Hi, I am new to the forum and I would be very grateful for any advice. I will be 50 in March and I have a low iron level and been taking 3 tablets per day which my doctor prescribed since mid October. After I started taking them, my blood was taken about two and a half months later and although it had gone up, the doctor would have liked to have seen it go up higher (first check before taking the tablets came back at 9 then it was 36 when my blood was taken again start of January). My doctor contacted hematology for advice and they came back to him and said I should cut the iron tablets down to 1 per day and they were not overly concerned because the reading was in the normal range. Unknown to my doctor, I ordered a FIT Bowel test online and got the result back today. The test came back from the lab positive and it was 25, the lady who rang me said that 1-10 is normal and that I have blood in my stool. I contacted my doctor and explained that I had ordered test online (it only cost £29.40). The doctor said he would refer me urgently - he asked if I want to go NHS or private. I asked how long approx the wait would be and he said could be about four weeks. I said I will go private, I am worried sick about what it could be. I have said many times to my doctor that I have read online and heard that low iron is a red flag re cancer. I am glad I ordered the FIT test but I have been worried sick since finding out this morning it came back positive. Other than a very sore lower back (which I have had for years), I do not have any symptoms.
