Why am I so cold and tired all the time? All about iron deficiency by Dr Justin Gallant ND

3/12/2016

Iron deficiency can cause you to feel cold, tired and weak. Dr Justin Gallant ND

Iron deficiency: The most common reason for fatigue and feeling cold

Iron deficiency is one of the most common conditions I see in practice and also one of the most misdiagnosed. These patients are told their iron is fine by either their doctor or the receptionist but this is far from the truth.

Iron deficiency symptoms:

These symptoms can vary based on your iron levels. Some will just have one extreme version of a symptom and others will have a bunch of these symptoms.

Iron deficiency causes pale nailbeds as illustrated in the picture above.

Feeling tired all of the time
Feeling cold all of the time
Restless sleep
Weak nails
Pale nailbeds (refer to picture)
Restless leg syndrome
Muscles spasms
Shortness of breath when trying to exercise
Palpitations
Pale skin
Hair loss
Low blood pressure
Depression and post-partum depression
Chronic fatigue
Brain fog
Random sharp stabbing left-sided chest pain
Poor blood sugar control
Dark bags under eyes (pale skin reveals the dark veins in that area)
Heavy periods
painful periods
Easy bleeding
Easy bruising
Low motivation
Constipation

There's much more juicy information below, please click on "Read More" if you'd like to learn more information about iron deficiency. I discuss why it's so commonly undiagnosed, proper reference ranges, why certain iron supplements are terrible and others are amazing, causes of iron deficiency, why you feel cold when you have low iron and who should get their iron tested.

Why do I have low iron symptoms but my doctor says I'm fine?

I can tell within seconds of seeing these patients that they have low iron but they’ve been told that they are fine. There are a couple of different reasons for this. We use ferritin to test your iron and it measures iron storage. They used to test free iron but it was influenced by what you ate in the past 24 hours so it wasn’t accurate. The reference range for ferritin for most labs is terrible! Most labs will give a range from around 11-291ug/L, which is way too broad. To most docs, if your ferritin is a 12 you’re “fine” but if it’s a 10 you need to be on an iron supplement. This is ridiculous! By the time you get anywhere near 11 you have been severely deficient in iron for over 4 months! In my experience most iron deficiency symptoms don’t go away until you’re around 80ug/L. This is widely variable depending on each individual though. The reference range mentioned above has to cover 95% of the population so we have to look at it functionally. If your hair is falling out, your cold and tired all of the time there’s a good chance your iron is low. We’re all different, I've had some patients who were losing hair and their ferritin was around 50ug/L. Once I got their ferritin up to 80-100ug/L the hair loss went away. On the other hand I’ve had patients who had a ferritin of 40ug/L and had no symptoms at all. We all have different requirements and metabolisms. Another reason why iron deficiency goes undiagnosed is because it's not tested. Quite a few doctors think if your hemoglobin is at a healthy level your ferritin is as well. This isn't always true. I see iron deficiency symptoms resolve as ferritin increases, regardless of hemoglobin levels.

Proper ferritin reference ranges

Ferritin (ug/L)	Interpretation
<12	Iron deficiency
12-29	Depleted iron stores
30-79	Reduced iron stores
80-150	Adequate iron stores

CBC (complete blood count) and iron levels

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a great indicator which is ignored as well. Your hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen from your lungs to your tissues. If the reference range is 120-160 and yours is at 122 there’s a good chance that you’re anemic. My patients’ doctors always say, “I’m not concerned if the CBC is only off by a little bit” but they should be. If the patient has signs of anemia and their CBC isn’t up to par, we need to normalize it to get rid of those symptoms. The CBC can tell you about the oxygenation of the tissues (hemoglobin), how many cells versus fluid (hematocrit), how big the cells are (MCV), distribution of red blood cells (RDW) and if your white blood cells or immune cells are increased or decreased. White blood cells are usually decreased in people with anemia. Sometimes you can tell iron is low just by looking at the CBC. If MCV or MCH are low and RDW is high it’s a good indicator of iron deficiency. CBC is ran almost every time a patient gets blood work done. I usually just test ferritin to confirm. Sometimes an iron panel is necessary to do as well which I'll discuss another time. Briefly, ferritin can be elevated due to inflammation, so there are people who have an elevated ferritin but still have an iron deficiency. An iron panel will give you more information on this and inflammatory markers such as hs-CRP and ESR can be tested as well.

Why low iron causes you to feel cold

Iron deficiency usually comes with low blood pressure since the blood is thinner and this form of poor circulation can contribute to a feeling of coldness. If you’re not pushing blood to your extremities well because of low blood pressure you’re going to have cold hands and feet.

Conditions which have similar symptoms to iron deficiency

Feeling cold, tired and weak can also be a result of hypothyroidism, hashimoto’s thyroiditis, chronic fatigue syndrome and low blood pressure. Brain fog can be a result of any of these conditions as well as candidiasis and a plethora of other conditions. It’s also common to have a combination of these conditions. I have quite a few patients with low iron, low blood pressure and hypothyroidism. You have to think if hypothyroidism slows your digestion down, you won’t secrete proper stomach acid so you won’t be able to extract iron from your food, which will lead to low iron and low blood pressure.

