Lately I have been really struggling health-wise. A month ago I tried to donate blood but because my hemoglobin count was too low they refused to take my blood and they referred me a nurse who then sent me to my GP with a blood test request.

Anyway, I have extremely low ferritin (3)...some of the lowest I've found in my internet searchings and am now on Feramax, a minimal side-effect high dose iron supplement. Incidentally my hemoglobin count was just slightly low (11) so I'm not super "anemic" per se.

Here's the interesting thing and what I am really struggling with right now: What could have caused such a low count? There are so many different causes floating through my foggy brain right now so I thought I'd ask if anyone else has dealt with this as well and if they have any advice? I often wonder if my lifestyle change has caused this though I eat very balanced (just no seafood!).

Some background stuff about me:
-I have endometriosis (or it's suspected by my ob-gyn) so I am on BC continuously and have only 4 light periods a year.
-I eat a very good balance of veggies/fruits/fats/meats.

I am off to see my doctor tomorrow since I feel remarkedly WORSE on these iron supplements than I did off of them and it's only a been a month! (some slight GI issues but anemic symptoms have been amplified...)

Even if no one has advice, I just need someone to comiserate! Due to the nature of the symptoms sometimes I worry it's all in my head...

Here's an example of my diet (I eat extremely low cal for the first half the day because I value and love to have a really lovely sit down dinner):

Breakfast:

-fruit and veg smoothie (1/2 banana, 1/2 cup strawberries, mango + 2 leaves of kale)

Tea:
-2 gingersnaps and a cup of tea

Lunch:
-1 large pepperoni stick or 2 small ones
- chunk of cheese
- 1 cup of carrots and celery and dip
- apple + pb

Dinner:
-Varies but I cycle through through these meals a lot:
-low fat beef stroganoff
-jacket potatos with meaty toppings
-zucchini lasanga
-pulled chicken lettuce wraps
-pizza (at least twice a week! low fat & homemade)

Dessert/snack:
- sugar free homemade pudding
- popcorn (popped in coconut oil)

Can you possibly get a referral to a hematologist? Personally, that's what I would do... It sounds like seeing a specialist would be the logical next step from what you describe... So they could get to the bottom of it....

I have really gone downhill since I posted this. My doctor's appointment the following day was a joke. I couldn't really get a word in edge-wise and left with a suggestion that I take more vitamins (calcium, d3 and b12) and a prescription for anti-depressants. I had a breakdown after that because this is a doctor that I thought I could trust. It took me a very long time to find one that I felt actually cared about what I had to say. I feel so let down and like I really have no one to go to. He didn't even seem interested in finding a reason for the low ferritin. There is a doctor-shortage in my city so finding one that is accepting new patients is a major hurdle.

I feel like I'm falling apart. I'll probably just wallow in self-pity for a good long while.

why don't you try eating more iron rich foods. just remember that the iron in meats is superior to that in veggies for those who are anemic. also, vit b-12 is needed for the body to process iron. you get that in iron rich meats. also, having vit c at the time you eat an iron rich food increases the uptake of iron. just have an orange with a steak, for example. google iron rich foods & lots of info will come up. good luck.

Yes but according to a DNA test-and this is actually accurate about me-I am genetically prone to anemia. I get it a lot. Especially when I am losing weight-so I am taking these iron therapy pills called "Feosol". They help a lot-take a few days though.