Asking your doctor to do the test might be the breakthrough you need to start feeling normal again – otherwise the root cause could easily go unnoticed
While it’s easy to dismiss being exhausted if you lead a busy life, it’s not normal to always be tired. This could indicate that your body needs more than just a good night’s sleep.
Dr Shireen, a general practitioner in London, recently shared some valuable advice on TikTok. She encourages women who are struggling to find answers to their tiredness concerns to ask one question during their next visit to the doctor if they haven’t already.
She said clarifying test results that might appear ‘normal’ at first can be vital. She said: “Ask your GP, or the reception of your GP, what your ferritin level is.” Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in blood cells and releases it properly throughout the body,reports the Mirror.
The doctor further explained: “When we get the levels back, anything between 13 and 150 is marked as normal. But, really, if you’re feeling tired and you’re having periods and your ferritin is 13, that’s not normal.”
The expert added that this is “probably what’s making you feel tired” and said she would be considering supplements if this were one of her patients. According to her, your ferritin levels “need to be between 60 to 80”.
Dr Shireen added: “A level of 13 will make you feel tired, make your hair dry and fall out, and make your nails brittle. It would have so many effects.” She said that, if your level is less than 30, then you should speak to your GP and see if you should be taking supplements.
The expert added: “Chances are, supplements will make you feel better.” Always consult a medical professional to find what suits you best. If supplements aren’t your cup of tea but you need to increase your ferritin levels, consider incorporating more iron-rich foods to your diet instead.
Foods rich in iron:
- red meat (beef, lamb, mutton, pork, veal, venison)
- beans (such as red kidney beans, edamame beans and chickpeas)
- nuts
- dried fruit (such as dried apricots)
- fortified breakfast cereals
The average woman needs more iron in their system than men or women over 50. On average, those aged 19 to 49 should aim for around 14.8mg a day.
According to the NHS, an iron deficiency can lead to anaemia. if left untreated, iron deficiency anaemia can make you more at risk of illness, infection and greater risk of complications before and after birth if you’re pregnant.
