much information. Love learning from you!

[@DrBradBodle]

Thank so much Tanya! Sometimes I think I might be overdoing it with the info, but I'm really glad you like the videos. Hope you're having a nice weekend!

[@delaineymacphearson6850]

One of my levels, I can’t remember, but it indicates high inflammation. Malabsorption is an ongoing issue.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Delainey, if I understand you correctly, you're right! Ferritin can indicate high inflammation when elevated as well as iron overload. It's important to correlate it with other inflammatory markers to figure out what is really going on. If you have high ferritin in addition to high CRP, homocysteine, or fibrinogen, but a history of malabsorption, then you could be experiencing low iron at the same time as high inflammatory levels. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@melindakitto]

This is great info. I think Iron pills seem to be seen as a blanket solution so I love how you've dug deeper into it

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Melinda, iron is definitely one of those things where it should only be used when appropriate. I'm glad this provided some context on the topic! Thanks for the feedback and hope you're having a great day!

[@athi414]

Hi Dr.Brad, Thank you for your informative video. I have been having slight suffocation and fatigue on and off for the past 3 weeks. The trigger is usually physical exertion. When I told the symptoms my PCP told me that it should be anemia. My blood test showed Hb-13.4gm/dL, Hct, MCV,MCH,MCHC,MPV are all in lower normal range. Serum Iron - 56mCg/dL and Ferritin-29.2ng/mL. I have blepharitis and mild insulin resistance for several years now. I also have subclinical hypothyoidism for past few years. My PCP says my symptoms are not iron deficiency related since my Hb is normal and is having me do other tests like PFT. I have been taking iron supplements and iron rich food which seems to help with my symptoms. Saw another doctor same story. I was planning on doing self ordered iron panel test and consult another doctor with the results because I feel like it is definitely iron deficiency. What do you think?

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Athira, you're so welcome! I'm glad you like the videos. Let's see if we can help you a bit! Something that I think is important to note is that people can have low iron symptoms without having overt anemia. In fact, many times, anemia is more of a late stage "symptom" of the low iron status. To me, your ferritin is low and would warrant action to support it. Have you noticed any changes or improvements by adding in the supplementation? Unfortunately, you're running into a common sticking point I see with a lot of doctors, which is not addressing iron until the markers are clearly outside of range, even if someone has symptoms. As you saw in the video, the research suggests that ferritin should be much higher than what the lab ranges dictate. Additionally, if someone has an MCV around or under 85, then I think that's another strong indicator that iron is trending in the wrong direction. So I'm with you and think you're on the right track! Would love to hear more about you adding the iron and if that helped. Thanks for the questions!

[@athi414]

@@DrBradBodle Thank you so much for your response. Adding iron supplementation and iron rich food has improved my symptoms a lot - my ferritin increased to 38 and MCV to 86.

[@DrBradBodle]

@@athi414 Of course Athira! That sounds like a great response so far. I would continue with your approach and continue to track your lab values. My hope would be that your symptoms continue to improve!

[@katherinemartinez5848]

Thank you!!! This is the most helpful bit of information I’ve had in years!!

[@DrBradBodle]

You're welcome Katherine! I'm so glad to hear that! Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@katherinemartinez5848]

@@DrBradBodle thanks! Do you know anything about heme iron? I have hashimotos, low stomach acid, and low iron. I was taking ferrous sulfate with great progress but tried taking heme iron supplements about 60 mg a day, and my symptoms started coming back! Is it possible with my health that I’m not able to absorb iron from the heme supplement? It’s three arrows simply heme.

[@christinsambor]

SO much relevant information! Thank you for sharing!

[@DrBradBodle]

I'm so glad 😊 Thanks for stopping by and watching! Hope you're having a great weekend!

[@purr181]

Thanks for the video. 😊

[@DrBradBodle]

Of course! You're very welcome 😊

[@ArturoJohnson]

great info! thanks for sharing this!

[@DrBradBodle]

Absolutely Arturo! Thanks for stopping by!!

[@mybigfatexpatlife6865]

