Low Ferritin and TTC

[Three Of A Kind]

Hi Ladies,

I had some bloodwork done to check my thyroid and results came back that my thyroid is fine but my ferritin is only 9.3. I have started on a 3 month course of iron tablets. I have put TTC on hold for a while but how long should I wait- the whole 3 months or would a couple of months be ok? Does anybody have any experience of TTC with low ferritin?

I have never had a problem with iron before that I know of but had my last 2 children very close together and went vegetarian about 6 months ago.

I know these are qs for my doctor but he is very unhelpful and basically said if I have 3 children already why would I want another!

It's frustrating as we had finally decided to TTC and now can't.

Any advice welcome!

Thanks

[Georgia_Peach]

My ferritin is only at 10 and I've been told by my RE (fertility specialist) that my blood work isn't a huge concern. I am taking iron supplements to help. Having said that though... we have been ttc for 5 cycles now and are still not pregnant. I don't think you have to put off ttc. Did your dr tell you that?

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[atomic sagebrush]

Are you asking for TTC purposes or for your sway??

I wouldn't wait to TTC for a girl unless my doc had told me to. For TTC a boy I'd only postpone for a month (and probably not even that.) I am always anemic off and on and got my boys that way so it can't sway by very much if at all.

[Three Of A Kind]

Thanks for the reply, it's interesting that your RE didn't think it was an issue. My dr said I should get it to 25 before TTC as would be more prone to anemia in pregnancy if lower than that. He's just a GP though not an RE. I looked it up and a lot of sites say under 50 can cause infertility because of lower egg quality. I'm not sure if that's true though.

[Georgia_Peach]

Thanks for the reply, it's interesting that your RE didn't think it was an issue. My dr said I should get it to 25 before TTC as would be more prone to anemia in pregnancy if lower than that. He's just a GP though not an RE. I looked it up and a lot of sites say under 50 can cause infertility because of lower egg quality. I'm not sure if that's true though.
Hmmmm good to know for sure!! I wasn't aware of it. I wonder if it actually goes up with iron supplements though? I know for me anyway ... low iron/anemia runs in my family. I don't think I've ever been tested before for low iron so I have no way to compare my results now (taking supplements) vs before (not taking them).
Did you dr tell you how much MG to take daily and how long it will take to help?

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[MiaMelb]

I had extremely low iron when I conceived DD1. They didn't pick it up until I was getting bloodwork once pregnant. I seem to remember the comment from the doctor being 'I can't believe you're awake and functioning with those levels'. They were low enough to warrant the genetic testing for poor iron absoption (can't remember the name of the condition sorry) even though I'm not a likely candidate. Having said that the course of action was just to take good quality iron suppliments thoughtout pregnancy and it wasn't a big deal.

[Three Of A Kind]

I'm taking 305mg of ferrous fumarate twice daily and I have to go back in 3 months for another blood test to make sure that it has increased and the tablets are working. Hopefully it will have come up a good bit by then!

[Three Of A Kind]

Thanks, good to know it wasn't a big deal during pregnancy. I was worried it might take a while before being able to TTC again.

[atomic sagebrush]

Thanks for the reply, it's interesting that your RE didn't think it was an issue. My dr said I should get it to 25 before TTC as would be more prone to anemia in pregnancy if lower than that. He's just a GP though not an RE. I looked it up and a lot of sites say under 50 can cause infertility because of lower egg quality. I'm not sure if that's true though.

Some docs like to be really, really proactive thinking "well I'm preventing anemia in pregnancy" which is why he's saying that. A LOT of women are walking around with stores under 50 and getting pregnant just fine.

We're on the right track, we are fixing the problem.