⁣⁣⁣Iron deficiency anemia is quite common unfortunately.⁣
⁣⁣
⁣It occurs when iron intake and stores are insufficient to support production of the body’s red blood cells, which carry iron-rich proteins known as hemoglobin.⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Hemoglobin is responsible for tissue oxygenation–the delivery of oxygen to tissue.⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Insufficient iron, then, spells disaster, often leading to immense fatigue.⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣In general, excluding hemorrhage, iron deficiency anemia is slow to develop, with a myriad root causes:⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣☑️ Internal bleeding, for example due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or long term aspirin use⁣⁣⁣

⁣☑️ Heavy menstrual bleeding, made worse by low thyroid function⁣⁣⁣

⁣☑️ Malabsorption, for example, in the form of celiac disease or food sensitivities⁣⁣⁣

⁣☑️ Gut dysfunction, such as H. pylori infections leading to hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) which impedes iron absorption⁣⁣⁣

⁣☑️ Pathogens, such as parasites & yeast overgrowth which use up iron stores & block absorption⁣

☑️ Inflammation, such as mercury toxicity which interferes with iron synthesis⁣⁣⁣

⁣☑️ Calcium supplementation or calcium-fortified foods impeding absorption⁣⁣⁣

⁣☑️ Long-distance running & intense frequent exercise⁣

⁣⁣⁣☑️ Lack of iron in diet⁣⁣⁣

⁣☑️ Ingestion of substances which interfere with iron absorption, such as caffeine, antacid medication & dairy⁣⁣⁣

⁣☑️ A genetic mutation limiting iron absorption⁣⁣⁣

⁣☑️ Low ceruloplasmin & bioavailable copper cause the body to store iron in the liver and brain instead⁣

⁣☑️ Some mold mycotoxins can block heme synthesis, a part of our hemoglobin⁣
⁣⁣
⁣The good news is that iron deficiency anemia is reversible when addressing the root cause, and is easily diagnosed.⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣To test, request the following from your practitioner:⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣????Serum Iron⁣⁣⁣
⁣????Ferritin*⁣⁣⁣
⁣????Total iron binding capacity (TIBC)⁣⁣⁣
⁣????Unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC)⁣⁣⁣
⁣????Transferrin saturation percentage⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣*The earliest stage of iron deficiency is the slow depletion of iron stores, or ferritin, so ensure this is included in the panel.⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Next up… how to replenish low iron levels.⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⚠️Low ferritin is the first sign of iron depletion and the precursor to more severe iron deficiency anemia.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Although it is a source of contention, many experts claim optimal ferritin levels are 70-90 ng/ml for menstruating women.⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣In addition to addressing the root cause, replenishing iron stores can potentially entail the following strategies:⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣✔️increasing intake of iron-rich foods⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣✔️iron supplements, or in extreme cases,⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣✔️receiving intravenous iron infusions, all under your physician’s guidance.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣The bioavailability of iron is contingent upon the dietary context.⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
⁣Many common foods, for example, contain compounds which inhibit iron absorption, including:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣???? Tea (oxalates)⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣☕ Coffee (tannins, polyphenols)⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣???? Cocoa (polyphenols)⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣???? Soy (phytate)⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣In addition, eating the following vitamin C-rich foods in tandem with iron-rich foods can help enhance iron absorption:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Bell pepper⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Orange⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Kiwi⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Grapefruit⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Broccoli⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Strawberries⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Brussel Sprouts⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Tomato⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Iron comes in two forms, namely, “heme iron,” found in animals foods , which is absorbed and used much more efficiently than “non-heme iron” found in plant foods. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Above are the foods to incorporate for restoration of normal iron levels, with emphasis placed on animal sources given their superior bioavailability.⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Also helpful are cooking in a high quality cast iron skillet and in some cases taking desiccated liver pills from a high quality source, such as pasture-raised grass-fed cows.⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Timing is also important, as research shows iron taken as a single-dose on alternate days is superior to daily, multi-dose supplementation.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣This is due to hepcidin, an iron-binding protein secreted by the liver.⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣When there is a surge of iron from oral supplementation, the body will produce less hepcidin causing the body to absorb less iron as a protective mechanism.⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣Have you struggled with iron deficiency anemia or low ferritin?

Let me know below in the comments.⁣

Co-written with @empoweredautoimmune ⁣