Hi Dr. Brad, Thank you for all your work helping strangers. You are awesome! Do you have a moment to perhaps brainstorm? 4 years ago I was fit as a whistle, ate low carb diet and ran 4 miles to work daily (Weight 150 pounds) 5'4 and 33 at the time. I have always had heavy periods but I was told it's normal. Then, one day as I was running/jogging to work, I started experiencing muscle weakness in legs & everywhere, fatigue, exhaustion, weight gain, cold hands and feet, hair fall, dry skin, brain fog, etc. Did a CBC and all looked within the "Normal range" although looking back on that report, no iron or ferritin included. Today (at 210 pounds) my fatigue, weakness is more although I don't have cold hands and feet and the brain fog comes and goes. I do feel worse in general (although taking low dose levothyroxine to address a subclinical thyroid TSH 4.60) My thyroid is now 1.80 which is fine. I am now experiencing ringing in ears and sometimes cricket sounds and a general feeling of pressure or more like inflammation in my head/ears area. My inflammation markers are low. I remember did a CBC in Lebanon (again, "perfect" health profile) in 2020 and iron *WAS* included which was 54 with "normal" range of 40-200. I also had low resting blood pressure to which I was told to "get some exercise" and get my heart rate up, to which I responded," I can't! That's why I'm here". My last CBC in Cyprus (EU) was last month and it also included iron and now ferritin which I'm happy was ordered because I'm new to all this medical stuff. The report states my iron is 40 and my ferritin is 16 (Cyprus normal range is 13-160 which is far different than Lebanon normal range levels) and I beleive I've perhaps cracked the code? That I've been anemic all these 4 years and didn't know it? My AWFUL, home bound, life- pausing, symptoms are nothing more than iron deficiency? My questions are the following: 1.) How do these iron levels look in your medical opinion? 2.) Do you think the running and heavy periods and caused ALL of this unfortunate ill health? 3.) I am now supplementing with an iron pill (45 mg) but also like to take a spoonful or 2 of pure blackstrap mollases or carob syrup. I also take more than 10 other pills, L-lysine, Co-Q10 etc.Will this be too much iron daily? 4.) Iron infusions, yay or nay? I'm afraid of MORE weight gain, and further complications or anaphalctic shock. Thank you, doctor for your time. God bless.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi there! Thanks so much for your message! Let's see if we can tackle a bit of this together. To me, these iron levels do not look great and although they might not be the sole cause of all of your symptoms, they're likely a big contributor. Because there's interplay between serum iron, bound iron, and stored iron, the levels can vary a bit from draw to draw. However, I've had patients with "better" looking markers than this and still felt as though a trial of iron would be worth it, only to see positive changes. I can't say for sure if the running and periods caused all of the health changes. It's possible that the issue with the heavy periods was long standing and eventually got to a point where your body couldn't tolerate it anymore. Regarding your supplementation, blackstrap molasses contains about 1 mg of iron per tablespoon (~15 ml), of which it's estimated that about 80% is absorbed. This in combination with your iron pill will not lead to iron overload as long as you're periodically checking your lab markers (every 2-3 months or so). I will typically have patients take 25-50 mg of ferrous bisglycinate depending on tolerance. Iron infusions can be a great way to quickly get iron levels back to normal and they do work. However, it can be hard to find a practitioner who is willing to do that when your labs are "technically" within the normal range. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@MoniaFORSETE]

Very comprehensive! And you get me biggest compliment regarding the detailed, yet accessible, information in this video. I would love to hear your thoughts on iron infusions to avoid the side effects of iron tablets?

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Monia, thank you so much for your kindness! I'm glad you liked the video. I definitely think iron infusions can be an option, especially if someone's iron levels are extremely low. I don't have a good source for this, but I'd probably use caution if someone had elevated inflammatory markers as too much iron can be inflammatory as well. So as long as the patient and the doctor are looking at the full picture, I think we can use either option to fit our goals and needs. Thank you for the question and have a great day!

[@gabrielaruiz-andrews1443]

Hi Dr Brad, I really appreciate your videos, they have been very informative as I learn about Hashimoto’s with which I was diagnosed a month ago. TSH 5, normal T4, no symptoms. My iron level is good at 106 ug/dl but my ferritin is on the lower end of the normal range at 20 ng/ml. Should I be concerned or do something to increase the ferritin levels? The other levels are normal.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Gabriela, thanks so much for your kind words! I'm glad the videos have been helpful to you. As always, we want to correlate our labs with symptoms and I tend to be cautious and want to avoid overtreating people. However, to me, that ferritin does look low and I like to use 50 ng/ml as an absolute minimum. It's possible that you might also see some improvements in areas that you didn't realize were lagging. If you were my patient, I think it'd be reasonable to do 1-2 months with iron support, see how things respond both functionally and on the labs, then go from there. If not, I would continue to monitor things and take action if the ferritin starts to go lower. Hopefully this is helpful and sounds reasonable to you!

[@janmartell9792]

Would you believe that I've had these symptoms for over 40 years, and have been treated for Hashimotos the past ten years? I just recently found that my ferritin levels are very low. I have just started taking iron, but am afraid it may be too far gone.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Jan, it's my belief that we can always make changes to help us improve, no matter how long we've had the health problems. I understand your concern, and yes, ideally we would have liked to work on these things sooner. But we wouldn't want those ferritin levels to go unaddressed, so I would say to do your best and hopefully you can get some good results! Thanks for sharing and I hope you see positive changes here soon!!

[@D.Daskalakis]

My ferritine is low but iron/hematocrit/hemogoblin are good. My TSH is a bit high and probably that drops it.

[@veronicakalafatis7865]

Great info! I did not know that. I am currently seeing a hematologist for a ferritin level of 5. Its been 3 months of taking iron bisglycinate 25mg bid and vit c. I am on a no grain, dairy or sugar diet today marks 6 weeks (trying to heal my gut). I have endometriosis so I have heaby periods and inflammation even though my markers came back negative. What can I do to get my ferritin levels up? Thank you

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Veronica! Thanks for the comment! While it will more than 3 months to get such low levels up, we'd like to see it move faster than that. Two things to consider here. One, your dosage might be too low. Two, the gut problems and the endometriosis could be too severe for the supplement to overcome (poor absorption coupled with excess blood loss). Those would be priorities for helping the iron get back to normal. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@delaineymacphearson6850]

Has your Dr offered you infusion? I honestly can’t remember the pharmacology name but I call the iron infusions. I get 3 a week apart. Usually at least twice a year.