Causes of iron deficiency

Inadequate iron intake
- If you’re not consuming iron you won’t be able to use it or store it.
Vegetarian or vegan diet
- You absorb approximately 2-18% of iron from plant sources, but 50-80% from animal sources as long as your digestion is up to par.
Wheat and bran consumption
- I’ve had numerous patients whose ferritin wouldn’t budge until I took them off of wheat. Most likely because wheat was causing inflammation of the intestines so they weren’t absorbing anything. A couple of other possible reasons are phytic acid and pesticide exposure.
Dairy consumption
- Same deal as wheat. I’ve had quite a few patients whose ferritin would not increase until I got them to stop consuming all dairy.
Food sensitivities
- If your abdomen is bloated you’re not going to be absorbing nutrients optimally
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Your baby will take quite a bit of iron from you during your pregnancy and through breast milk.
Diarrhea
- If food is taking the fast lane through you, you won’t have time to absorb its goods.
Excess intake of black coffee or black tea
- The tannins in black coffee or tea are used to turn cowhides into leather. If we are constantly exposed to them we’ll decrease absorption of all nutrients. In Hemochromatosis (iron overload), patients are instructed to consume black drinks liberally to prevent absorption of iron.
Donating blood
- You’ll drop about 20-40 units of ferritin each time you donate blood. Just because your hemoglobin is fine doesn’t mean your ferritin is. Get your ferritin checked before you donate blood.
Heavy periods
- If you’re bleeding out more iron than you’re consuming you’re going to get low iron stores.
Celiac disease
- All nutrients are deficient in this condition
Acid blocker medications
- Proton pump inhibitors like Nexium, Prevacid and Pantaloc are designed to prevent stomach acid secretion. We need stomach acid in order to break down food to absorb its nutrients. Long-term use of these medications will cause an iron deficiency, along with basically other nutrient deficiency.This is the most common reason why men usually have an iron deficiency.
Stress
- If you’re in fight or flight mode, blood is shunted from your intestines to your muscles. As a result of this, your body will be prepared to run away from things rather than break down food and absorb nutrients from it.
Excess caffeine
- Same reason as stress. Caffeine is basically synthetic stress so it has the same effect. The caffeine and tannins in coffee are a bad combo for causing an iron deficiency.
Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria)
- if you can't break foods down properly you won't be able to get iron from it. This can be due to a high carbohydrate diet, zinc deficiency, stress, acid blockers, anxiety, eating on the go, and several other reasons.
Colon cancer
- Sometimes the first sign of colon cancer is an iron deficiency anemia.

Proper iron supplementation

Most people avoid iron supplements because they constipate them or cause abdominal pain. This is because most iron supplements that are prescribed are in a terrible form. They use ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate which are not absorbed very well and they are harsh on our digestive system. The best form of iron to use is iron bisglycinate. It’s a lot easier on the intestines and absorbs a lot better. I’ve had patients come in who were on ferrous gluconate or fumarate for 3+ years and their ferritin didn’t budge, but after being on iron bisglycinate for 3 months their ferritin increased by over 40 units! Iron should also be taken with vitamin C to increase absorption. Iron should not be taken with calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, fiber, eggs, chamomile tea, peppermint tea, or milk thistle, since they all prevent absorption of iron. If you're unsure about taking proper iron supplements or need help interpreting your blood work contact your local licensed Naturopathic Doctor.

Not testing ferritin can be irresponsible

It boggles my mind that ferritin is not a required test during and after pregnancy. Having adequate iron stores is important for the baby’s health, increasing survival rate if hemorrhaging occurs, preventing post-partum depression and so Mom isn’t extremely tired while trying to take care of her active baby. I’ve had so many patients tell me they never imagined that they could actually have energy throughout the day because they’ve lived with it for so long. Ferritin should be tested in anyone who has any of the symptoms I mentioned at the beginning of this article, pregnant women, post-partum women, vegetarians and vegans especially, but I would recommend everyone get their ferritin tested at least once to see where it's at.

Thanks for reading! Please share this with any of your friends who have been diagnosed with an iron deficiency or who have the symptoms I mentioned. No one has to, or should live with this condition. Also if you learned from this and would like an update every time I post new stuff please sign up for my email list here. Also, check out my article on IBS if you have digestive issues that could be contributing towards iron deficiency.

Please comment below if you have anything to add, or share on Facebook or Twitter.

Thanks,

Dr Justin Gallant ND

123 Comments

Janet Opila-Lehman

3/13/2016 07:42:49 pm

Thanks for sharing this info - nice job!!

Dr. Justin Gallant ND link

3/14/2016 08:36:21 am

Hey Jan,

Thanks for the kind words.
I'm glad you liked it!

Jacob

6/8/2017 01:47:09 pm

Can amphetamine+caffeine intake cause you to feel cold? Also, would you say this combination could be a contributing factor to hypothyroidism or anemia? I take VyVanse 70 mg and drink energy drinks and I feel FROZEN (especially fingers, feet, nose is very cold). It gets better after I eat and get blood sugar up as well as get iron. It is almost always noticeable. In A/C in the summer when I get this it gets even worse. I literally have to wear sweatpants and sweatshirt until I warm up. Eating helps this and only that and avoiding more stimulant.

Amy

9/17/2017 02:27:27 am

I am so glad I found this article! Went to my Dr for excessive weakness and tired all day. I had a CBC and WBC where high, mch low, and rdw was high. My Dr wasn't concerned, she said to come back in a month to check again. I cannot function with the exhaustion, so I'm going to try the iron and hope this can help! Thank you!

Tiffany Usrey

12/17/2017 12:57:33 am

Hey Doc I take one 65mg Iron supplement pill everyday and I'm still cold what would you recommend

Rifana

7/21/2017 04:22:26 am

If get iron tablets it will be ok

Molly Scotchmer

3/14/2016 08:19:27 pm

This is a great comprehensive article...thanks for sharing it.

Dr. Justin Gallant ND link

3/15/2016 05:46:08 pm

Thanks a lot Molly!

Abby

4/1/2016 02:12:37 pm

Can iron bisglycinate be purchased over the counter?

Dr Justin Gallant ND link

4/2/2016 09:04:05 am

Hey Abby,

Yes you can order it from most health stores or online. You just have to look at the label of the iron supplement and it will tell you which form it is.

ileana Montoya

4/13/2016 01:18:59 am

Ive experianced hair loss since 17. Im now 28 and my hair loss has never improved. Im not bald at all. I have disfusse hair loss. It seems to fall a lot and then grow a lot but never stable. It seems ny hair shedding phase is prolonged and my resting phase is real short because 1 interesting observation is that my has never grown past my bra strap. I have only cut my ends in 11 years and maybe only 1-2x a year so you would think my hair would be by my ankles but its always been the same hair length. Throughout all these years i have checked my ferritin numerous times and it has never past 54...the lowest 40. I finally found a GI doctor who agrees ferritin should be around 100 (he doesnt think it will improve my hair loss..i beg to differ) but if he willing to monitor my iron levels then who cares if we disagree on the hair loss if the end result is still the same. I been taking nature made 65mg of iron 2x/day equivalent to 325 ferrous sulfate with a vit c chewable tablet. Thankfully no gi issues. Any tips on how long i should wait before seeing results? Is the iron im using been since i am able to tolerate it? After my ferritin levels are optimal, should i still continue on iron tablets forever or decrease them?. I have a concern why my ferritin levels have never been over 54. I was tested negative for celiacs. I eat a lot of meat. Limited dairy. My menstration is very normal bleed. Not to heavy. If i wad never able to increase my ferritin naturally im scared once i stopp the iron tablets they will decrease again. I really hope that this is the cure to my unresolved hair loss, extreme fatigue, brain fog of all these years.

