Important Anemia & Ferritin Info

It doesn't work that way. The liquid iron won't simply "kick in". You need an iron INFUSION, not a blood TRANSFUSION. Two completely different things. Even after an infusion (or a series of infusions depending on your needs), it could be days or even weeks for the symptoms to go away. Please find a hematologist/oncologist. Your surgeon cannot help you - he's a surgeon not an anemia specialist.

Your iron is not normal. The iron numbers are a combination of hemaglobin/hemocrit AND ferritin, where the ferritin is the key as it relates to anemia. As others have already said, you can have normal "iron" levels but a ferritin in the toilet, which means you're anemic.

Thanks, I got a referral for hematologist on Tuesday. Hopefully he will keep better track that the md.

Thanks.

So many PCPs ignore iron/ferritin levels for way too long. In my case, she refused to refer me to a hematologist until my numbers completely tanked. In many places, you can't just make an appointment to see a hematologist; you need a referral.

I would heavily encourage folks to push for a referral if your numbers fall out of range. Many PCPs assume that just taking more oral iron, or a different form, will help. And while it could for some, for most of us, once it drops too low, we can never bring it back up without infusions.

Sorry you had such a hard time with your DR Jen. I'm fortunate that I don't need referrals. Glad you got one for a hematologist.