[@bigbillyz]

Higher iron mg

[@kaylaberry7983]

I have no thyroid due to goiter two years ago. Come to find out my ferritin level was a 17! I had horrid symptoms and they got worse after surgery. I finally have ferritin to 42 after a few weeks of supplementing Heme iron. I also take HCl when I eat so I can absorb my food. I have already had to decrease thyroid meds in 3 weeks for hyper symptoms just with this increase. My cycles make me worse every month, so hopefully I can get this under control with supplementation. I did have a parasitic infection because of mold exposure, but I detoxed for that. Hopefully things will settle soon.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Kayla, thanks so much for sharing! Yep, 17 is low in my book and definitely something we should be aware of when an individual has lost blood due to surgery, has heavy periods, or isn't absorbing nutrients well. I think pivoting to include some strategies to improve your hormones is a good plan! Thanks again and hope you continue to feel better!

[@HomeCumilla]

I am glad I came across this video; many doctors don’t know what you said. I have a quick question; if someone is born without thyroid and current ferritin is low does he/she have to take iron supplements for rest of their life? Or just months when ferritin level goes back to normal? I really appreciate and thanks from Canada.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi there! It depends. If there's some sort of issue that continuously impairs the absorption of iron, then it might be necessary to take long term. When I'm not sure with a patient, I'll have them supplement until normal levels are restored, then we'll have them go off the supplement for a few months and track. Depending on how their numbers and symptoms respond, we can make a better decision for them moving forward. Hope this helps and thanks for the question! :)

[@HomeCumilla]

@@DrBradBodle I can't believe you replied in such a short time period. You are the best

[@DrBradBodle]

@@HomeCumilla Haha, sometimes I get lucky and I'm at my computer when a comment comes through. I try to grab them quickly if that's the case, but it doesn't always work out that way :) Thanks so much and hope you have a great week!

[@annerobinson647]

Hello Dr, thanks for this info. Im 60 and taking thyroxin for over 10 years, history of slight anaemia, but otherwise great except have got osteopena and osteoporosis in spine. Fit and healthy, hiking etc.but wonder about relation between thyroxin and bone thinning. Have been taking some extra calcium,mg and live in sunny Australia. Is it true that once on thyroxine you cannot come off it?

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Anne, you're very welcome! There is a relationship between thyroxin and bone thinning if the dosage of thyroid hormone gets too high. Additionally, if there's any inflammation associated with the thyroid condition, then that can contribute to worsening bone health. It sounds like you're making a lot of great choices! To help in these areas, I always encourage patients to do the things you're already doing, reduce inflammation when necessary, increase protein intake especially as we age (not as well absorbed when we get older), and also include some resistance training. Hiking is great, but the positive stress you put on the bones with weight lifting, even if it's light, can help to improve bone health. Hope this helps!

[@annerobinson647]

@@DrBradBodle Thanks you so much for taking the time to reply, Doctor. It's encouraging and I'll keep an eye on my dosage of thyroxine

[@IntentionalMarriages]

I was actually put on iron pills for a time. Interesting!!

[@DrBradBodle]

They can definitely be useful when needed, but like any intervention, it has be used in the appropriate situation. Thanks for the comment Danielle and hope you're having a great weekend!

[@kapalhill1823]

So could my ferritin be low because inflammation

[@MLHealthandLife]

Hi Dr Bodle, I just came across your video searching for help. Where do you practice? Do you offer Telehealth, what insurance do you take? I’m in Seattle WA. 35 y/o female, no kids. Chronic fatigue started my journey in 2014. What has been uncovered is: dx - hashimotos, sjogrens, positive ANA, SIBO, low iron. Here in 2021 still battling chronic fatigue, it’s disabling. GI, Endo, Functional, MD have all dismissed me. NOT on oral iron my ferritin will run 15-20 (feel like a truck ran over me). On meds 3x a day it’ll run 25-55. Hemoglobin is ok. Have never been offered the sat. testing you suggested. I’ve spent 5k on various testing over the last 5 years. I’m tired, I’m tired of being tired, it’s disrupting my entire life now 7 yrs now and I can’t live like this . Curious to know your thoughts, MD’s aren’t concerned with a less than optimal ferritin level or the reason why it remains less than optimal even taking iron meds. They’re only looking for anemia ☹️

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi! I am also in the Seattle area :) My practice is in Des Moines. I'm sorry to hear that your doctors have dismissed you, that sounds terrible 😟 With the different diagnoses that you mentioned, each one of them could contribute to fatigue and low iron, so it would be important to both support your iron while working on the root cause (as you stated!). My opinion is that labs are very important, but what's more important is how you feel and function. Even if the ferritin isn't "low," if you're still feeling exhausted then we need to figure out why. This stuff certainly isn't easy, but I don't see any reason why you couldn't make progress with the proper information and planning. Hope this helps to answer your question! Thank you for reaching out and let me know if there's anything else I can do for you :)

[@MLHealthandLife]

I have NOT been impressed with any provider I’ve seen for fatigue, it’s crazy! Functional did a lot of testing and came back to say he didn’t know what was causing the fatigue, likely GI. GI dismissed me and sent me to ND. I went to Endo and they sent me back to PCP. I have all the signs of iron def w/o anemia, cognitive decline, sleep disturbance, weakness, fatigue - with oral iron I’m not having success getting my ferritin up. I feel like death, today I took 2 naps after sleeping 8 hours. I don’t think who I’ve seen has the knowledge about irons critical role, and the impact it has on people’s quality of life. Anemia comes post iron deficiency, drs aren’t focusing on stage one which is deficiency. With oral iron I will hover between 20-50 ferritin. I can’t imagine what 100 would feel like! Do you have a suggest for a Hematologist, I can travel!!??

