The overlooked lab value that could explain your symptoms.
Exhausted… Losing Hair.. Brain Fog but your labs are ‘normal”
One of the things that sets Rural Revival apart is that we don't only look for disease. We look for opportunities to help you feel and function better.
One example? Iron stores (aka ferritin).
We routinely screen for low iron stores in our wellness patients because we've seen how much of a difference identifying and treating iron deficiency can make—especially for women.
"But I was told my iron was normal."
This is something we hear all the time.
Many people associate iron deficiency with anemia. But you can have a normal hemoglobin and still have low iron stores.
One of the markers we pay attention to is ferritin.
Ferritin gives us information about the amount of iron your body has stored away. Think of it like your body's iron savings account. Your hemoglobin may still look perfectly acceptable while those reserves are becoming depleted.
And you may already be feeling it.
What can low iron stores feel like?
Low ferritin may contribute to symptoms such as:
Fatigue or low energy
Poor exercise tolerance or reduced stamina
Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
Hair shedding or thinning
Headaches
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Feeling cold frequently
Restless legs
Heart palpitations
Shortness of breath with activity
Poor exercise recovery
Brittle nails
Craving or chewing ice
Of course, these symptoms aren't specific to iron deficiency. Fatigue, hair loss and brain fog can have many different causes—which is exactly why we believe in looking at the bigger picture.
Why are low iron stores so common in women?
Menstrual blood loss is a major contributor, particularly for women with heavy or prolonged periods.
Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding can also deplete iron stores. Other contributors can include frequent blood donation, inadequate dietary iron, restrictive diets, gastrointestinal conditions, poor absorption and other sources of blood loss.
That's why our goal isn't simply to tell someone to "take some iron."
We want to understand why it's low in the first place.
How do we treat low iron stores?
Treatment depends on your symptoms, laboratory results, medical history and the underlying cause.
For many patients, we start with oral iron supplementation.
One of our preferred options is Iron Complex by Integrative Therapeutics, which provides 50 mg of iron along with vitamin C. We carry this product in the clinic. Other options include Thorne Advanced Iron Complex and Floradix liquid iron.
Important: Iron supplementation should not be started based on symptoms alone. Too much iron can be harmful, and symptoms of low iron can overlap with many other conditions. We recommend appropriate laboratory testing and medical evaluation to confirm iron deficiency, determine the possible cause, and ensure supplementation is safe and appropriate for you.
How you take your iron matters, too.
Iron is generally better absorbed when it isn't taken alongside calcium, dairy, coffee, tea or antacids. Some patients tolerate every-other-day dosing better than daily dosing. If iron causes nausea or stomach upset, taking it with a small amount of food can also help.
Constipation is another common complaint. Rather than simply giving up on iron, we can help adjust the formulation, dosing schedule or bowel regimen to make treatment more tolerable.
What if oral iron isn't enough?
Sometimes oral supplementation isn't tolerated, isn't adequately absorbed or simply isn't enough to restore depleted iron stores.
That's where IV iron may be an option.
At Rural Revival, patients interested in iron infusions first have a complete iron panel drawn and reviewed. If they are an appropriate candidate, we can perform IV iron infusions right here in our office.
Depending on the degree of iron depletion and the individual patient's needs, our protocol may recommend 1–3 infusions, followed by repeat laboratory testing to evaluate the response.
IV iron isn't appropriate for everyone, and it isn't something we recommend simply because someone wants a higher ferritin number. We look at the entire clinical picture—including symptoms, laboratory findings, medical history and potential causes of iron loss—before recommending treatment.
This is what health optimization means to us.
Healthcare shouldn't only be about waiting until something becomes abnormal enough to qualify as a disease.
Sometimes the question isn't:
"Are you sick?"
It's:
"Do you feel like yourself?"
If you're exhausted, losing hair, struggling through workouts, dealing with restless legs or constantly being told that everything looks "normal," there may be more to investigate.
Low iron stores are just one piece of the puzzle we evaluate at Rural Revival.
Our goal is to identify what may be contributing to how you feel, correct what we can, and help you build a foundation that supports your health for the long term.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Iron replacement therapy is not appropriate for everyone, and treatment decisions should be made with a qualified healthcare provider based on your individual medical history, symptoms, risks, and goals. Do not start, stop, or change your medication without discussing it with your healthcare provider.