Dr. Justin Gallant ND link

4/14/2016 09:25:16 am

Hey Ileana,

Thanks for sharing your story.
Sorry to hear about your troubles.
You should try to find a local naturopathic doctor who knows about this stuff. I've had patients in a similar situation whose ferritin didn't rise until they were off of wheat, even though they weren't celiac. Another really common reason is low stomach acid. You can eat all of the meat you want but if you're not breaking it down properly you won't extract the iron from it... and absorb it.
I usually judge efficacy of iron supplements based on digestive symptoms and ferritin levels. Even though you're not experiencing digestive discomfort doesn't necessarily mean it's the best supplement. It's best to test ferritin every 4 months.

Andrea

4/13/2016 06:22:28 pm

Great article! Thanks for sharing

Dr. Justin Gallant ND link

4/14/2016 09:25:50 am

Hey Andrea, thank you and thanks for reading!

Joanna

5/14/2016 02:57:51 pm

I'm always a little tired during the day and am always freezing in the house. I just assumed that that was "life" and so is everyone else. I was still able to do my workouts (yoga, running, weights, and swimming) each week despite an often rough/tired start, but donating blood this past week had me feeling absolutely wiped. I wondered if I was just imagining my exhaustion or if it was just a mental excuse. So I actually went to see Dr. Gallant in person and he had me do some blood tests... turns out my iron, B12, CBC and a few other counts are really low (despite me making the cutoff to donate). We're going to be trying supplements soon but at the very least it's comforting knowing I'm not imagining things. I'm excited at the prospect of having some energy and rhythm back in my life. Thanks Dr. G!

Dr Justin Gallant ND link

5/16/2016 09:08:07 am

Thanks Joanna!
I look forward to you having full energy once these labs are back to normal!

Jessie C.

7/1/2016 08:18:49 pm

Thank you so much for this very informative article. My friend is suffering badly from anemia and since I am a nutritionist, I have been helping her with the nutrition side of things. Unfortunately no matter how much I teach, I can't control what she puts in her mouth. I forwarded this article to her and I think it finally sank in that drinking 8 cups of coffee a day and mostly dairy products is doing nothing but making her anemia worse. Thanks again for this in depth article. It proves that no matter how much you think you know, there is Always so much more to learn.

Dr Justin Gallant ND link

7/6/2016 09:35:11 am

Hey Jessie,

Thanks so much!
Hopefully she returns to good health soon.
She's lucky to have someone knowledgeable helping her out.

So true, I learn so much every day!

Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it!

Tiffany Usrey

12/17/2017 12:54:33 am

Doc I take 1 65mg iron supplement every day and I'm still cold I've been told my iron is fine what would you recommend

loraine

9/21/2016 09:41:45 pm

A great article about a very undiscussed issue. Rarely do you know your iron is an issue until its in the extremely low numbers. Thanks Justin for writing it and spreading the word.

Dr Justin Gallant ND link

9/22/2016 09:59:42 am

Hey Loraine,

Thanks for reading and for the kind words!

Debbie

10/25/2016 03:29:55 am

Thanks for this info. I've been struggling with low iron and low ferritin for over a year. I'm taking prescription iron but not making great headway. If I use the iron you suggest it's a lot less strength, (25mg) how many tablets would I need per day?

Dr Justin Gallant ND link

10/27/2016 10:42:25 pm

Hey Debbie, thanks!

It looks like a lower dose but it's absorbed much better than ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate so you don't need anywhere near as high of a dose.
Most people are good with 1 capsule per day, some will go up to 2 but it's common to get digestive issues once they go up to 2.
I'd work with a naturopathic doctor in your area if you can.

AbrarAhmad link

10/29/2016 02:31:38 pm

I found this article very informative and useful, easy to read and understand. I have a little information about Chronic Syndrome Fatigue and i would like to share it here. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complicated yet unknown medical condition which is characterized by at least six months of extreme fatigue and also known as systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID). The fatigue is not reduced by rest and may worsen or be worsened by physical or mental exertion. The first thing to know about it chronic fatigue syndrome is that it’s an illness. The Institute of Medicine classifies it as a disease as it is characterized by abnormally low levels of energy deficit and they say that people should take it seriously. Apart from physical exhaustion, cognitive issues are also impaired and to such an extent that you may have difficulty putting a sentence together or reading something out of a book. The causes of chronic fatigue are yet unknown, although there are theories on how and why it happens. One of the common theories is that it is caused by viral infections. Experts say that mononucleosis (an abnormally high count of white blood cells in the body) may trigger the disease. It starts with flu like symptoms that keep growing worse over time. Inflammation has also been known to trigger chronic fatigue and simply walking for a few minutes can cause unusually high inflammation although, again it is unknown where this inflammatory response originates from. Chronic fatigue comes and goes as it wills. Experts say that people first develop it in their 20s or 30s. After a few months or years it disappears only to unfortunately resurface later in life, especially menopause seems to recur another phase of chronic fatigue. The problem is that most doctors don’t know much about it because the disease is not included in the medical curriculum so it goes unfamiliar with many doctors and this makes it difficult for them to find answers. But some experts have blamed it on poor nutrition, especially junk food, and the commonly observed sedentary lifestyle of nearly every person. Again, what is unfortunate is that there are treatments for it but none are FDA approved because proper certified studies and clinical trials have not been conducted and ultimately doctors are forced to provide medications for pain and fatigue which are not specifically for chronic fatigue.
Reference: https://www.healthunits.com/fatigue/why-am-i-always-tired/