[@DrBradBodle]

@@MLHealthandLife I'm 100% with you. It's very frustrating to get passed from one practitioner to another and not getting any good answers. And you're right! We can have problems with low iron before the development of anemia, so it's important to be proactive. As I touched on before, it sounds like you probably need to take iron to get your levels up, but there's something there that is either preventing absorption or causing increased iron loss. If we can answer what is causing the problem, then it will be easier for the oral iron to improve those levels. Unfortunately, I don't have a hematologist to recommend, but this is something I work with on a regular basis if you'd ever like to chat about it. Just let me know! We always offer a free consultation so people can ask questions and make sure we're a good fit. Happy to help however I can!

[@MLHealthandLife]

ICM in Seattle if going to do 3 IV iron infusions, once a week for me, for 3 weeks! This will help get my storage tank (ferritin) up to 90-100. I have to tackle the GI SIBO/SIFO issues again (3rd time) as this is likely where the malabsorption is occurring. I will give them an opportunity if i don’t get better I’ll make my way to you next! It has been a looooooog 7 years of chronic fatigue and other symptoms….

[@DrBradBodle]

@@MLHealthandLife That sounds like a great plan! You're right, it can be necessary to boost those iron stores up with the infusion, but you also need to address the cause of the malabsorption so you can avoid it happening again. I hope both go well for you and you see some solid improvements! 7 years is way too long to be feeling this way!

[@karenalberini714]

I just decided due to this mysterious overwhelming fatigue to research why my ferritin is low. 4 was my first value. 3months ago 14 and after 3 months iron every other day with vitaminc . Now it is 17. Tibc 300 iron normal and hgb normal and hot normal. I am taking omeprazole so will stop that. I eat alot of dairy so will cut down. I have to force myself to eat any red meat or chicken and fish. I have been so ashamed and embarrassed by this overwhelming fatigue. Doctors make me think I am crazy. I isolate in my room and sometimes take Adderall but that only helps a little. It gives me palpitations. My low ferritin was discovered by a pulmonologist who did a sleep study on me. Low ferritin causes restless leg syndrome which I have. She is hoping to get my ferritin up to 50. She said it could take 6 months. I cannot wait that long. My WBC was 13.5 and now 11. My abs neutrophils and lymphys are always high. But have come down a little. In October 2022 my TSH was 1.333 and now in April 2023 is 4.250. I will keep watching and researching. I will make an appointment with an endocrinologist and a hematology. I have a rare blood type B-negative. Wondering if there is any correlation. I appreciate any input. I want to enjoy life. This is so debilitating. Thank you for your time and hope.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Karen, thank you for sharing your story with me! As I'm sure you're aware, that ferritin value is EXTREMELY low and I"m glad you're working on improving it. Not everyone can tolerate infusions, but it might be worth it to talk to your doctor and see if that is an option to get your levels up faster. I will also combine an iron supplement in combination with beef liver capsules for patients sometimes if we're trying to use all options to support recovery. Wishing you the best on your journey! Let me know if there's anything else I can help with and thanks again for the message :)

[@karenalberini714]

@@DrBradBodle what kind of beef liver capsules are the best. Looking back at some of my labs going back to 2010 I saw 2 RBC MORPHOLOGY SMEARS. ONE SAID POLYCHROMASIA 1+. AND A COUPLE YEARS LATER POLYCHROMASIA ANISO 2+. I don't know what that means. It was never addressed. Have I been suffering all this time or can it come and go? It has taken 3 months to get my ferritin up to 17. Most of my labs from that year on abs lymphs abs neut and RDW% High WBC ranging at highest quite often 13. Platelets normal Hgb normal Hct normal. But in 2013 I developed bilateral pulmonary embolism after knee replacement. Then 2013 developed bilateral pulmonary embolism unprovoked. I thought I was getting a cold. I was under a great deal of stress. BIG STRESS. Had genetic testing done. Not genetic. My.cousin died of leukemia on my father's side at 10 years old. Her mother my father's sister has Rh B- Blood and so do I. have RH-B BLOOD. Sorry for all the questions. Do you have any insight ? I so appreciate your time and knowledge.

[@21truthbetold]

Hello Dr. I am suffering extreme fatigue and hair loss. I try to drink coffee to keep me awake. All of my blood work (and iron) came back normal, except my Ferritin was extremely low (10ng/mL), and saturation was borderline 16% (if its one point lower its low). My thyroid is also fine, but I do not want low ferritin to cause thyroid problems. My iron is okay (62mcg/dL) and read the accepted range is 40-190. My Dr. doesn't understand why there is a difference between a good iron level and low ferritin. I take 65mg of iron (325mg of ferrous sulfate) every other day- one day yes and one day no. I am afraid if I take it everyday my iron will be too high because right now I have normal iron. It worked for my iron, but no my ferritin. I also do not have any of the other inflammatory markers, but my Vitamin D is low (20). So super low ferritin, borderline saturation, super low vitamin D. It not my thyroid, and I've been taking iron for months. Also, I do think I have a low metabolism, and always have. Do you know what I can supplement with since the iron supplement seems to be missing something? Is it possible to lift the ferritin levels and vitamin d levels without overdosing on the iron? With my current ratio of 6:1, for my ferritin to get to 70, I'd have to have my iron up to 420- which I know is too high. How do I fix the ratio and not overdose on iron?

[@heatherowen8528]

Need vitamin c to move iron to ferritin.

