Doctor knows serum ferritin in Atlanta GA

Literally any doctor can prescribe an iron test, and then any lab will do it. Who got her the previous lab? Just ask them again. Unless it's only been like a month since the last test, they will probably give it to you.

We made pediatrician do ferritin testing and we can get test done but we want to make sure we don't poison her with iron. She was taking about 3 tablets a day for 2 months in fall but now down to one plus multi with iron

As long as she is in the normal range, there should not be anything to worry about. If it is very high, then you should talk with a hematologist.

What do you consider good ferritin level for elite 15yr old girl??? What I have read indicates that 100 is good ferritin level for girl?

What was her initial level, why was she considered low? Understanding and fixing the cause is most important. Different labs have different ranges. 11 can be normal or 100 depending on the units used to measure. You only need to be in a normal range. Being on the higher end of normal isn't really that significant, you hust don't want to be low and if consistently returning to low levels you want to find out why. If her levels were normal but your overbearing concern forced someone to presribe an unnecessary medicine then it likely didn't change much.

Her level was 36 and the range was 6-67ng/ml. The pediatrician was totally unfamiliar with ferritin.

I am not sure what that all means which is why we need doctor familiar with to interpret---

she had all symptoms of iron deficiency with legs giving out, unable to move them in race, time increasing by 2 min in 1 month on same course, etc. sports dietician looked at lab report and suggested iron supplements.

Thoughts?

I deal with ferritin on a daily practice in a subspecialty within pediatrics and regularly prescribe it in oral and iv forms if needed. I dont understand with thay level why it was prescribed. I would look for other causes.

Did she have iron levels or hemoglobin that was low?

Hmm that level isn't exactly low. I wasn't put on iron until I was below 20. I get people are different, but that is in the normal range. Were other causes of her fatigue/increasing times ruled out?

All medical doctors are "familiar" with ferritin as it is a basic blood test. It sounds like you have been doing your own research and either misinterpreting or using bad sources. I'm assuming this is also how you developed the concern about iron poisoning. You should trust the advice of your pediatrician but I have a feeling you'll keep doctor shopping until you find someone that agrees with whatever it is you have already decided to believe.

Most appeared within range--- iron, total was 67 with scale of 27-164 mcg/dl.

We definitely worried that she had overtrained for up to year previous to fall 2016 and she had contracted a bad virus in July 2016 and tried to train through it to the point of having to stop work out in middle of runs which is not characteristic of her. She entered xc tired and complaining that easy runs were not easy.

We wanted to have her tested again and have knowledgeable perso analyze so we can put that off the list.

With those numbers, it's off the list

So----does anyone think 1 iron supplement plus multivitamin with iron per day is harmful?

Also---why on earth would a reputable sports nutritionist recommend up to 3 iron supplements a day for 2 months? And why do reputable college coaches like to see ferritin above 50?

Runner mom wrote:

Most appeared within range--- iron, total was 67 with scale of 27-164 mcg/dl.

We definitely worried that she had overtrained for up to year previous to fall 2016 and she had contracted a bad virus in July 2016 and tried to train through it to the point of having to stop work out in middle of runs which is not characteristic of her. She entered xc tired and complaining that easy runs were not easy.

We wanted to have her tested again and have knowledgeable perso analyze so we can put that off the list.

has she been tested for anything else? low iron could be a symptom vs a cause.

Obviously none of us know the full story do maybe there were other reasons. Is an iron suppllemeny a day dangerous? I am assuming this is prescription grade. Unlikely, but unnecessary if iron levels are normal and any unnecessary prescription medication inherently has some risk. A multivitamin with iron in a teenage female is likely a good idea. We still don't know if her hemoglobin was low. If so, she is anemic. 3 time a day dosing for 2 months is the correct dosing for iron if iron deficient. Often people will initially use iron for 2 months after seeing low hemoglobin even before looking at iron levels, ferritin, TIBC etc. Its the most common cause of anemia. Maube they saw anemia and went that path despite having normal levels. I am making a lot of assumptions here though and obviously her doctors know her best and have the best ability to figure this out. If she is anemic with normal levels I would consider looking for other causes. What was her MCV could play a role. Whats her heritage, hows her diet, is she having really heavy cycles? Low mcv anrmia with normal iron levels could indicate a thalassemia. High mcv could indicate nutritional deficiency like vitamin b12. There are many other causes of anemia

Sorry for spelling mistakes, phone...

Thank you for your insight --- I appreciate it! She is not anemic and not on prescription iron--- it is Hema Plex and teen sport multi with iron. the only issue was if she truly had low ferritin levels and finding a doctor in Atlanta who was knowledgeable about Runner's and ferritin levels.

The pediatrician is basing his assumptions on a normal non athlete child ---not one who runs 35-40 miles a week 11 months a year.

I have read and read all the posts on lets run and other sites and some say 50 is good ---- some say 100----many indicate 35 is low but as you say based on what measurement.

It is all rather confusing but because it affects 60 percent of female runners, I'd like to understand it and her readings---- hence the search for a knowledgeable running doctor.

Thanks again!