Beverly link

1/15/2017 08:13:04 am

Since my baby was born, I've had many of these Iron deficiency symptoms that you named including the coldness in feet, hands (not just during winter); constant tiredness, light headed feeling, trouble controlling blood sugar. Right after she was born, the doctor casually mentioned that she had iron deficiency too, obviously because of my deficiency. And so I went on iron supplements. They seemed to help some, but I still had fainting spells while nursing my baby and once even fell while walking in the house due to dizziness from iron deficiency. I don't feel like I get much relief from the regular supplements (pill form) but the liquid iron gives me a super boost that helps a lot. And, so I'm on that now and feeling a lot better. I don't know if there is a real cure for a deficiency as some people's body is always going to be lower in one mineral or another. But doing some simple things like getting more natural sources of iron in the diet has done wonders for me. It's not easy as mostly I am vegetarian with occasional chicken or fish. And, if you don't eat lots of beef, you are likely going to be iron deficient without supplements. I was reading online at this one blog that you can get a good boost of iron from doing simple things like drinking a fruit smoothie or eating slices of iron enriched bread daily.
I'm trying out these ideas with good success. Just speaking for myself, but I prefer natural iron sources anyway as there is no chance of accidental over dose. Another good source of iron is legumes which is ideal for me as I don't like many meats in the diet anyway. There is no reason to suffer from deficiencies in this way if you can live a healthy and active lifestyle without limitations.

Laura

2/28/2017 09:05:05 pm

This article was very informative.
I've been suffering with iron deficiency anemia for many years!
I now have a CBC and Ferritin check done monthly.
Get IV iron as needed.
Thank you

Dr Justin Gallant ND link

3/2/2017 10:00:34 am

Thanks Laura!
Glad your iron is being taken care of.

Amanda

3/6/2017 07:46:30 am

My 14 year old daughter has been experiencing fainting spells right after her menstruals end. After numerous heart tests and EEGs, I was told it's orthostatic hypotension, she will grow out of it! When I mentioned a possible deficiency, the cardiologist almost rolled her eyes in response. So, I took her to a gynecologist who is the first to have mentioned ferritin levels. Low a behold, she had low ferritin and a vitamin D deficiency! This was the first time I had ever heard of ferritin levels. I assumed iron wasn't an issue, because her hemoglobin is always at 12. However, she had the majority of anemia symptoms. Here we are after supplementing for 2 weeks, most symptoms are gone and this is the first time she hasn't fainted with her menstrual in 3 months! Thanks for sharing this, most doctors are telling me I'm wrong, there aren't any symptoms until anemia sets in! They are WRONG!:)

Dr Justin Gallant ND

3/8/2017 12:28:22 pm

Hey Amanda,

Thanks for writing in!
That's so great to hear!
Low ferritin can definitely cause anemia symptoms regardless of hemoglobin.
Check out my vitamin D deficiency article as well if you haven't yet!
http://www.drjustingallantnd.com/blog/vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms-why-its-so-common-and-what-to-do-about-it

Ambra Johnson

3/7/2017 02:54:50 pm

Thank you!!!!! For this info. I'm so cold ALL the time. And exhausted and get panic attacks whenever I exert myself beyond walking or jogging. Crossfit was awful for me. Just got my ferritin done its @ 18 down from 36 six months ago. I have super heavy periods and am 42 years old. I just started taking iron w vitamin c. When should I start feeling any better? Also I'm getting migraines and restlessness at night like my bodies pins and needles. Iron related?

Dr Justin Gallant ND

3/20/2017 11:28:26 am

Hey Ambra,

Thanks for writing in.
Most of those issues should resolve once your ferritin is ~80.
It usually takes 2-3 weeks to start feeling the difference once on a good iron supplement.
Pins and needles can be iron, magnesium, B6 or B12 related usually.

Jay

3/16/2017 11:42:09 am

Can low ferritin of 30.4 cause all body hair growth to slow down? Ive had hair shedding for a year due to sudden weight loss and month of stress. It has slowed now. When i noticed the shedding ferritin was 16.4. It has since increased to 30.4 it was 40.4 but dropped 10, my tsh was 2.07 t4 15.6. I assume because of skiing holiday. But all of my body hair has slowed down. It takes 5 days for my leg hair to grow what it did in 2 days just under a year ago. My hair feels weak, i think the follicles are thinner as well hair is dryer and tangles at the ends. I am 37. Other symptoms i have had but have improved were bruising easily on legs, didnt know how i got the bruises. Legs moving alot as trying to sleep at night. I am not as cold any more. I had a pain in my left side around the second bottom rib that used to come, dull stabbing type of pain, it used to go away when i ate. Dr hasnt given me anything believes, it ia stress related the hair loss. I am increasing my ferritin with floradix and taking multivitamin also taking other vitamins like codliver oil, plenty of fruit veg protein etc. Great article would be interested in more of your iron thyroid hair loss body and head articles.

Dr Justin Gallant ND

3/20/2017 11:34:14 am

Hey Jay,

Thanks for writing in!
In my experience ferritin below 80 can contribute to hair loss.
I usually get people to test anti-TPO if they feel they have thyroid symptoms but TSH is normal.
Legs moving a lot at night = Restless leg syndrome, definitely a sign of low iron.
It sounds like you're on the right track with getting your iron up!

Thanks for the kind words.

Jay

3/16/2017 12:01:55 pm

I should have also said my nail beds were pretty much white starting to pink up and my last period didnt have any clots. This past year i had been clotting during my period. I will know next month if this is a continued improvement.

Dr Justin Gallant ND

5/3/2017 06:27:35 pm

Those are great signs of iron returning to normal!

Judith Augustino

4/17/2017 09:26:27 am

It's so important to have honest & clear answers! (which you always provide in detail) Gp's don't give you that! They poopoo you most times & try to diagnose with no accurate proof & put you on a medication you don't need! (I never fell for that, but I know many that have) I'm not sure if I missed a portion of this where you indicate what food source you get your iron from?

Dr Justin Gallant ND

5/3/2017 06:29:45 pm

Thanks Judith!

It's important to get iron from protein-rich foods.
When the iron is bound to heme (protein), it's a lot better absorbed.
Red meat, nuts and seeds are all great sources of iron.

