Ferritin extremely low!!?

Question

My ferritin has came back at a 3.2, normal is 11.0-306.8 according to the lab papers. My total iron is a 14, normal is 30-160, and my total saturation is 4, normal is 15-15. My hemoglobin is 10.8 low, and hematocrit is a 32.6 low. I feel horrible all the time, I'm tired, headaches, no periods, feel like i'm going to pass out, lethargic, heart palpitations, etc... I thought with my ferritin levels being so low my doctor would do something but he has not. Should I request that I be reffered to a hematologist? What do these labs mean?

Answer 1

Your Dr. should discuss your labs with you.  You should call his office immediately or take your labs to another physician.  I recently had low ferritin and was put on large amounts of a new iron medication.  You should also have other tests to discover if you are having blood loss going on somewhere.  Do you have any stomach problems?  You may need a colonoscopy and endoscopy to see if you are losing blood in those areas.  Just make sure you get the labs to a Dr. and possibly have a repeat blood test.

Answer 2

Yes definitely get a new doctor, and take supplements on your own if your doc won't do anything.  Go to the pharmacy and get some iron and vitamins.  Don't ignore it, someone will do something, I personally would call up your doc and tell him he needs to do something!