Question about Ferritin Level

I'm 11 years post-op. I had my levels checked in February. My ferritin level is 12, but my serum iron is 103. I'm tired all of the time, I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. My hair is falling out and I'm cranky! LOL.... I also have restless legs. Does this all point to low ferritin? I thought I was OK because my serum iron is not real low. Now I'm wondering...

I've never heard of a hair problem from ferritin being low. Everything else you described, absolutely. If it were me, I'd be seeing a hematologist ASAP, asking for iron infusions. This is dangerous. It happens after WLS very frequently. At 11 years, it's a real concern.

Don't delay.

You should also make sure all of your other levels have been checked. If ferritin is that low, something else might be as well, and that could be causing your hair issues.

Do you know if this could also cause swollen ankles?

All of those symptoms are ferritin related. You may need iron infusions to get that number up.

My ferritin hit 13 when I had my first iron infusion and my serum iron was normal. My doctor kept telling me that I was not anemic, but referred me to a hematologist anyway. The hematologist had me in for infusions the day after my initial appointment. She said that people become symptomatic when numbers fall below 50. Now I have infusions when my ferritin is 50 or below. The hematologist's philosophy is to not let anyone's ferritin get so low that they feel miserable.

Your ferritin is dangerously low. Get an appointment with a hematologist ASAP.

Do you know if this could also cause swollen ankles?