Low Ferritin cause for fatigue in in non-anemic women

Hi Carolyn,

RE: Taking a multi w/ iron

I’m not post menopausal so I still have a cycle to consider. But the most significant reason for the iron supplementation is because I also have a ferritin level — mine’s at “30” and needs to be closer to “70”. Ferritin is your “iron store” — it’s where your body goes to get more iron when it needs it. (… at least that’s how I think of it.) You can have low ferritin and not be anemic.

When I became hypothyroid (Hashimotos) one of my earliest symptoms was an unexplained anxiety. I went nearly 10yrs undiagnosed and therefore untreated for my thyroid issues. It wasn’t until I started partcipating in a thyroid forum did I learn about low ferritin levels being associated with anxiety, fatigue, and also making thyroid meds less effective.

Here’s a study that explains:

[url]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=12763985&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_docsum[/url]

I went back and looked at some lab work that I had done at about the time my anxiety (thyroid) problems started — my ferritn level was “11”. And even subsequent tests after that my level never got above “20”. It’s taken me a number of years to get my ferritin level to “40” — and I even take a prescription iron supplement too.

Taking the iron has really made a big difference in my fatigue symptoms. Fatigue is a symptom in hashimotos as well as Sjogren’s — so I was appreciative of the benefit.

RE: Magnesium

Yes… I do take magnesium. I’ve just recently upped my intake and I can notice a difference — particularly with my digestion. I have mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and it’s a necessary nutrient. I hope I see some muscle tension relief benefit too — I get that tight neck muscle aches too. And I also have had some teeth shifting in front! It sure would be cool if they went back because I increased my magnesium.

Thanks for the input Carolyn — I really enjoy hearing / learning from other’s nutritional experiences.

Best wishes…
Jann