[@21truthbetold]

@@heatherowen8528 Thanks for this recommendation Heather. I am trying to take the iron in the morning with orange juice.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Omar, you're correct and I agree with you. Although serum iron is fine, we can still have low iron problems due to the low ferritin and iron saturation. I would not be concerned with having your serum iron get too high as your body will shunt it into the storage areas that need ti the most. So yes, it's possible to improve these levels without overdosing. I would look at using an iron form such as ferrous bisglycinate and taking 25 to 50 mg per day with food. You could also consider taking desiccated liver if you need some additional support. Most iron supplements include vitamin C as it has been shown to improve absorption. You'll also want to consider why you're having a number of low nutrients and you may want to support your gut to improve overall absorption. Things like digestive enzymes to improve stomach acid, probiotic therapy, and nutritional changes all might be helpful to you. I hope this gives you some ideas! Thanks for reaching out!

[@eatsimple4166]

Does hypothyroidism cause gas n bloting n food comes sometimes up .Does with vey low fartrin

[@seascape1059]

Hi Dr Brad. Thank you for such an informative video. Could you please tell me why you think my ferritin, iron level and iron saturation as decreased whilst my heamaglobin has increased? Ferritin has gone from 33 to 11 iron from 14.7 to 12 and iron saturation from 27% to 17%. Heamaglobin 127 to 137 in the space of 2 months. I don't get it. During which time I have supplemented with low dose iron, B12, b complex. Having been suffering from iron deficiency anemia. The final results are three months after one 500mg infusion of interject.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Rachel! I'm glad you liked the video :) Here's what is likely going on for you. First of all, iron levels are never a perfect science because there's always going to be some dynamic changes depending on demand. That said, as you've been taking iron and also received the infusion, it provided your body with more available iron that was then used for building protein (in this case hemoglobin). You're body still needs more iron as demonstrated by the ferritin continuing to be low, but what you're seeing is a flow of iron from it's stored format into the tissues that need it. The other thing that could be messing with the numbers a bit is the fact that inflammation can increase ferritin values. Low iron overall is a stress on the body and getting the infusion may have helped to reduce some of that stress and inflammation. This could be shown by the drop in the iron values. Hopefully this makes sense! Let me know as I'd be happy to try and explain it in another way if I was unclear. Thanks again Rachel!

[@seascape1059]

@@DrBradBodle thank you SO much for your super speedy reply. I totally understand what you are saying and it has eased my mind 😊. I really appreciate you taking out the time to reply, for explaining things and for what you do on this channel. You are helping so many people particularly in the UK were this subject is not understood well by GPs. When I was first diagnosed I was sitting at Ferritin 4, iron 3, iron saturation at 5% and heamaglobin at 110. Aswell as the other bits out of whack. And I was laughed at by my GP when I told him I was breathless and every other symptom of iron deficiency. I felt like some crazy chick until I came across videos like yours! So a massive thank you for helping us to get better care and treatment. God bless you 👍

[@DrBradBodle]

@@seascape1059 You're very welcome! I'm not always this speedy, but I do my best. I can't believe that anyone would laugh at you, those numbers are crazy low! I hate it how some doctors would rather blame the patient for something that they don't understand. I'm really happy to hear that the videos have been helpful, wishing you the best and hope you continue to see improvements! Feel free to reach out if you ever need anything :)

[@seascape1059]

@@DrBradBodle Hi again Dr Brad, I was wondering if I could ask you a quick question again! I have got all my levels up after another iron infusion but my serum transferrin level is going down and it's now 1.82gl (normal range 2.5-3.8). My iron level is only at 18 so that can be improved. But my heamaglobin and ferritin are decent numbers now. I am still feeling rubbish. Can you feel rubbish with low transferrin levels? And why would they go low? I'd appreciate your advice 👍

[@DrBradBodle]

@@seascape1059 Hi Rachel, happy to help! Serum transferrin is an indicator of how much binding protein (i.e. transferrin) is available to pick up and transport iron. After a transfusion, the amount of transferrin available to bind iron is decreased because of the extra amount that has just been introduced into the system. This is probably not the reason why you're feeling poorly and I would guess that we need some follow up on the iron panel to see where things are trending. Where were your ferritin levels most recently? It's possible they could be "normal," but still not optimal for good health. It's also possible that there are other aspects of your health that need support to help you feel better. Hope this helps!

[@elisabyler3421]

What does it mean if ferritin is low but iron saturation is high? I'm confused about whether to supplement or not.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Elisa, iron markers are dynamic and sometimes that don't always reflect a clear or exact picture, which can be confusing. It might be helpful to get some follow up testing to get an idea of the overall trend of the markers. Additionally, whenever I'm working with a patient and we're unsure, it's usually pretty safe to do a 2 or 3 week trial of iron just to see how we feel. That amount of time won't create an iron overload situation, but it should provide some functional feedback based on whether we feel better. With the low ferritin that sort of approach might be reasonable for you. Hope this helps!

[@elisabyler3421]

Thank you so much Dr. Brodie!

[@DrBradBodle]

You're welcome Elisa!

