Iron Depletion in Blood related to COVID?

I am a nurse, have no history of anemia and had normal iron/ferritin labs prior to the Pfizer vaccine in June/ July. After my second dose in July, I was extremely tired all the time, I followed up with my healthcare provider who immediately referred me to hematology. My ferritin was 4 and my iron saturation was less than 9%. After two rounds of feraheme, I’m beginning to feel normal again. I 100 % believe it was related to the vaccine since they could find no cause for it and it’s interesting to find others that suddenly have an iron deficiency after the vaccine. I am thankful that I found this site and I will also add that I am extremely reluctant to get the booster knowing that so many of us have had this issue.

Same concern here. My husband has never been anemic, and never low on iron…Until he received the J&J vaccine. He has gotten worse daily and we have despaired of them finding the problem while he is still alive…that is how severe his decline is. He just saw the hematologist and started on iron infusions (once a week for a month). The vaccine was the big difference.

It appears that research indicates NOT getting the vaccine or booster.. if one has iron deficient anemia because it impairs the immune response.

Yes, I am aware of the research…my iron/ ferritin levels were normal prior to the vaccine. They are still not back to normal and unless I’m forced to receive the booster, I won’t be taking it no matter what my lab values are.

I too had the J&J shot. My iron level is 4.7. Receiving IV iron for the next 4 weeks. Already had 5.

So I am also wondering about low iron and the COVID vaccine. I had the 2nd Moderna vaccine in Feb 2021. I felt somewhat weak after the second vaccine. I walk about 4 to 5 miles a day and it was becoming more work to finish the walk as time has gone on. I am 61 and had been walking daily all of 2020 and 2021 about the same distance each day. I had COVID early September of this year. I decided to get my full blood work done since I was still feeling a bit weak after getting over COVID. I had full blood panel done on 10/14. My iron was at 53 which is low for me. I have never had low iron. Now that I am taking iron my strength is coming back quickly. Muscles recover each night after my daily walks. I think the vaccine might be the culprit but I have no way of knowing. Also note I was barely sick with COVID so the vaccine appears to have done it's job for protecting me from a severe illness. Since weakness and exhaustion are a symptom of low iron I believe my iron was probably low a month after my second vaccine. I wanted to post after reading others comments about low iron and the vaccine. I think there might be something to it for sure.

I was hospitalized recently and bloodwork was run. It came back showing my iron was extremely low as well as my red blood cell count. I was vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. My bloodwork taken in July before I was vaccinated showed no issue with my iron level or red blood cell count. I wouldn't be so dismissive of a link between the vaccine and issues with iron and red blood cell levels.

I have never had a problems with my blood or anemia. 2 months after receiving the Pfizer vaccine I went to my primary care Dr. and she had blood tests done. That afternoon I was contacted by her office stating that I needed to go to the emergency room immediately since my hemoglobin count was 5.3. I was admitted and they did an upper GI and colonoscopy and found no bleeding or problems. They gave me iron treatments & 2 transfusions and I was released. After 3 weeks on iron, B12 and folic acid my hemoglobin is 12.2. My brother, who lives 60 miles from me had the same exact experience! I also know of two other individuals with the same drop in hemoglobin after the Pfizer covid vaccine. There has to be some connection.

My mother had an almost identical episode - She had routine bloodwork performed at her wellness check-up with her PCP. She received a phone call the day after her appointment telling her to get to the ER right away and they will be expecting her. They looked for internal bleeding - found none. Because her red count was so low, she had developed a large blood clot and had to be put on blood thinners and was given blood transfusions, B12 etc. She had received her 2nd dose of the vaccine 6 weeks before.

When I was hospitalized for a different issue and my bloodwork came back low hemoglobin - the only new component was the COVID-19 Vaccine from Pfizer. For my mother and myself both to have the same issue when we haven't been together, been exposed to any like substance other than the vaccine, makes me a bit concerned that the vaccine may be harmful to some people.

They possibility that the vaccine is responsible needs to be seriously looked at.

I had the same experience after two Pfizer vaccinations in February and March 2021. I developed extreme fatigue and since I have hypothyroidism, my doctor increased my medication and I felt somewhat better, but the increased dosage tipped me into hyperthyroidism and we had to decrease the dosage. It wasn’t until September 2021 that we drew my iron panel and found my ferritin and iron saturation were really low. I consulted with a hematologist who wanted to order an endoscopy and colonoscopy to rule out internal bleeding. I had a recent stool analysis with no evidence of bleeding so am proceeding with taking an iron supplement for now. My ferritin has increased from 10 to 27 and my hemoglobin is normal. I am hesitant to get a booster and clicked on the link posted above that says we should be iron replete before getting vaccinated. I will definitely wait.