Here is a good list:
https://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-iron.php

Patricia

4/20/2017 07:16:29 pm

Ive struggled with iron defiency for many years. Im on iron by iv infusion. Sadly no matter how high it brings me my body wont store it. The doctor hasnt found the cause o fit constantly depleting. But was glad to hear about the low blood pressure cuz i have issues with that also

Dr Justin Gallant ND

5/3/2017 06:31:14 pm

Hey Patricia,

Sorry to hear!
Usually the cause of depletion is heavy periods, poor absorption, or food sensitivities (wheat, dairy, etc...).
Ya blood low in iron is thin like water, so there's not much for the blood to pump against, therefore blood pressure drops.

Sara

4/27/2017 03:22:45 pm

I knew I was severely anemic, and I've recently scheduled regular iron infusions, because in my case its genetic. I knew some of the symptoms I experience are due to anemia, but I got so tired of all the blood sugar crashes, I thought maybe I had diabetes too. Its another symptom of anemia!!! And I am freezing all the time, to the point that people at work make fun of me. Now I know that's because of anemia too... Today I was so tired I can't hold my head up sitting at my desk, so I decided to look it up. Why am I tired and cold all the time? Great breakdown of symptoms. I have almost all of them. No restless leg syndrome and no hair loss though. Good to know about the blood sugar being a symptom too, guess I can cancel the appointment with the endocrinologist and the diabetes test. I'll go back to my hematologist for another iron infusion. Its about that time, anyway.

Dr Justin Gallant ND

5/3/2017 06:32:44 pm

Hey Sara,

I'm glad the article helped!
The hematologist or your MD could test blood sugar as well if you did want to check to be on the safe side.

Low blood sugar is so common with iron deficiency, it's crazy!

Lina link

5/27/2017 12:17:49 pm

Thanks for the info Dr.Gallant,

One question I do have is been cold then hot also symptoms of Anemia. My iron binding level was at 20. Its gone up since then. Am now experience hot flushes.

Pia

5/29/2017 09:07:58 am

Hello Dr. Gallant,
I have been suffering from low iron since i had my first child which is 1997 but since the past couple to three years i have noticed it getting worst. I am losing my hair like crazy, they are coming off in like big bunches. I am scared to touch my hair, wherever i stand or sleep there's tons of hair. Also i feel tired all day, no matter how much i work or not. My head is always heavy and hurting. I am not sure what it is, i do ocassionally take my iron supplements. I am from Canada and the supplements i take are Feramax. Please help me if you have any medicine or supplement that i can take and it will improve all this. My nails do look the way your picture shows but they are not brittle or anything.

I will wait for your reply.

Dr Justin Gallant ND

8/1/2017 07:26:51 pm

Hey Pia,

Thanks for writing in!
Where in Canada are you located?
I can help you find a naturopathic doctor in your area.
You have to be pretty consistent with iron supplements in order for them to work.

Gina

5/31/2017 06:17:50 pm

Hi, I've trying to get my doctor to test me for several things , but he says my blood panel is normal , although some numbers are off ! I've had enlarged red blood cells for the last three years ! He says nothing to worry about ! I stay cold all the time ! I look crazy wearing sweatpants in May ! I've dropped weight , pain on right side of my navel , headaches , and sleep is never enough ! I look horrible ! I weigh 100 lbs! I'm in my 50's ! I can't gain weight ! I will , then lose it ! I'm frustrated !!!

Dr Justin Gallant ND

8/1/2017 07:28:01 pm

Hey Gina,

It sounds like you need a new family doctor and a naturopathic doctor!
If you want help finding an ND let me know what part of the world you live in and I'll see if I can find a licensed one for you.

Kim

6/29/2017 12:04:00 am

Hi, I just had my iron levels checked and my ferritin level is at 4! My Dr is being very thorough, checking coeliacs and crohns (family history) and for bowel cancer. However, I am on Nexium daily for oesophageal inflammation...could being on this reduce it to as low as 4? My Dr has suggested no link with this. And to me, a level of 4 is very close to zero...I am on tablet supplements at my Drs suggestion and he is checking my levels again in 3 months...given it is so low should I be having I.V. injections?

Dr Justin Gallant ND

8/1/2017 07:29:55 pm

Hey Kim,

Acid blockers like nexium can cause a wide-range of nutrient deficiencies. They prevent stomach acid production, so you can't break food down as well and therefore can't extract nutrients from it properly.
They rarely do IV iron now since there is a risk of hypersensitivity reaction to it. A good iron supplement taken consistently should do the trick.

Amansa

7/26/2017 11:23:04 am

Hello Dr. Gallant! Do you have any feedback regarding low ferritin and seizure activity?

Dr Justin Gallant ND

8/1/2017 07:31:49 pm

Hey!

Low ferritin could contribute to seizure activity for sure.
Ferritin oxygenates the tissue so if it's really low and your brain isn't getting enough oxygen it could have an effect.
Another possible correlation would be low blood sugar.
When iron is low, people tend to get hypoglycemic more often and hypoglycemia is a trigger for seizures.

Amanda

8/5/2017 05:22:40 pm

Could the affect cause an abnormal EEG?

Dr Justin Gallant ND

8/13/2017 01:57:22 pm

Iron deficiency anemia can affect EEG's for sure.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18423335
Here is an abstract for a study that showed a difference before and after treating for iron deficiency.

Selina

7/26/2017 05:05:37 pm

After scouting the internet for days this page has literally been the most informative and helpful I've seen. I'm not sure if the UK is so behind but after giving birth to my first son in December, by march I was feeling awful. Severe fatigue and went to my gp 3 times and had numerous blood tests. I'm also 6 yrs in remission from breast cancer do feeling like this with no answers terrified me. After paying to see a private gp (we are nhs here!) he looked at the bloods and noted that my ferritin level was 10 and iron was 11. I'm four days in taking ferrous fumerate and am praying to start noticing a difference. I've just read what you mentioned about iron bisglycinate but can't find it here in the U.K.!

Dr Justin Gallant ND

8/1/2017 07:33:18 pm

Hey Selina,

Thanks for your kind words!
I'm glad they find the low iron and I hope that supplementation helps!
If it brings your ferritin level back up, you'll be feeling like a million bucks!
Keep me updated!

