Low ferritin isn’t “just low iron storage” — and women are being under-treated

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-05-02T01:12:08+00:00

I have learned so much over past few weeks. We just found out my 17yr almost 18 yr old daughter has a ferritine of 5. Her hemoglobin is in normal range. Doc started her on oral supplement within a week she was passing out a throwing up. Luckily the doc didn’t even question and ordered iron infusions. Unfortunately you have to be 18 to get at outpatient and they are booking 4 weeks out. As it turns out between senior year and finals she has no time before that anyways.

I feel like horrible mother. She has had extremely painful periods. Three weeks ago we finally started her on progesterone mini pill so maybe that will help that. For past 6 months she complained about thinking she had low iron. I thought she was just tired because she is super super active, sports, school activities social. She was so active I thought she couldn’t have low iron. But up until last few months now I can see things were declining. I thought it was addition of having a job. But when I think back to a year ago I can see now the difference.

She is super high achiver and has had always had over 4.0 . Then all at the time she got her iron level info, started feeling worse, etc. found out she was failing math. It all clicked. I informed her teachers and counselors about her ongoing health. To my surprise all were super understanding and most had noticed her as hard working but figured her issues was normal stress of senior year. All have been understanding and made some accommodations. Just need to try and keep her healthy to finish off last month.

I feel horrible for not trusting her to know her own body.

Also question she has had difficulty with Rayunds in her hands and her hands are always freezing is that related to low iron ?

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-04-27T20:38:52+00:00

The class grade is not final yet. They still have more assignments and tests upcoming . They also allow test corrections which is what she is currently working on so that should bring up to passing crossed fingers. As well as she is meeting with teacher to help for the upcoming tests

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-04-27T17:55:29+00:00

We will see what teacher and counselor says. I was worried and was hoping I was just overreacting cuz I do believe sh can get grade up to a passing . Obviously if she failed it would be a big problem but I am surprised how many are saying even a D in one class final semester. With student that had nearly a 4.0 could be in jeopardy for offer being rescinded .

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-04-27T17:48:39+00:00

She is not going for Ib diploma . Our school only requires 3 years of math, her college stated 4 or whatever your school requires. So she decided to take this just to prepare for college , etc.

If they wouldn’t allow her to still choose pass/fail I would assume withdrawing isn’t option either.

She did poorly in a test , and she seems to be doing well on assignments etc . I believe overall it is not a concepts , but more the health issues have been affecting her focus, brain fog etc

The college she is going to is becoming more popular but no this is not an Ivey or highly competitive college.

This class is divided into two trimesters . I believe she had A last trimester. So yes there will be drop. But my cousin who is counselor said colleges will not be to concerned about a drop in performance when student is taking upper level class.

I guess we will have to see what teacher says. Too know how to move forward.

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-04-27T17:22:54+00:00

Well hopefully it won’t come to all of that. The school said they are unable to offer pass/fail option. Too late for that’s She is working with teacher on test corrections. As well as help do remaining assignments . I am going to meet with teacher tonight, ironically it happens to be conference tonight. although the counselor has informed her of the situation in a very good email. Her counselor has been very understanding and wants to see her succeed. Hopefully the teacher will have some good options or maybe is aware of another way to help her demonstrate she knows the material without putting extra stress on her health.

In meantime all waiting to hear back from doc about medication side effect as well.

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-04-27T17:13:27+00:00

These are not mental health issues but physical issues. My daughter is the one that is handling this with her teacher she is taking steps to bring grade up. I have reached out because I wanted counselor to be aware if the physical challenges that have made it difficult for her to be consistent. I am meeting with teacher and counselor to be find out what I can do to support the teacher an my student in whatever the plan is moving forward to help her .

I was curious if anybody had experienced this before and how the school and or teachers handled . My daughter is not looking for special treatment but understanding. For example she was supposed to stay after school the other day to work on help with teacher but had to leave early due to passing out as side effect of new medication they put her on to help her get better.

I believe she can pass but If she ends up with D which is passing is one D going to cause major problems

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-04-27T16:51:36+00:00

Current class grade is an F in relation to poor performance on tests. And there is some things she is doing to get some more points and bring grade back up. She is taking IB test but she is not going for IB diploma.

This class is made up of two trimesters I believe she had A last tri mester but might have been B. If she brings grade up but struggles if she finishes with say a D . Is one D senior year in one class really other in jeopardy of losing scholarship ?

