Ferritin was 10 with extreme symptoms in 2023, went up to 56 and then to 43 December. Hematologist says I am not anemic

So I finally see a hematologist after nearly a decade of having low ferritin values.

Former doctors did not seem to care that ferritin was 17 in 2019 (with textbook anemia symptoms)

They also didn't care when I had anxiety attacks, hair loss, etc, tons of other symptoms in 2023 post surgery, 2024 ferritin was 10.

So 2025 I learn about anemia from this sub. I take iron + vit C + lactoferrin every second day. I raise ferritin to 56, but have symptoms / side effects from the iron itself. You see, apparently iron supplements sensitize NMDA receptors, and since I have glutamate clearance issues from genetic issues, iron was lowering migraine thresholds.

So if I didn't take it, low ferritin also can cause migraine. But if I took it, the iron supp itself could cause migraine.

I finally see the hematologist yesterday and she tells me that basically insurance will not approve an infusion if he is above 12. And that regardless of ferritin, she said some women can have a ferritin of 10 and that is perfectly normal for them.

Considering that going from ferritin level of 10 to 56 completely resolved nearly every issue for me, this is slightly enraging.

Insurance does not tell people they are anemic unless hemoglobin < 12. So as a woman, you could live your whole life with textbook anemia symptoms that no one ever catches because of these dated insurance standards, and rather than upgrading our medical models based on known research for women, doctors hands are tied by insurance companies to prevent women from receiving care. So in other words, I have to continue managing my own treatment of low ferritin with a supplement that lowers migraine threshold. All because it was not taken seriously when I had tingling, panic attacks, etc, in 2023 with a ferritin level of 10.

Women literally have no choice but to wait until they are in a catastrophic circumstance for insurance or doctors to care.

Is that why 'Rant' is a flair in this sub? It would be funny if it wasn't so dark