Mary

9/2/2017 03:05:15 am

Oh my this article is so good. I refused of take the cholesterol medication for it was off only 40 points . I told my doctor I old do it by diet. So I brought it down by getting on all the foods that cause it to go high. I realized a lot of them like beef have iron. I noticed my beautiful hair was thin in each strand. The weight of it changed. I was never ever cold now I freeze. At 73 I do know me. I will go on iron tomorrow and increase my B 12. Thank you much.

Dr. Justin Gallant ND

9/5/2017 09:47:03 pm

Hey Mary,

Thanks for the kind words.
Try to work with a professional who can test your iron.
Iron can accumulate once post-menopausal so you don't want to bring it up too much.

Jessica

9/4/2017 08:42:28 pm

I have been doing a lot of research over the last couple of months searching for answers and your article has been so helpful and informative. I have been feeling very bad since having a miscarriage followed by a DandC in December, which caused me to be very anemic. It wasn't until recently that a doctor finally checked my Ferritin and confirmed that it was at a 16. What are your thoughts on Proferrin? I have tried fumerate and sulfate with no luck. I'm desperate for something to work since I have been feeling bad for so long. How much Biglycinate do you recommend and at what point is an iron infusion a good idea? I would appreciate any additional information that you can provide!

Dr Justin Gallant ND

9/5/2017 09:50:00 pm

Thanks for the kind words Jessica!
I'm glad my article was helpful!

A 16 is really low!
I've seen mixed results with Proferrin.
Best thing to do is try it and if it causes constipation or abdominal cramping, or the ferritin doesn't start to rise in a couple of months, switch to a different one.
fumarate and sulphate are very harsh indeed.
I can't recommend dosages online.
They tend to not due iron infusions anymore after a couple of patients had severe reactions to them. They usually only do them in an acute hospital setting now, in Ontario anyway.

Kelly

9/18/2017 10:13:10 am

I am very frustrated right now. I have been complaining to all of my doctors for several years now that I am always cold, to the point where I feel like it is debilitating, my hair falls out by the handful every time I wash it, I am depressed, and I always feel fatigued. Understanding that these symptoms can be related to many things, I have done so much research on what the problem could be, because I feel like I just get blown off every time I mention it. Then, when I read your article, I looked at some of my recent blood test results and wouldn't you know it - my MCH and MCHC are low, my RDW is high, and Ferritin is low. Why didn't ANY of my doctors catch on to this? Should I go to my primary care physician or simply start taking iron supplements?

Dr Justin Gallant ND

10/4/2017 10:32:42 am

Hey Kelly,

I hear your frustration.
I may be a bit biased but I think you should find a local naturopathic doctor to work with. We focus quite a bit on nutrient deficiencies. MD's don't focus very much on them.
If you need help finding one in your area just let me know!

I'm glad you were able to benefit from this article and you were able to see your results!

Holly

9/20/2017 01:18:23 pm

I was in a near death accident 12yrs ago. Ive been on fentanyl, oxy and now hydro morphine to control pain. I also sustained a sever brain injury. The last 4 months im EXAUSED i sleep well at nite wake up and can only make a coffee and then lay down again. Can my meds be affecting my energy? They havnt for 11yrs but im now 47yrs old. My doc isnt a easy man to talk to with my concerns. What should i do

Holly

Dr Justin Gallant ND

10/4/2017 10:34:06 am

Hey Holly,

Thanks for your message.
I'd seek out a naturopathic doctor in your area to help you out with all of that stuff. We're caring, we listen and we'll help you figure out what's contributing to the exhaustion.
If you need help finding a naturopathic doctor in your area, just let me know!

MARISA

10/3/2017 01:44:28 pm

I AM SO GLAD I FOUND THIS ARTICLE...IVE BATTLED LOW FERRITIN LEVELS FOR AT LEAST 2 YRS. 5 YRS AGAO I HAD THE GASTRIC SLEEVE SURGERY...3YRS LATER I WAS HAVING DIZZY SPELLS AND ACTUALLY PASSED OUT ONCE. AFTER HAVING SOME BLOOD WORK DONE I FOUND THE FOLLOWING WERE ALL LOW...HEMOGLOBIN, HEMATOCRIT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, VITA D AND FERRITIN SINCE I DIDNT HAVE INSURANCE AT THE TIME MY PCP SUGGESTED I SPEAK TO THE PHARMACIST WITH HIS RECOMENDED DOSAGE FOR A FERRITIN AND FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENT, I HAVE BEEN TAKING THEM EVER SINCE AND MY FERRITIN LEVEL STAYS BETWEEN 6&8, MY HEMOGLOBIN JUST GOT TO AN 11.5 AND MY MCH 25.8, MCHC A 31.7, I AM TIRED ALL THE TIME, ALWAYS COLD, HEADACHES, DIZZY UPON STANDING, A WHOOSHING/HEART BEAT IN MY EARS, FEEL LIKE IM BREATHING LIKE I DID WHEN I WAS ALMOST 300# (CURRENTLY 165) THE LAST 3 YEARS IVE DONE BLOODWORK WITH THE SAME RESULTS AND MY PCP ONLY TELLS ME TO CONTINUE THE SUPPLEMENTS. OBVIOUSLY MY BODY IS NOT ABSORBING THEM CORRECTLY OR THERE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM! READING THAT BY THE TIME YOU REACH A LEVEL OF 11 YOU HAVE BEEN LOW FOR 4 MONTHS WAS SHOCKING, SINCE IVE BEEN AT A 6 FOR 3 YEARS!!! VERY SHOCKING, AND SICKENING THAT MY PCP HAS MADE IT SEEM LIKE NO BIG DEAL...THINK ITS TIME FOR A NEW PCP!

Dr Justin Gallant ND

10/4/2017 10:36:01 am

Hey Marisa,

I think you might need a naturopathic doctor to work along with your PCP. Most PCP's are fine with a ferritin between 5-272, mostly because you're not at risk of anything serious, but with naturopathic doctors we care more about quality of life, rather than just whether you're going to die or not. PCP's have their jobs and we have ours. I recommend going with both, and getting the best of both worlds.

