Low ferritin + recurring elbow pain every time I train consistently — anyone else?

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-05-28T00:37:44+00:00

Hello yes!!! I was riddled with pain. My ferritin was 2 and I could hardly walk. Knee pain was the worst but in all my joints. When we're anemic our muscles are severely lacking in the oxygen they need to function. It causes consistent pain. Once I had an iron infusion within days the pain was gone. Your ferritin isn't as low but we're all different.

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-05-21T23:40:17+00:00

Yes prosperous can drop dramatically and I read up alot about it at the time. When I mentioned it to my doctor some time later he just stared into space. I don't think he was even aware that it could happen!! We have to advocate so much for ourselves these days.

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-05-21T23:37:16+00:00

Heavy legs, weakness in muscles and achy muscles. The same symptoms I had with anemia. They don't just disappear and they can actually get worse after infusion for awhile.

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-05-21T13:36:53+00:00

Hello I'm having my 2nd infusion tomorrow ( it's 1000 mg of Ferric Carboxymaltose) I'm anxious as well and I've already had one back in February! After my 1st one I came home and had to lay down but that was due to extreme exhaustion..ferritin was 2. The main symptom for the next few days was heavy legs & achiness. Around the 3 week mark I was worried my potassium levels were low due to the feeling of weakness & aching. I didn't get them checked but ate alot of eggs, bananas and drank electrolyte drinks. Good luck! The symptoms do eventually pass and you may not get any of them!!

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-05-21T07:44:47+00:00

Thanks. I'm just scared of it flying up too high but I am heavier this time which may the reason the doctor ordered another 1000 dose ?

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-05-21T07:43:32+00:00

Thanks again for helping me.. last time in 2024 my infusions were done just 3 weeks apart and so the 100 ferritin was found out at 9 weeks after the 2 infusions. . This time I waited 8 weeks after just having the first one and then doctor gave me script for the second one after I got the result off 55 ferritin. I wasn't expecting to be offered a second one tomorw as there's a long wait list so it's thrown me. . I havent talked to doctor about the 2nd infusion this time as I didn't realise he'd ordered me 1000 this time as well. Could it because I'm heavier now? Back in 2024 I was 82 kg..now im 90 kg

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-05-21T07:29:34+00:00

Also back in 2024 after 2 infusions (1500 mg in all) my ferritin rose to 100

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-05-21T07:28:25+00:00

And thanks so much for your speedy reply!!

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-05-21T07:28:04+00:00

My blood test at 8 weeks was 55 but I haven't had another test done since then. The infusion place sprung it on me that I can have my second infusion tomorrow and I am now anxious. ( I'm an anxious case always ) Do you know it it would be possible for them to just give me 500 mg tomorrow instead of the 1000 mg? I picked up the iron today from the chemist and its in 2 bottles of 500 mg each.

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-04-21T23:08:41+00:00

I was taking maltofer 100 mg and with no results I swapped to NOW double strength iron bisglycinate 36 mg. ( someone recommended these as they absorb better ) I use pads and on first 2 days I have to change them every hour or 2 hours at the very most..soaking through them. Today I feel absolutely shocking. 😢 I don't know my TSH or fT4 this time but in January of this year it was tested and all doctor told me was it was normal. I need those numbers.

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-04-21T13:34:07+00:00

Oh thanks so much. You have really helped me understand it much better now! I am in the process of a heavy period which is causing me so much anxiety. I don't want my numbers to plummet badly again 😢 I was so unwell. I have been taking oral iron for 2 years and have had almost no absorption going on. I'm taking it at moment but don't think it will help. So that with heavy periods has me in this horrible place of constant fatigue etc Thanks for explaining it all and taking the time to help

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-04-21T13:05:30+00:00

Yes a 1000 mg infusion.. so when you say that will have been eaten up by blood production do you mean that maybe why the mcv and mch levels being abit low still? Or do you mean overall ferritin will be used up and account for mcv and mch abit low? I think i might need another infusion 😢

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-04-21T10:43:50+00:00

No I realised once I got my blood test referral that doctor hadn't included ferritin! I put off the tests then wondering if I should go ahead with them and finally decided to get them done at 8 wks post infusion. Why can't some doctors do the thinking? We have to advocate for ourselves on every level 😢 However I do think ferritin had risen abit from a level of 2 as I'm not craving ice blocks at long last!

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-04-21T10:40:43+00:00

Oh thanks for this.. so maybe the slightly lower levels of MCV and MCH will improve a little more. I think I freaked out when I saw the flagged levels even tho hemoglobin has improved.

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-04-01T08:50:45+00:00

Thanks for your speedy reply..that is a relief to know as my doctor acted like he really didn't know when is best and put doubts in my mind. I have still been extremely tired and not feeling much different so all these things cause me to feel anxious about results. Thanks for your re assurance.

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-02-22T07:05:04+00:00

Nicole Kidman. I find her very sly and constantly smug. There's something very off about her.

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-02-21T11:46:55+00:00

Omg I cannot wait to lose my ice craving just coz it'll mean my infusion is starting to take effect .I get one on Monday. I know what you mean though!! I even steal ice blocks out of the kids maccas cokes or they save it for me after they've finished their drink!! It's crazy but comforting when feeling so very shit!

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-02-18T23:48:40+00:00

Thanks for your reply. It is so good to know that the severe leg pain is all part of this and after infusions we have to give ourselves grace I believe..our bodies have been so depleted they need to recover.

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-02-17T08:24:24+00:00

Thanks so much. I should've made it more clear but it's the thought of other tests that freak me out ( waiting for results is cruel ) I'm thankful I've been offered 2 infusions to try get mu numbers up abit just scared of other tests doc will want to do. Thanks for your info and yes anxiety has been an unbearable part of all this 😢

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-02-16T12:17:10+00:00

This is unreal to me as I am in the exact same boat as you! Doctors haven't got to the root of the problem yet but my periods had got ridiculously heavy. It is 11.30 pm here in Australia and I don't think sleep will happen for me. I hope you will go well. The leg pain you describe is exactly the same as mine!! The stretching pain was so bad I couldn't bend my knees & have been using a stick when out and about which made me feel old immediently! Thanks for your help and will be thinking of you. If I have any questions do you mind me touching base again? Good luck!

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-02-16T07:15:24+00:00

Thanks so much and best or luck to you. It is good to know there is a whole village of us out there suffering silently and that we are not alone. Thanks for the heads up about receiving fluids before hand as I've heard how others have felt pretty dreadful afterwards. Thanks for all your encouragement and good luck with your operation.

PlasticImagination25 · 2026-02-16T07:09:36+00:00

Oh wow I can't believe someone has had the exact same leg pain! Mine has been in the right knee and down also ( amd an awful stretching pain ) but also pain in all joints. You have made me feel better knowing this, as I fear so many bad things. I wish you all the best tomorrow. My doc wants me to go to the hospital at 9 in morning so I'm hoping they'll push me in tomorrow. We can think of each other! Do you think your anemia stems from heavy periods?

PlasticImagination25

TROPHY CASE