🩸 Feeling Tired All the Time? It Might Be Iron Deficiency Anemia

Do you feel like you’re dragging through the day, no matter how much sleep you get? Are you noticing pale skin, brittle nails, or feeling short of breath after climbing stairs? These might be signs of a busy life or they could be signals from your body that you're low in iron.

Let’s explore what iron deficiency anemia is, why it happens, what to watch for, and how to restore your iron levels naturally and safely.

What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. It happens when your body doesn’t have enough iron to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Without enough hemoglobin, your cells don’t get the oxygen they need to thrive—leaving you feeling weak, fatigued, and foggy.

Common Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia

The early stages can be subtle, but as the deficiency worsens, you may experience:

• ✅ Extreme fatigue or weakness

• ✅ Pale skin

• ✅ Shortness of breath, even with light activity

• ✅ Chest pain or a fast heartbeat

• ✅ Headaches, dizziness, or lightheadedness

• ✅ Cold hands and feet

• ✅ Brittle nails or hair thinning

• ✅ Cravings for ice, dirt, or starch (called pica)

• ✅ Poor appetite (especially in children)

• ✅ Sore or swollen tongue

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, don’t self-diagnose. Ask your provider to check your iron levels and other blood markers before supplementing.

What Causes Iron Deficiency?

There are several root causes of low iron, and identifying the right one is key to lasting recovery:

1. Blood Loss

Losing blood means losing iron. Common sources include:

• Heavy menstrual periods

• GI bleeding (ulcers, hemorrhoids, colon polyps, colorectal cancer)

• Regular use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin

2. Low Iron Intake

If your diet is low in iron-rich foods (especially if you’re vegetarian or vegan), your body may not get enough to meet its needs.

3. Poor Iron Absorption

Even if you eat plenty of iron, conditions like celiac disease, H. pylori infection, or a history of gut surgery can impair absorption.

4. Increased Needs

Pregnant women need significantly more iron to support a growing baby. Without supplements, deficiency is common.

Who’s Most at Risk?

• Women of childbearing age

• Pregnant individuals

• Children (especially picky eaters or those drinking too much milk)

• Vegetarians and vegans

• Frequent blood donors

• Those with chronic GI issues

Why It Matters: The Bigger Health Picture

Untreated iron deficiency can lead to:

• 🫀 Heart issues like rapid heartbeat or even heart failure

• 👶 Pregnancy complications such as low birth weight or premature delivery

• 🧠 Delayed growth, development, or learning problems in children

• 🛡️ Increased risk of infections due to weakened immunity

How to Boost Your Iron Naturally

🍽️ Eat Iron-Rich Foods Daily

Heme iron (best absorbed):

• Red meat, poultry, organ meats (especially liver)

• Oysters and clams

Non-heme iron (plant-based):

• Lentils, beans, tofu

• Spinach, kale, beet greens

• Pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds

• Iron-fortified cereals and grains

🍊 Pair Iron with Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron more effectively. Combine iron-rich foods with:

• Citrus fruits

• Bell peppers

• Strawberries

• Tomatoes

• Broccoli

Example: Pair lentils with lemon juice or spinach with bell peppers for a powerful boost.

What About Iron Supplements?

Iron supplements can be helpful, especially if your levels are very low, but they must be used carefully. Too much iron can be toxic and cause constipation, nausea, or liver damage.

👉 Always test before you treat. Ask your practitioner to assess your full iron panel (not just ferritin or hemoglobin), including:

• Ferritin

• Serum iron

• Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC)

• Transferrin saturation

Functional Wellness Insight: Looking for Root Causes

In my practice, I often ask:

• Are you bleeding more than normal each month?

• Do you have digestive symptoms that may point to malabsorption?

• Are you eating enough iron-rich foods, or avoiding them unintentionally?

• Have you been under stress or chronically inflamed, which can also deplete nutrients?

By identifying and addressing the root cause, we can personalize a plan to restore your iron levels and help you feel energized again—without guesswork.

Gentle Ways to Support Iron Levels

• 🥩 Add grass-fed beef, cooked spinach, and liver into your weekly meals

• 🫐 Include vitamin C-rich produce daily to enhance absorption

• 🧃 Avoid tea and coffee with meals, as they block iron absorption

• 🌿 Consider gentle, practitioner-recommended iron supplements if needed

• 🧪 Don’t forget to retest! You want to track your progress and adjust support accordingly

Iron deficiency anemia is common, but it’s not normal.

If you're dealing with fatigue, brain fog, brittle nails, or unexplained shortness of breath, your body might be signaling an underlying deficiency. The good news? It’s fixable.

With the right testing, targeted nutrition, and a bit of support, you can rebuild your iron stores, restore energy, and feel like yourself again.