Emma

10/6/2017 02:38:00 pm

Hello, I have been suffering from low levels since my son was born in 2001. My level was 4 I was given pregaday which I was off and on for some years. Just recently I returned to the doctors as my hair was coming out quite excessively my ferritin was 15 I was prescribed ferrous fumarate one tablet twice a day 210mg. I had also been experiencing dizzy spells, almost passing out, cold hands and feet, palpitations, foggy brain, restless legs, irritable -mood swings. I have cut wheat out of my diet for 5 months and reduced my dairy intake. I am a pescatarian however have a good diet. I sometimes take multivitamin tablets and if necessary liquid iron for an extra boost. I have been advised that I should not continue these for such a lengthy time. I am due to have my blood tested. I’m really worried that once my tablets run out how awful I will feel as I know how bad this is if I miss one. Any advice would be grateful. Thank you

Dr Justin Gallant ND

10/29/2017 07:11:57 pm

Hey Emma,

Thanks for your inquiry.
You should work with a naturopathic doctor to guide you in terms of how long you should take a multi/iron, and dosage.

Steve

10/29/2017 12:35:35 am

Is Iron more common than zinc deficiency for brain fog and chronic fatigue?

Dr Justin Gallant ND

10/29/2017 07:14:57 pm

In my experience, iron is a much more common cause of brain fog and fatigue. Usually zinc deficiency will cause symptoms like sores that won't heal, white spots on the fingernails, poor wound healing, weak immune system. That being said, it's a lot easier and more accurate to test iron via blood, than it is to test zinc levels.
Zinc isn't 100% accurate when tested via blood, so I usually base it on physical symptoms like the white spots on the fingernails.

Anne link

11/2/2017 02:11:27 pm

Thanks for a great article. My daughter(now 18yo) has been feeling exhausted for the past three years, and are now depressed in addition to always feeling exhausted . Our doctor says everything fine. These are her blood test over past year:
6. sep. 2017 18. mai. 2017 12. jan. 2017 30. sep. 2016
Ery-MCH 26 26 26 26
S-25-(OH)-vit d None taken 52 40 30
S-B12 None taken 292 287 299
S-Ferretin None taken 16 18 21
S-TSH 2,6 1,4 1,9 1,8
S-Fritt T4 17,3 15,9 14,9 16,9

Dvitamin/Ferritin and B12 was not testet september 6th 2017, because doctor did not see a need for it. After reading your article, I see that she needs more Iron. How much should she take daily to get her levels up?

Best regards
Anne

Dr Justin Gallant ND

11/5/2017 09:34:52 pm

Hey Anne,

Thanks for writing in!
I'm not allowed to discuss specific doses with non-patients, but I'd highly recommend getting your daughter in with a naturopathic doctor for some good thorough care. They'll be able to recommend a dose according to her needs. It looks like she'll need her vitamin D addressed soon as well.
Your daughter is lucky to have you.
It sounds like she's in good hands!

Steve

11/4/2017 02:50:43 pm

After iron deficiency, where does vitamin c and vitamin d rank in terms of their deficiencies causing similar problems like an Iron deficiency ?

Dr Justin Gallant ND

11/5/2017 09:36:49 pm

Hey Steve,

I see vitamin D deficiency very very often.
A high majority of patients who come in are deficient, since we live in Canada and don't get sun for 8-10 months out of the year.
Here is my article on vitamin D:
http://www.drjustingallantnd.com/blog/vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms-why-its-so-common-and-what-to-do-about-it

I don't see vitamin C very often in practice, since it's in everything these days. High doses of it can help out quite a few different health issues though.

Dawn

11/24/2017 07:10:07 pm

I've always been diagnosed as borderline anemic. The iron pills the doctors out me on have always made me sick though. This past year my iron level got really low and my doctor said that I had to take the pills no matter what. Well lately I have felt worse than ever. I have stomach issues that I have to take medication for that this article says makes iron absorbtion worse. I'm not sure what to do. I am actually having nose bleeds and bleeding from other areas. My husband is concerned becauae it is 75 degrees in our home and I am in sweats, a winter hat, and my thick bathrobe and still freezing. Yet I have had to change my clothes twice due to being covered in sweat. I'm not sure what to do. HELP

Dr Justin Gallant ND

12/14/2017 10:59:53 pm

Hey Dawn,

It sounds like you need a naturopathic doctor!
Let me know what city you live in and I'll help you find one in your area.

Dawn link

12/15/2017 04:32:55 pm

I live in Chesterfield Michigan.

Dawn

12/15/2017 04:37:59 pm

I have also been diagnosed with carpal tunnel in both wrists, and I have trouble with my knees, hips, and lower back. I've had multiple tests done on all of them and they say there is nothing wrong with them. But my knees get so painful I can barely walk sometimes.

Dr Justin Gallant ND

12/19/2017 08:20:18 pm

I personally know Dr. Dimpi Patel.
She would be a great choice!
https://www.troynaturopathic.com/dr-dimpi-patel/

Barb Villare

11/27/2017 10:33:36 pm

Very good article but now I’m confused. I was sure I had anemia but according to latest test my wbc is 4.4; rbc is 4.14; hemoglobin 13.6; hematocrit 39.8 and Rdw12.6. However Mcv is high at 96.2 and mch is high at 32.9 so this contradicts the low iron. I think my blood is still messed up from 2 yrs of chemo for sarcoma even though I have not had a treatment in almost 1.5 years. Is this possible?

Dr Justin Gallant ND

12/14/2017 11:01:26 pm

Hey Barb,

You'd have to get ferritin or an iron panel done to see what's going on.
MCV and MCH can be elevated due to B12 deficiency.
I'd work with a naturopathic doctor to figure out what's going on.

Thanks for writing in!

Barb Villare

12/16/2017 11:18:45 pm

Thanks for the info. I had tests done on 12/6/2017. Ferritin was 50. Folate was >20. B12 was 530. I also had cholesterol test. Total was high at 224 and LDL was high at 132.
Doctor just wants me to watch what I eat and get more exercise since I've been inactive over the last 3 years with sarcoma. Not cured yet - still in lungs but original is gone. Have tests and bloodwork every 3 months since I'm now on wait and see. Working with a trainer now at gym. Thinking it might be worth finding an ND.