[@gigafia5358]

Hi Dr.Brad. i need some advice.my ferritin is allways low,its going up and down between 55 and drop down to 34.i feel terrible. Now i have thyroid problems for 3 years i went on medication nothing got better still the same symptoms. TSH 8,TPO 35, and i also hade high rt3 no doctor helped me with this so i needed to do my own work.found a natural doctor took a stool test posetiv for SIBO!! I have horrible gut issues,food intolerance,extreme fatigue,hair loss,cold hands and feet,Brain foog,also tested posetive for leaky gut. Do u think that treating my sibo,and leaky while taking supplement to get my minerals up is the best way to go? I dont take any iron i am scared it will do more harm than good.no doctor told me that gut infection can cause all this iron problems and also hypothyroidism symptoms...my doctor said i have subclinical hypothyroidism.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Giga, yes, I would agree with you that the gut problems are likely leading to the low iron values. Poor absorption and decreased ability to break down food is often a cause of low nutrient status in the body. With my patients, I usually will address both at the same time and this seems to help people respond more quickly. That means, working on the SIBO and leaky gut issues, while potentially taking a good iron supplement. Of course, we want to track things with periodic labs and see how your numbers respond that way we don't risk getting too much iron in the system. Hope this is helpful to you! Let me know if you have other questions!

[@spikespiker6824]

I m hypothyrd and anemia and underweight plz help ma to gain weight

[@katmeg1117]

Can hypothyroidism cause low ferritin ? My mom has and she has chronic antral gastritis hiatus hernia

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Kat, yes it can. Those types of inflammatory gut conditions can make it hard to us to extract and absorb iron from our food. This can then perpetuate thyroid issues as iron is necessary for thyroid function. Thanks for the question Kat!

[@katmeg1117]

@@DrBradBodle thank you for answering:)

[@DrBradBodle]

@@katmeg1117 You're welcome!! :)

[@eatsimple4166]

Which form of injection is good

[@DrBradBodle]

I do not do iron infusions, so I'm not the best person to answer this question. Sorry! Wish I could be more helpful!

[@shahasha9887]

Is there s link with low ferritin with hyperthyroidism? I have low ferritin, and high T4. All the rest of the blood test are normal. I eat healthy and iron rich foods, and do not combine it with coffee / calcium. Please help , male here.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Shaha, yes there is! The enzymes in our thyroid are heme dependent, meaning, they need iron to function properly. Some people have continuing thyroid symptoms, even if they've already addressed things with medication, because they don't have enough iron in their system. Sometimes when we're low on iron, supplementation can be helpful to get us back to normal. Eating iron rich foods is great, but it doesn't always get us out of a deficient state. Let me know if this helps!

[@shahasha9887]

@@DrBradBodle thank you so much for the reply. I followed you here! The doctors find it strange why I have low ferritin, HB is normal, and I eat a lot of meat / fish. It has to be a problem with digestion that the iron is not absorbing. I take ACV before meals, but still my ferritin is low. Time to take pills, but wish I found out the reason why, instead of just taking pills.

[@DrBradBodle]

@@shahasha9887 You're welcome! I would agree. If there is low iron even with a healthy diet, then it's often an absorption process. The other possibility is that I see low iron in some of my patients who are athletes, which can require a higher amount to maintain healthy levels. Supplementation can be helpful to get you feeling better, but you're right, it'd be a good idea to figure out why the iron was low in the first place.

[@An-hw5tl]

Please, can you tell me why my ferritin level always is in normal range 146.8 (13-232norm)but iron level in blood is low 44.2 ( 50-170norm). Have I to take supplement? I have all symptoms from iron deficiency

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Anahit, it's likely that this is due to inflammation. Inflammation can increase ferritin levels, even in situations where iron is low. If you have symptoms of inflammation, then chat with your doctor about doing a potential trial of iron supplementation and seeing if it helps your symptoms. You can then do follow up testing and track your ferritin to make sure it doesn't get too high. Hope this helps!

[@An-hw5tl]

Thank you for your answer. I was really waiting for it. Here I cant find any normal doctor who can help me. Nearly all my diseases I found myself: celiac , lactose intolerance, Hashimoto,dolichocolon, hypothyrios, constipation all my life, hair lose, and now I am very tired always and have hands , feet and all body pain. I dont have any hope that one day I will be have healthy body. I am dairy free, grain, gluten free now. Only eat meat, walnat, sunflower seed, vegetables. Took 1 month ferum supplement and on 17 I am going to test again ferum levels. Need I also to check ferritin again? Please help me to find which inflamation I have. What kind of tests I have to do?

[@DrBradBodle]

@@An-hw5tl You're welcome Anahit! I usually check ferritin every 2 months or so. For inflammation, I usually check CRP-hs, homocysteine, uric acid, fibrinogen, and vitamin D, just to name a few. Usually, not all of the inflammatory markers will be elevated, but one or two might be, which can help you to track progress.

[@An-hw5tl]

@@DrBradBodle Its about 3 days that I feel well, have some energy but I dont know what was the resan. Maybe that I started take vit B12 5000 ui? , formerly I took it 1000ui. I have also genetic mutacion folic acid homozigod from mthfr A . I dont know how long I will feel like this . 😌 Crp, homocistein is normal, vit D always is law, now I take 10.000ui every day and check it with parathormon. Only I didnt check uric acid and fibrinogen. I will check them . Thank you very much

[@ihatesnakeu6652]

My haemglobin is 11.7 which I normal according to my doctor but my ferritin is 22 .am I anemic I also have hypothyroidism I have thin hair

[@DrBradBodle]

Even though the hemoglobin is within the normal range, that's still trending on the low end and could cause symptoms. Either way, the low ferritin needs to be addressed to help support thyroid function and your hair. Remember, just because something is in the normal range doesn't mean it's normal for you!

