Download FREE Practo app
Get ₹200 HealthCash
Low ferritin level but normal hb
Hello I recently had very heavy period..
So my gynec told me to take blood test...I am feeling weak and severe hair loss..
my hb level is 12.5
Rbc-4.5
Serum iron -82
Total iron binding capacity -378
Unsaturated iron binding capacity -296
Tranferrin saturation -21
My ferritin level -35
Vitamin D-17
Should I need to take iron supplement because my ferritin is low... previously it was 82
Answers (21)
Get your queries answered instantly with Care AI FREE
20000+ health queries resolved in last month
I totally understand your concern. Before suggesting treatment, I would like to ask a few questions to ensure the correct management can be provided.
Contact me on Practo or WhatsApp chat.
92469306sevenfour
Dr. Harichandana,
MBBS, MD (General medicine)
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Didn't find the answer you are looking for?
Talk to experienced doctor online and get your health questions answered in just 5 minutes.
+143
Taking iron wud be good if count is low.take a peripheral smear test tooo..electrophoresis if needed.if reports are normal no need of anything.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Kindly Consult
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
If you want to discuss your problem in more detail, feel free to message me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine for a detailed free discussion
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
take tablet xamic once daily for a week
if persistent heavy menstrual bleed then better to take a review consultation
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
This is what we call as latent iron deficiency and focus on treating the cause first which might be menstrual bleeding or nutritional insufficiency or poor iron absorption which might be because if occult parasitic infection
Also check your thyroid function status
Get yourself evaluated for abnormal menstrual bleed and then proceed with deworming with Ivermectin and albendazole.
Focus on green leafy vegetables, chickpea, jaggery ans pistachios
Supplement yourself with VitaminD
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Yes start cap haem up daily once for next three months
Iron rich food
Consult gynaecologist get treated for heavy bleed
Get an usg abdomen and pelvis
Take pause mf for heavy bleed
Consult online will guide you further
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hb normal (12.5) but ferritin 35 so iron stores are low.
Likely due to recent heavy periods
Hair fall and weakness can occur even with normal Hb
Rx:
Yes, iron supplementation is needed
Take oral iron for 8–12 weeks
Treat cause of heavy bleeding with gynecologist
Also correct Vitamin D deficiency
You can consult with me via Practo for dosage guidance.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Please share your lab report
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Treatment of heavy period is very important first.
Syr haem up 10 ml after dinner for two months. Change of stool color is normal with this medicine.
Uprise d60k once a week for eight weeks followed by one per month for six months a complete therapy by WHO for vit d3.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Need to treat the cause of heavy periods to prevent further iron loss , need few more details regarding it
You don’t have anemia, but you do have depleted iron stores + vitamin D deficiency, both of which can explain your weakness and hair loss. Supplements will help.for vitamin D more than capsules sachets will help
Next Steps
Kindly consult me on Practo
Health Tips
Iron rich food
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Your hemoglobin (12.5 g/dL) and RBC (4.5 million/µL) are within normal ranges, indicating no overt anemia. However, your ferritin has dropped from 82 to 35 ng/mL, which suggests depleting iron stores, potentially contributing to your weakness and hair loss. Serum iron (82 µg/dL) and transferrin saturation (21%) are acceptable, but the elevated TIBC (378 µg/dL) supports low iron reserves. Your vitamin D (17 ng/mL) is deficient, which could worsen fatigue and hair issues. Iron supplementation may be beneficial to replenish stores, but let’s confirm no underlying issues first.
Next Steps
I recommend starting a low-dose iron supplement (e.g., 18-65 mg elemental iron daily) with vitamin C to aid absorption, while monitoring for side effects like constipation. We’ll recheck ferritin and CBC in 4-6 weeks. For vitamin D, begin 1,000-2,000 IU daily and retest in 3 months. If heavy periods persist, we may explore hormonal options or further tests for causes like fibroids.
Health Tips
Incorporate iron-rich foods like spinach, lentils, red meat, and fortified cereals into your diet. Avoid tea/coffee with meals as they hinder iron absorption. For hair loss, gentle scalp care and biotin-rich foods (eggs, nuts) may help, but address the root cause first. Stay hydrated and rest to combat weakness—contact me if symptoms worsen.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Need few more details for proper understanding of your issue.
You can consult with me online on Practo or whatsapp on eight three one eight four six nine eight eight six for proper diagnosis, conclusion and management
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
This condition is called iron deficiency without anemia, and it can cause hair loss, fatigue, and weakness.Vitamin D 17 ng/mL is deficient. You need both iron supplements and vitamin d3 also. Please consult me on practo for further management and evaluation.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Sanskriti
General Physician
4 yrs exp
New Delhi
Your hemoglobin is normal, but your ferritin has clearly dropped, which means your iron stores are low. After heavy periods, this is quite common. Low ferritin can definitely cause weakness and hair fall, even when Hb looks okay.
Next Steps
Yes, you should start iron supplementation to rebuild iron stores, along with treatment for heavy periods. Vitamin D is also low and needs correction. A short consultation will help decide the right dose and duration.
Health Tips
Don’t wait for Hb to fall before treating—hair loss and fatigue happen earlier. Iron stores take time to recover.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Uprise d3 capsule once a week for 12 weeks
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Krishna Kumar Singh
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Lucknow
Start iron folic acid tablets
Tab Livogen Z after 30 minitus of food once a day
Also start
Cap Vitamin d3 uprise 60k weekly for 8 weeks
Next Steps
also start sun bathing in the morning for at list 10 minuts for better recovery
Health Tips
connect on practo with reports
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Rachna Pande
Internal Medicine
42 yrs exp
Bhopal
Correct the cause first.
Take tab pause one every 6 to 8 hours to stop heavy bleeding, consult gynecologist for treatment.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Practitioner
7 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Ravi Kumar Nadella
General Physician
18 yrs exp
Hyderabad
Yes
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Articles you may like
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The question asked on this page is a free question. You can ask a free health question by downloading the Practo app.
Articles you may like
Tell us what's troubling you
Tell us what's troubling you
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.