The most common nutritional deficiency… and one of the most overlooked contributors to fatigue, anxiety, and low energy.

If you’ve been dragging yourself through the day feeling tired, foggy, anxious, or “not quite yourself,” you’ve probably blamed stress, motherhood, work, hormones, sleep… or just being a human in 2025.

But what if the real problem isn’t you? What if it’s your iron?

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, yet it’s one of the least discussed when it comes to energy, mood, and everyday wellbeing. And if you’re a menstruating woman, have been pregnant, breastfed, follow a plant-heavy diet, or juggle a busy life, you’re firmly in the high-risk camp.

Here’s why so many women are iron deficient — and what you should be looking out for.

My Iron Story (And Why I’m Writing This)

When I saw Dr Libby’s book Fix Iron First, I knew I had to read it immediately. I’ve lived this story for almost a decade.

In 2016, I became iron deficient during my first pregnancy. I supplemented, I breastfed for 12 months, I did “all the right things”… but the fatigue never left.

At 18 months postpartum, I needed an iron infusion.
Second pregnancy? Deficiency again — worse.
My son is now five and I’m still not convinced my iron levels have ever properly recovered.

For the last five years, my ferritin has stubbornly sat below 30. I’ve been on and off supplements, changed my diet, fixed absorption issues… and the struggle has been real.

And here’s the kicker:

I’m a nutritionist.
I know how important iron is.
I knew my energy, hair loss, anxiety, palpitations and fatigue weren’t normal.

But I brushed it off — because deficiency is so common, it becomes invisible.

Then I started seeing the same pattern in my clinic… and now I can’t unsee it.

Why Iron Deficiency Gets Missed

When someone says they’re tired, usually their GP will test iron studies. But that’s where the investigation stops.

The reality?
Iron affects far more than just energy.

Let’s break down the systems quietly screaming for help:

1. Mood + Anxiety

Iron is essential for converting tyrosine → dopamine and glutamate → GABA.

Low iron can contribute to:

• anxiety
• overwhelm
• irritability
• low motivation
• stress sensitivity

2. Thyroid Function

Iron is needed to produce T4 and helps the thyroid respond properly to TSH.

Low iron can look like:

• stubborn fatigue
• brain fog
• cold hands and feet
• slow metabolism

This is a huge reason so many women inside Worth Your Weight struggle with energy and progress until we address iron.

3. Detoxification

Your liver’s detox pathways rely on iron-dependent enzymes.

If iron is low, detoxification and hormone clearance slow down, which may cause a cascade of issues.

Why Are So Many Women Iron Deficient?

There isn’t one single reason. Usually, it’s a combination.

🥩 1. Low Intake

The RDI for menstruating women is 18 mg/day — and most don’t get close.

If you need help getting more iron into meals, the Meal Plan Bundle includes higher-iron meals designed for busy women.

💊 2. Poor Absorption

Coffee, tea, PPIs, NSAIDs, calcium, zinc, gut infections and coeliac disease all interfere with absorption.

Even the timing of breakfast coffee matters.

🏃🏼‍♀️ 3. High Demands

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, heavy periods, and endurance training burn through iron faster than you can replace it.

🍎 4. Missing Cofactors

Vitamin C, copper, and vitamin A all play a role in iron absorption and mobilisation.

Without them, supplements can feel like they “don’t work.”

The Snack Guide includes iron-pairing combinations with vitamin C for better absorption.

What This Means for You

Iron deficiency doesn’t cause everything – but it might contribute to far more than we give it credit for.

If you’ve been dealing with:

• low motivation
• chronic fatigue
• anxiety
• hair loss
• palpitations
• breathlessness
• poor exercise tolerance
• brain fog
• low resilience

…it’s time to ask whether iron is part of the story.

Ask your doctor for:

• Ferritin
• Iron
• Transferrin
• Transferrin saturation
• Full blood count
• CRP

This is also something I assess inside 1:1 consults, because interpreting iron requires nuance.

Where to From Here?

If this post is hitting a little too close to home, here’s your next step:

✔️ Get proper iron studies done

Not just ferritin.

✔️ Review your diet + absorption blockers

If you need guidance, the Feel-Good Formula walks you through exactly how to rebuild energy day to day.

✔️ Fix the cofactors

Copper + vitamin A matter more than you think.

✔️ Don’t ignore symptoms

Your body is trying to communicate with you.

✔️ Work with a qualified practitioner

This is where my 1:1 consults come in – personalised, evidence-based, and grounded in the real world.

If You Want Support

🔥 Book a 1:1 Consult

I’ll review your symptoms, labs, diet, and absorption blockers and build a personalised iron strategy.

✨ Energy foundations — perfect for iron recovery:

• Feel-Good Formula – rebuild energy, mood, and daily habits
• Snack Guide – iron-friendly snacks + absorbing pairings
• Meal Plan Bundle – easy meals for busy women needing more iron
• Worth Your Weight – for women wanting metabolism + energy support alongside sustainable weight loss

You don’t have to accept fatigue as a personality trait.
You don’t have to accept anxiety as your baseline.
You don’t have to accept exhaustion as “being a mum.”

Sometimes it’s not you.

Sometimes… it’s your iron.