[@evaboese8975]

My ferritin is a 5 I have no energy

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Eva, you'll definitely want to chat with your doctor and see if supplementation or infusions are necessary for you. Hope you can start feeling better soon! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@terrio5662]

My ferritin was a 4 and my doctor put me on prescription of ferrous sulfate and I stayed on it for about one year and also took b12, my doctor also ordered a colonoscopy and endoscopy and it was discovered I not only had a hiatal hernia and a newly healed bleeding ulcer. All is good now, I no longer take ferrous sulfate but b12 is still a part of my vitamin regime as well as D3 2000iu a day my D3 was also low at 20. When I get my check ups I also have full labs including D3 and Ferritin. Good luck 🍀 btw way my ferritin is now between 80-100 and I also have hypothyroidism and take levothyroxine 100

[@nektariafilh2097]

My mom has hashimoto she takes medicine but while her hematocrit is 42.5 her ferritin is 31 could this be the reason also she takes anti acids for years due to hernia..can someone help

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Nektaria, the antacid medication she's taking can make it more difficult for people to absorb iron. Ferritin of 31 is on the low end, but we'd want to look at the full iron panel to have the best understanding of what is going on. If her doctor thinks it would make sense, she could trial iron for a few months and see if it helps with her symptoms, while tracking the lab values. Hope this helps!

[@nektariafilh2097]

@@DrBradBodle I’m confused 😐 her doctor said her ferritin is fine 🙄she also has antral gastritis

[@DrBradBodle]

@@nektariafilh2097 The normal range for ferritin is 15-150, but the research is fairly strong in that less than 50 can contribute to symptoms. Lab are averages and not based on healthy physiology.

[@nektariafilh2097]

@@DrBradBodle I wonder if the Antral gastritis and hiatal hernia can do this plus hemorrhoids she has

[@DrBradBodle]

@@nektariafilh2097 Yes, those all have the ability to contribute to iron challenges.

[@davidmcgregory605]

my ferritin levels is a 3

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi David, that could be a huge problem. I would make sure to get a thorough workup from your doc to figure out why this is happening.

[@itsme-gn2vg]

My ferritin level is at 15.6 which is way low for a guy. I take levothyroxine, my thyroid is at normal level but Iron is... ughhh

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Steve, yep, I agree with you! That's way too low. I like my male patients to have ferritin of at least 100. If you're already taking iron there could some underlying issue that is preventing absorption, which you might need to get figured out. Iron infusions are also a possibility if you're really struggling. Hope you can start feeling better soon!

[@flext3012]

@@DrBradBodle hi Dr my ferratin is at 40 but hemoglobin and Hematocrit are on high normal end as well as my RBC on high normal end. Could I benefit with an iron supplement to bring up Ferratin..I'm also on 140mg TRT weekly..Thank u Dr

[@rickhobby4180]

@@flext3012trt lowers hepcidin which tanks for ferritin and iron levels . Look up Vorck ferritin protocol.

[@eatsimple4166]

Hello sir .I wanted to ask you something g from you ,can u do reply to my question.i have been suffering with vry low ferritin like 12 n in previous years like 6yees back I had h pylori infection I took antibiotic from that time to this time I had vry low farttin but here I wanted to u tel that I have hypothyroid dignoise 5 months back n cause v so pain ,anything which am eating not absorbing I hv issue if gas n bloting .I did many test only came this thyporid n low iron n low b 12 n d also n many more nutrients .Does hypothyroid cause also low farttin.does any enzymes deficiencies cause lack of iron or low probiotic or probiotic .Plz do reply .

[@eatsimple4166]

N am a girl of 27 unmarried

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi there! Yes, hypothyroid can contribute to low iron absorption because it decreases the production of acid in the stomach. If we don't have enough stomach acid, then we can't liberate iron from our food and therefore have a tough time absorbing it into the system. Trying some things like apple cider vinegar or digestive enzymes before meals could be a great place to start, while also trying to reduce any foods you might be sensitive to. It could be a good idea to use things like probiotics to help reset the gut environment, but that would be something I would test after making these initial changes. Of course, you'll also want to continue with your nutrient supplementation to try to improve those levels. If you have any questions about specific supplementation, either send me an email at [e-mail] or send me a message on Instagram. Hope this helps!

[@eatsimple4166]

@@DrBradBodle Thank you sooo much doctor Brad .U r so amazing n doing so good work to helping needy people .May God bless you .Many doctor didn't tell me or us in details .Just give some medicine.thats it .I will mail you to ask some thing more .Thank u once again .

[@DrBradBodle]

@@eatsimple4166 You're welcome! Happy to help and I'm looking forward to receiving your message! Have a great day :)

[@eatsimple4166]

Thank doctor for reply my msg .i 'll mail you my report of low iron hypothyroidism

[@maryjaneocl]

Can you please explain what Low Ferritin on ICE means. This was written on my recent endoscopy report but I can't find anything that explains it. I'm waiting to hear from my consultant but this worries me a bit. I like to try and understand what things mean and how it works etc . Thank you so much for any feedback.

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Mary Jane! I'm really sorry I can't be more helpful, but I have no idea what that is referring to. I did a little Googling and poking around to try and get a better idea, but wasn't able to come up with anything. If you are able to find out from your consultation, I'd love to learn along with you and maybe we discuss more about how to respond. Sorry again! Hope you're having a nice day and thanks for reaching out!

