If you’ve been feeling tired… and not just “end of the day” tired, but bone-deep fatigue, there’s a good chance your body is trying to tell you something. One of the most common—and most overlooked—causes? Iron deficiency anemia. Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense.
What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Think of your red blood cells as delivery trucks. Their job is to carry oxygen to every tissue in your body. Iron is the key component that allows those trucks to function. Without enough iron:
- You make fewer red blood cells
- The ones you make are weaker
- Oxygen delivery drops
And when oxygen drops… energy drops.
Common Symptoms (That Patients Often Ignore)
Iron deficiency doesn’t always show up dramatically—it creeps in. Watch for:
- Fatigue and low stamina
- Brain fog or poor focus
- Shortness of breath with mild activity
- Cold hands and feet
- Headaches
- Hair thinning or brittle nails
- Dizziness when standing
- In kids: irritability, poor attention, or delayed development
- In women: heavy menstrual cycles often play a major role
Why Does Iron Deficiency Happen?
This is where functional medicine shines—we ask why, not just what.
1. Blood Loss (Most Common)
- Heavy menstrual cycles
- GI bleeding (ulcers, polyps, colon issues)
- Frequent blood donation
2. Poor Absorption
Even if intake is adequate, absorption may not be. Causes include:
- Low stomach acid
- Gut inflammation
- Conditions like celiac disease
- Chronic antacid use
3. Increased Demand
- Pregnancy
- Growth in children/teens
- Athletes
4. Low Dietary Intake
- Vegetarian/vegan diets (without proper planning)
- Poor overall nutrition
How Do We Test for It?
A simple “iron level” is not enough. A proper evaluation includes:
- Ferritin (iron storage)
- Serum iron
- TIBC (total iron binding capacity)
- Transferrin saturation
- CBC (hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV)
Key insight:
Ferritin is often the earliest marker to drop. Optimal functional range (not just “normal”):
Ferritin often performs best around 50–100 ng/mL in many patients
A Functional Medicine Approach to Treatment
Here’s where we go beyond “just take iron.”
Step 1: Identify the Cause
- Is it blood loss?
- Gut absorption?
- Inflammation?
If you don’t fix the cause… it keeps coming back.
Step 2: Rebuild Iron Stores
Nutrition First
Focus on:
- Red meat (best absorbed form—heme iron)
- Liver (if tolerated)
- Spinach, lentils, pumpkin seeds (non-heme iron)
Pair with vitamin C to enhance absorption.
Step 3: Smart Supplementation
Not all iron is created equal.
Better tolerated forms:
- Iron bisglycinate
- Heme iron supplements
Avoid taking iron with:
- Calcium
- Coffee/tea
These block absorption.
Step 4: Support the Gut
If the gut isn’t working, iron won’t absorb.
Consider:
- Digestive support (HCl, enzymes if appropriate)
- Addressing inflammation
- Healing the intestinal lining
Step 5: Advanced Options (When Needed)
For more significant cases:
- IV iron therapy (fast repletion)
- Targeted protocols through functional testing
A Clinical Pearl
“I tell patients this all the time— If your body were a fireplace, iron is the oxygen feeding the flame. You can have all the wood in the world…but without oxygen, the fire burns low.”
When Should You Get Checked?
Consider testing if you have:
- Persistent fatigue
- Heavy cycles
- Digestive issues
- History of anemia
- Unexplained hair loss or brain fog
Final Thoughts
Iron deficiency anemia is common—but it’s not “normal.” And more importantly…It’s fixable when you take the time to understand the root cause.
Need Help Getting Answers?
At Bloomberg Chiropractic Center / Fortify IV, we take a deeper look at your labs and your physiology—not just surface numbers.
O: 618-783-2424
web: drbloomberg.com