If you have stumbled across this page while scouring the Internet for information on your shiny new iron issue related diagnosis, welcome! I thought this might be a fun hobby project to work on. Yes, my personal iron issues and subsequent fascination on researching iron related topics has now become a hobby of sorts. I know how terrible I feel if my iron levels are too low, but I have learned to recognize my symptoms and seek treatment. I wonder how many humans are wandering around feeling terrible due to undiagnosed iron issues.
I love to talk about the importance of getting your iron level (especially ferritin level) checked to my friends, family, students, coworkers, really any humans that I encounter that seem to have iron related symptoms. And goodness, that is a wide range of symptoms!
Due to iron issues, I have experienced:
- Extreme fatigue, marathon sleeping, no energy etc.
- Brain fog, lack of concentration
- Faintness, blacking out, head rush sensation
- Increased hair loss
- Heart palpitations/rapid heartbeat especially when napping or waking up
- Depression (relating to no energy and all these other symptoms!)
- Anxiety (waking up to a rapidly beating heart will do that! Flight or fight instinct!)
I can have these symptoms on the extreme end when my Ferritin level is below 20. Symptoms become tolerable in the 20s range. In the 30s+ range, my body is so much happier! That is something I wish everyone knew. You do not need to be anemic to have iron related issues and symptoms. Some doctors test for anemia and overlook ferritin levels. I plan to write another post later on that subject.
Through my 20’s, I had an epic rollercoaster ride with my iron levels with lows, normals and even a high! I feel like I now understand how to manage a healthy iron level at the respectable age of a 30 something-year-old. Now I want to share what I have learned.
Here is what I want you to know right now though. If you have been diagnosed with an iron deficiency of some sort, you might feel awful right now. Maybe you can relate to the symptoms I had or maybe you have it worse than I have had. I am so sorry. Now that you know your iron is low, you can begin recovering! Yay! It takes time though to build your iron level back up. It might take a month or more to begin to feel better. That can be VERY frustrating. It might take less time though too!
If you are like me, I couldn’t tolerate the mega doses of traditional supplements they suggested. I needed to build my levels up slower and gentler (see the methods I used). Please be kind to yourself during this iron rebuilding period of time and have hope that you will feel better in the near future!
Get well soon!
-Ms. Iron Issues
P.S. Make sure you get your blood work done and have a confirmed iron related diagnosis before intentionally increasing your iron intake. First, your body can have TOO much iron in its system if you supplement unnecessarily. This is dangerous! Second, you want to know where your levels are so you can track it. Third, medical professionals can help support you in this journey if you have a confirmed diagnosis.
Iron Issues 