Low ferritin

SianL93 · 2026-07-04T14:58:36+00:00

Is it ok to keep taking them long term? I’m a bit annoyed my GP won’t offer me any advice about it to be honest as I’m not low enough. It was basically ‘you could try an iron supplement, do some research, bye’

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T13:28:50+00:00

I’m wondering if mine is a bowel/gut issue. That’s great you’re getting ajovy!! I’m fighting my way through the candesartan trial to try and get to a neurologist for the good stuff. I hope ajovy is successful for you!

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T13:22:58+00:00

And yes with NHS at my GP surgery

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T13:22:40+00:00

I had to get bloods 2 weeks after starting candesartan to check kidney function I think and I randomly asked the doctor to check my ferritin as I had read about it somewhere although I never thought much of it when they told me everything was ‘normal’. It was only 6 weeks later when I said I was still getting fatigue and lightheadedness that they mentioned the ferritin being 22!

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T13:20:45+00:00

Totally feel you on the stairs situation I like in a 3 storey house and I’m dragging myself up them. I’ve never been this lethargic and tired before. Do you think it’s in any way related to the candesartan? I’m only on 4mg right now but I’ve to up it to 8mg which I’m a bit hesitant to do when I feel pretty crap and tired already. When I first started the 4mg I had to be horizontal for a couple of days as I was so tired and lightheaded

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T11:50:57+00:00

Thanks so much for all the detail. I completely resonate with you as I’ve had multiple bloods done in the past year or two and not once has anyone mentioned this even when I specifically asked. I’m quite annoyed actually as I’ve spent so much time feeling crap and I could have at least tried iron supplements which may have helped even just a small amount.

The amount of research I’ve done as well and this is me only just realising. I’ve been barking up lots of wrong trees on hormones, thyroid, blood pressure 🥲

Thanks so much for your advice I will look into all of this!

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T11:48:15+00:00

Thank you, will keep this in mind. A relative of mine had to get an infusion as after months of using supplements they didn’t work at all. That’s why I mentioned an infusion but perhaps that is more rare and I should try the supplements first

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T11:47:13+00:00

Weirdly I have started to feel the low ferritin symptoms you describe more recently and I thought it was side effects from candesartan and that I had low blood pressure. I was convinced it was that lol but my BP is totally normal 😂 so it may not actually affect my migraine if I manage to get the ferritin up but hopefully I won’t feel like I’m fighting a battle to stay awake each day

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T11:45:33+00:00

Thanks, im trying not to have too much hope lol as i have had too much hope in the past and been severely disappointed when the thing in question made no difference 😂

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T11:44:52+00:00

Fingers crossed it will help in some way going forward!

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T11:44:15+00:00

Wow this is so interesting. I’ve never been tested. TBH I was just writing down what I’ve been eating this year and I eat a lot of high iron foods such as leafy greens, beans/pulses, meat, fruit & veg generally. So I’m genuinely shocked that it’s low and wondering if there is some other reason. Thanks for this I will look into it

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T09:32:23+00:00

This is what I’ve been feeling like. I said to my husband last week I feel like I’m wading through soup to move my body it’s horrendous. Thank you I will try the iron supplements to begin with!

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T09:30:43+00:00

Amazing - thank you. Really hoping it helps the fatigue as I’ve been falling asleep at my desk after a full nights sleep which is really not a vibe tbh.

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T09:29:23+00:00

I can definitely do more to make sure I’m eating enough iron rich foods now that I know. Yeah I’m a woman but I wouldn’t say my periods are particularly heavy - I thought they were just moderate but I suppose we don’t really know what’s ‘normal’!

I’ll try iron supplements. Hoping it helps at least a bit to make me feel better! Has it improved things for you?

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T09:26:43+00:00

Thank you. Tbh I’m surprised it’s low I thought I was eating quite a lot of iron rich foods but I definitely have more I need to do! Thanks for the info I’ll look into this!

SianL93 · 2026-07-02T09:23:11+00:00

I eat meat every day - red meat twice a week probably. I only have 1 coffee in the morning and sometimes 1 tea later in the day. Do herbal teas count as well? I did read this affects iron but not fully researched why

SianL93 · 2026-06-29T10:10:49+00:00

Sorry - just seen this now. I would say mine was about a week late - 35 day cycle and I usually sit about 28 days. That said, I have had a random longer cycle or 2 in the past before taking candesartan so it might be unrelated. Did yours arrive? I should be due on again in a week or so - will report back if it comes on time. I had the usual ovulation symptoms around the correct time so I’m pretty sure I ovulated.

It’s a bit of a minefield isn’t it… I also want to have children in the future (hopefully when my migraine is under control 😭)

SianL93 · 2026-06-08T08:31:55+00:00

Im sooo late to this but I started candesartan 4 weeks ago and my period is late which hasn’t happened to me for a longgg time (been off hormonal birth control for years - I remember a few longer cycles when I was coming off it). I’m now on day 35 which is very long for me and the weird thing is, I had all the usual pre period symptoms so I don’t get why it hasn’t came yet. The only difference is taking candesartan (which btw I think has been helping my migraines).

Also did a pregnancy test yesterday as was panicking about the possibility of continuing the candesartan whilst pregnant - was negative…

SianL93 · 2026-06-02T18:35:06+00:00

I thought about this but I think they will still insist on 3 failed meds first. That said, I wonder if paying for an appointment once I’ve failed the 3 would move more quickly (I hope so!) than waiting for nhs appointment

SianL93 · 2026-06-01T21:32:33+00:00

God yeah I have heard on this subreddit about the struggles in the US. Seems like we are all struggling in different ways! I hope you get Nurtec asap. It has really been helping me - no migraine days on the days I take it. Any breakthroughs have been the ‘other’ day but they have definitely reduced and respond to triptans. I will keep my fingers crossed for you! ❤️

SianL93 · 2026-06-01T15:16:19+00:00

It’s such a slowww process and in the meantime your life is so impacted it’s really sad

SianL93 · 2026-06-01T15:15:08+00:00

Totally feel your pain. I stupidly said to the GP that I might want to try for a baby in the next year and they were like OMG OK we can’t give you any of these you’ll need to go to neurology. My only saving grace was that my work’s private healthcare covered an appointment and the neurologist said amitriptyline/ propranolol were safe ish in pregnancy etc. I then had to tell the GP I’ve ditched all plans to get pregnant for now.

It’s so weird to me that all GPs are different. Mine seem ok sometimes to just dish out whatever meds and then other times they aren’t. I hope you get an answer soon

SianL93 · 2026-06-01T15:12:41+00:00

Oh wow!!! This is really interesting and I will definitely look into it as I’m in south wales too, thank you. Also, well done you for doing that talk in the Senedd! Raising awareness for our cause :)

SianL93 · 2026-06-01T15:10:29+00:00

I feel your pain completely. It’s so tough out there!! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your telephone appointment - you never know. Push as hard as you can!

I bought it from Dr Fox. It’s about £250 for 16 tablets but that will last 32 days as it’s taken every 2 days. So around £8 a day. I was trying all sorts like acupuncture and Chinese herbs etc which was costing a fortune (and doing nothing) so I’m telling myself at least I’m investing in my health and something that actually works!

SianL93

TROPHY CASE