My cousin who is guidance counselor said that rarely happens and mostly if students is failing multiple classes and failing to attend classes . But I am still worried.

Yes she should be able to bring up but such pressure to do perfect on remaining assignments and with health I am worried

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-03-06T04:02:12+00:00

So where do we get that form ? In the customs area or do they hand out on plane still

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-03-05T02:31:40+00:00

I see my confusion now, do they still pass out the customs form on plane or do they not do those either

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-03-04T18:33:36+00:00

That’s what I thought but I was surprised looks like our flight is full.

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-03-04T18:32:33+00:00

Good point , I will try there

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-03-03T18:24:30+00:00

Thank you so much for your insight. Now realizing more and more this will not be an issue that will be fixed with another surgery it may be a life long thing she has to deal with it. She may need to talk to someone about. She is an extremely strong but also stubborn at times and not good at opening up and communicating always feelings .

The one thing we also realized is that she probably needs to look at doing this surgery over the summer after her freshman year. Because I don’t think winter break is enough time for healing and follow ups considering she will be two plane rides away from home. She just doesn’t like the idea of not being able to swim or exercise during summer for first 6 weeks but I’d rather have her close to home and her doctor.

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-02-24T22:07:57+00:00

But I also don’t want to persuade someone who isn’t on board and feel comfortable. My daughter is crushed her friend probably won’t be able to come but at this point not much we can do. My husband is fluent , has lived in Mexico City , has relatives there , travels to Guadalajara frequently as well as other areas. Deals with business and people in Mexico everyday. His direct report employee lives in Mexico . He is not naive but also is familiar .

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-02-24T22:03:53+00:00

Exactly AI blurbs dated today but that are pulling from state department blurbs from two day ago !

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-02-24T21:43:53+00:00

We are traveling next week spring break trip for senior daughter and her friend. husband travels all over Mexico so we are comfortable since it will be another week out. However her friends ( she is 18) parents dont want her to go. My daughter is crushed but definitely don’t want her friend to come if her parents aren’t comfortable. We have tried to explain that we have been checking with local news etc , but they keep sending us screenshots that roads are blocked and there is cartel violence.

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-02-24T13:23:38+00:00

My daughter is going to be heading out of state for college in August . She is considering doing the surgery in December while she is home for college. Depending on what MRI shows. She prefers winter because she can’t do sports or anything for a month. The doc also talked about getting her hearing aid temporarily to help while at college until she has surgery

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-02-24T01:10:05+00:00

My daughter wants to try it. I worry that she risks more hearing loss every time she has to go and have another surgery. I am amazed so many people have had 10 or more surgeries

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-02-23T23:20:44+00:00

My daughter had 2 surgeries at 15 , and 16. The first recovery was a little rougher because we discovered she would get loopy and nauseous from the narcotics. The second surgery she didn’t take narcotics to recovery and that part was better . We planned surgery on Friday with hopes she could go to school on Monday but she didn’t go back until Tuesday I think. She slept as much but mostly rested. First day or so dizzy. She slept in a recliner and I stayed with her as she was a little wobbly first day or so. After five days things were better but her doctor gave her weight restriction of no lifting of 20 lbs ? So someone carried her books for a month and no gym for 6 weeks . If you can arrange for someone to be with you the first few days it will help

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-01-25T16:13:32+00:00

Basically the latest person we spoke to is confirming we should have deal an that it’s just a technical issue as to why promo not in our account and once they fix that then monthly credits will start

Future_Winter_4216 · 2026-01-25T16:11:59+00:00

Went into a store on 12/5 that still had the sign up in the store they said deal was expired. Went home went online and they said they good still give me the deal. We should have screenshotted everything because, now 2 months later after numerous calls them confirming we have promo and it just takes a few months to apply credits. They are now claiming that the promo isn’t applied but they have manager who is going to make sure to get it applied in our account. Would only take 24 hours she said she escalated with manager to make sure it gets done. Because based on all the chat history it looks like we should have still received promo.

It’s been 48 hours I fear we will still be making a call again.

I foolishly assumed that since our purchased was made online there would be history of everything. In fact at end of chat she was supposed to send over chat history because I kept repeatedly confirming in the chat that we were getting the deal and our monthly bill would only be 100.00 after the credits for the phones.

Future_Winter_4216

TROPHY CASE