[@maryjaneocl]

Dr. Brad BodleThank you for replying. I did the same but also came up with nothing very helpful. I will let you know when I speak to my consultant which I hope will be quite soon ! I am almost 69 and I was wondering why at this stage in my life should my ferritin levels be low. I have always had an extremely healthy diet and do not eat processed or junk foods. Not even biscuits ! If I can make it then I don't eat it :)

[@maryjaneocl]

Dr. Brad Bodle PS. I do have a few conditions ie Trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia, Polymyalgia Rheumatica GCA and that's enough for now :) but maybe these conditions are related to the low Ferritin ? Thank you .

[@DrBradBodle]

@@maryjaneocl Hi Mary Jane, happy to respond :) With the conditions you listed and your age, my guess would be that the low iron is due to malabsorption. As we age our ability to produce stomach acid becomes diminished, which is important for iron absorption. Additionally, inflammation can impair that process as well. Lastly, it's possible it could have occurred over a long period of time, which would mean that you might just need to supplement for a period of time, get your levels back up and you'd be good to go!

[@maryjaneocl]

Dr. Brad Bodle Ok do you might think I am crazy or totally stupid. In the sentence the doctor used the word "ON" ICE should have read IN ICE ....it actually means In Case Of Emergencies he took some biopsies ( on his report it said IN ice ) I am now on medication to raise my ferritin levels. I do want to ask you if this runs in families as I've just found out that the females in my family have the same condition , my mother was the same. Thank you very much for replying .

[@katiewhitney8499]

Hi Dr. Brad what is an ideal number for ferritin. When my level was 20 I had extreme symptoms. I got it to 34 and was doing better. I switched to a prenatal with plant based iron and after two periods I started to have more symptoms again. I have switched back to a different iron and after a month I'm starting to feel better again. I don't know if it fell for sure but all the symptoms started coming back. Is the right amount over 50 or does it depend on the person?

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi Katie, it definitely depends on the person and sometimes the lower someone's levels, the more dramatic the change when they improve, even if it's not technically "optimal" yet. I like to shoot for 50 because I think it gives more of a buffer to deal with the natural drop that occurs with menstruation. If we can get it above 50 and maintain it there, it's usually a good sign that things are going well. As with anything else, we don't want to "force" something just to make the numbers work. Hopefully that helps to give you some perspective! Let me know I can help with anything else. Hope you're having a nice day 😊

[@katiewhitney8499]

@@DrBradBodle Hi Dr Brad sorry one more question once you get your ferritin to 50 what is a good maintenance dose of iron when you have heavier periods.

[@DrBradBodle]

@@katiewhitney8499 Hi Katie, no worries! Happy to help clarify things for you. Usually it's 25 mg, but I've had some of my patients continue with 50 mg if the periods are significant. The key here is to continue to track things with your labs so you can adjust the dosage as needed. After awhile, you'll get down a pattern and know what amounts are best.

[@katiewhitney8499]

@@DrBradBodle thank you so much, I appreciate you.

[@DrBradBodle]

@@katiewhitney8499 Of course! You're so welcome!

[@eatsimple4166]

Then can you tell me what is the best level of farttin level for women like more than 200 level n what is the good level of serum iron level .I took iron infusion of 500 mg or 10 ml injection nut little bit waiste during the producer coz iv set is damage .Can I take one more injection .If my level is getting is 100.i hv report can I mail u

[@DrBradBodle]

Good morning! The normal lab range for ferritin is 15-150. The research has demonstrated that for premenopausal women it may be more beneficial to be between 50-150. If levels start to get above 150, then it can reflect either iron overload or inflammation. We need to look at serum iron, iron saturation, and TIBC to determine which it is. Yes you can email me if you'd like!

[@eatsimple4166]

@@DrBradBodle thank you doctor Brad

[@DrBradBodle]

@@eatsimple4166 You're welcome!

[@CarisaRae]

❤❤❤❤

[@DrBradBodle]

Thanks so much! I hope the information was helpful :)

[@redmanmr2]

Why only women why not mention men?

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi there! Men can also develop low ferritin and the same rules apply (albeit men usually require higher iron levels than women). The reason I focused on women in this video is because they are more likely to develop low iron problems due to pregnancy and menstruation. Thanks for reaching out! Let me know if there's anything else I can answer regarding men and iron status. Have a great rest of your day :)

[@seankearney730]

What is an optimal ferritin level for males?

[@flext3012]

Dr 46 male here been feelin off balanced Ferratin is at 35 hemoglobin at 17 rbc normal high end ..iron saturation at 26% total iron at 102 and total binding at 380 is it worth takin iron to boost my ferratin??

[@DrBradBodle]

Hi! Obviously I don't know the whole story here, but I would definitely want to figure out what is going on with that ferritin value. For men, I usually like ferritin to be at 100 or above. Hope this helps!

[@flext3012]

@@DrBradBodle so would it b ok I supplement with iron

[@DrBradBodle]

@@flext3012 I can't give you advice on what supplements you should take without knowing your health history, which is why I try to provide enough info to help you understand what situations it is appropriate for. I would have a chat with your doctor and see if adding iron makes sense. To be transparent, if there's ever a situation where we're unsure due to the presence of inflammation, doing a short trial period of 2-4 weeks with iron is usually enough to determine if it's helpful without causing any negative side effects if it isn't what you need.

[@Mystomach]

Great Video thanks. Will look for organ meat and red meat