Last week someone asked me this question: “I’m tired all the time and I think I have iron deficiency – should I just try some iron supplements to see if I feel better?”.

The short answer is NO. Iron tablets/supplements should not be taken without first speaking with your health professional. There is many reason why your iron stores may be low, and inadequate intake is only one reason out of many possible causes.

There may be an underlying condition that means you are using up lots of iron. It is important that you speak with a GP to check out if there is excess iron usage or bleeding in the body. Other reasons for low iron is that you aren’t absorbing the iron you are consuming. We need “helper” nutrients Vitamin C, copper and vitamin A for instance. There are many, many reasons why your iron levels may be low.
If you suspect that you are iron deficient, a simple blood test through your health practitioner will be able to determine your iron status. Don’t “self-prescribe” supplementations, contact a Clinical nutritionist for a full assessment.

When you book in for a consultation, I will listen to you. I take your health history, focusing on you as a whole person, assess your current symptoms (and past symptoms) and concerns, make referrals if needed and we will formulate a plan to restore you back to the healthy, happy person you are deserving of. Contact me to book in via emmavmanning@live.com or 0422246231.

Your health will thank you for it.
Emma Manning Clinical Nutritionist.

References.
Gropper, S. S., & Smith, J. L. (2013). Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism (Sixth Edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning
Hechtman, L. (2018). Clinical naturopathic medicine (2nd ed.). London, UK: Elsevier
Huether, S., McCance, K., Brashers, V., & Rote, N. (2008). Understanding pathophysiology (fourth edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier