Low Iron or Ferritin

[Barbara]

Hi:

I have had anemia and low white cells soon after starting Herceptin. Both are lower about a week after my treatment and then move up some before my next treatment but never into the normal range. Herceptin causes anemia in about 4% of patients and neutropenia in about 3% so I did not think much of it and have refused the Aranesp for my anemia. My internist, however, at my annual exam ran some more detailed tests such as B12, Ferritin, etc. She found that my iron was 3. The normal range is 15-300. She told me that if my iron reached zero my body will not be able to make iron again. Needless to say I am on slow release iron tablets with blood draws every three weeks to see if I improve.

Have any of you had extremely low iron (Ferritin) levels?

Barbara