It’s absolutely wild to me that guidelines for iron deficiency are just now changing in Ontario. I wish we would see a massive change across the board. The WHO and American Society of Hematology say that a ferritin below 30 is an absolute deficiency but anything below 100 can cause symptoms. And yet, we have labs that give ranges so doctors will say that your ferritin of 20 is fine. This is so easily preventable but there’s complete medical negligence happening on this issue. I’ve been on the iron protocol and getting iron infusions on and off for a year now after years of deficiency because no medical provider would test my ferritin and, if it was tested, just said it was “a little low”. It’s so frustrating knowing just how easily treatable this could have been if it was tested and treated earlier.
Thank you for linking to your Chatelaine piece (and as a Canadian it was nice to see a medical piece rooted in the Canadian context). I’ve been struggling with low iron and have seen some improvements with oral supplements. My diet didn’t need much changing because I already eat all the “right” things. But it feels like an ongoing uphill battle. I’m hoping for some more answers when I get a second opinion next month.
Iron infusions are very effective, but hard to get. If your iron hasn’t budged much with all those changes, you could try asking to see if it’s an option (although it will come with a cost, unless you have insurance!) I hope you get answers!!
I have a kid with wacky brain stuff so if you need another parent to commiserate with, please feel free to reach out. XO (also iron-deficient here so gonna read your piece!)
Information is power, for sure. I've paused my memoir on our story, because our case has somewhat re-opened, and we're waiting on answers, too. AKA the story isn't quite "done" sigh
I find it really hard to write about things when I’m living through them. I usually need some distance so I can process! Thinking of you and your kiddo, and hope you get the answers you need ❤
It’s absolutely wild to me that guidelines for iron deficiency are just now changing in Ontario. I wish we would see a massive change across the board. The WHO and American Society of Hematology say that a ferritin below 30 is an absolute deficiency but anything below 100 can cause symptoms. And yet, we have labs that give ranges so doctors will say that your ferritin of 20 is fine. This is so easily preventable but there’s complete medical negligence happening on this issue. I’ve been on the iron protocol and getting iron infusions on and off for a year now after years of deficiency because no medical provider would test my ferritin and, if it was tested, just said it was “a little low”. It’s so frustrating knowing just how easily treatable this could have been if it was tested and treated earlier.
So frustrating! And even at 30 people can have significant symptoms. It’s less about the numbers and more about treating the individual.
Yes - it’s about believing the symptoms patients report rather than dismiss it off hand because the number on the test looks “fine”.
Thank you for linking to your Chatelaine piece (and as a Canadian it was nice to see a medical piece rooted in the Canadian context). I’ve been struggling with low iron and have seen some improvements with oral supplements. My diet didn’t need much changing because I already eat all the “right” things. But it feels like an ongoing uphill battle. I’m hoping for some more answers when I get a second opinion next month.
Iron infusions are very effective, but hard to get. If your iron hasn’t budged much with all those changes, you could try asking to see if it’s an option (although it will come with a cost, unless you have insurance!) I hope you get answers!!
I have a kid with wacky brain stuff so if you need another parent to commiserate with, please feel free to reach out. XO (also iron-deficient here so gonna read your piece!)
Thank you ❤️❤️🩹 It’s so tough, isn’t it? I hope we get answers at some point because then I’ll at least know what the plan is!
Information is power, for sure. I've paused my memoir on our story, because our case has somewhat re-opened, and we're waiting on answers, too. AKA the story isn't quite "done" sigh
I find it really hard to write about things when I’m living through them. I usually need some distance so I can process! Thinking of you and your kiddo, and hope you get the answers you need ❤