Again thanks.

Kathy

12/13/2017 03:16:10 pm

Ten years ago I went to the Dr with exhaustion that was my chief complaint as well I had been experiencing panic attacks which were new to me . Prior to this I never went to the Dr . I was an RN and worked at a hospital for 21 years . I was desperate to feel better so I went to my family Dr and was diagnosed with severe anxiety and severe depression!! I have spent the last ten years trying to feel well again ! I was given per 25’antidepressanrs and nothing worked In fact they made me worse . I weaned my self offf and tried every natural thing I could . All along my iron has been 8-13. . My family Dr says it’s fine . This week I saw a specialist he did blood work my iron is 6 . He said to go back to my family Doctor and get iron injections immediately!!! Three times he told me this before I left his office ! I am exhausted, I am depressed,I have restless leg syndrome, I am short of breath on exertion , heart palpitations, headache, hair dry and brittle , etc My family Dr refused to give iron injections (like I really want a needle Thanks ). She said my hgb is fine so I am fine !!! She didn’t even see me said she would see me in the new year !!! I have only gone to see my GP four times in the last five years . I know she won’t help ! Most Family doctors if not all do not see low iron as a problem! My ferritin is 6 and I feel absolutely horrible and I am told To eat more iron ! In Ontario where I live it is almost impossible to get a new Dr as there is a shortage of Drs !!! I would love to know what it feels like to have a normal ferritin level. I appreciate your article, it helped me feel that it is actually my iron despite what the family Dr . Says Thank you

Dr Justin Gallant ND

12/14/2017 11:03:13 pm

Hey Kathy,

I live in Ontario too!
It is difficult to find an MD but there are a lot of us ND's around.
Thanks for writing in, I appreciate the appreciation!

Jamie link

12/15/2017 04:54:52 pm

Hey Justin,
I have a solid 14 out of 18 iron deficiency symptoms if not 16 of 18 from your list at the top. I also have a dozen or so more symptoms. My ferritin levels are basically 265 over the last 3 years. Any chance even though it is in my blood, my body can not use it or it is not in usable form? I have not tried supplementing with iron but have tried many many other things with little to no success. Please any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I can also provide more info if needed.
Thank you!!!

Dr Justin Gallant ND

12/19/2017 08:23:40 pm

Hey Jamie,

With a ferritin that high it could mean a couple of different things.
You should work with your doctor or naturopathic doctor to get an iron panel and inflammatory markers tested.
Ferritin can be falsely elevated by inflammation.
Someone could have iron deficiency but have arthritis which falsely elevated ferritin levels.
If iron saturation is elevated in the iron panel than iron overload can cause a lot of the same symptoms as iron deficiency.
I plan on writing an article on elevated ferritin levels soon!
If you need helping a good naturopathic doctor in your area just let me know!

Tiffany Usrey

12/18/2017 03:39:11 pm

PLEASE RESPOND I TAKE 65MG IRON SUPPLEMENT PILLS AND I AM STILL COLD I NORMALLY TAKE 1BUT THE OTHER DAY I WAS STILL COLD I TOOK TWO IRON PILLS TO SEE IF IT WOULD HELP BUT DIDN'T WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ME DO

Dr Justin Gallant ND

12/19/2017 08:24:49 pm

Hey Tiffany,

First recommendation: Press CAPS lock on your keyboard to turn the caps lock off.
Secondly, it takes a while for you to store the iron that you're taking. It takes months, rather than days to notice a change in temperature.
Hypothyroidism and low blood pressure can also cause people to feel cold all of the time.

Tiffany Usrey

12/19/2017 08:40:38 pm

okay sorry about that didn't realize it I'm on my cellphone but I've been taking iron for nearly 1yr I can't sit under a ceiling fan without getting cold.

Dr Justin Gallant ND

12/23/2017 11:49:22 am

No problem,
Try working with a naturopathic doctor or your family doctor to figure out why. They should definitely test for hypothyroidism, low blood pressure and make sure your iron is actually rising.

Jamie

12/21/2017 02:58:25 pm

Hi Justin,
Interesting, i did not know about elevated iron levels with inflammation! Thank you!! I would say that is correct with myself and i look forward to reading your article on it! I took 52 mg of iron by "megafood", i can tell my body is warmer on the first dose, more energy after three days. One day of not taking it and im cold before noon that day. So would it be safe to say that even with elevated levels i should still take or can i do harm??
I feel better so fast with it. Must be good thing! I can go get blood work done if you think its necessary or suggested. I do have inflammation, eat rice and ankles hurt so much i cant walk.Have many other sensitivities. Im 38 years old and very slim and in good shape.

Dr Justin Gallant ND

12/23/2017 11:51:13 am

Hey Jamie,

If your family doctor or naturopathic doctor runs an iron panel, they'll be able to tell your iron saturation, and if you should be taking iron or not.
You can definitely do harm if your iron is high and you're taking an iron supplement.
If you feel better on it, inflammation is most likely elevating ferritin and masking anemia.
If you need help finding a naturopathic doctor in your area just let me know! They should be able to help figure things out.

Lindsey

12/29/2017 02:31:04 pm

Thank you for this wonderful article. My Ferritin is currently 29 (was 3 a year ago). I am still feeling ill with palpitations and shaking (esp at night). I was advised by my GP (in the UK) that my ferritin is ok and I can stop supplementing. My nails are still pale and my hair is dry too so I think I’ll get back on the iron having read this article. Could my Ferritin level also be contributing to an ongoing low white blood cell count too? Thank-you.

Dr Justin Gallant ND

1/4/2018 08:12:36 pm

Hey Lindsey,

Thanks for writing in!
Low iron levels can definitely contribute to low white blood cell count, especially neutropenia. Vitamin D deficiency and stress are two other possible causes.
You might want to look into hypoglycemia as a cause of palpitations and shaking, as it's very common with iron deficiency as well.
If there are naturopathic medicine is regulated in your area, you should definitely go see one so they can help you figure out what's going on. If not, try looking for a doctor who practices functional medicine.

Lindsey

1/5/2018 01:38:34 pm

Thank-you for your reply. I’m going to try a vitamin D supplement and also Vitamin B12 as last time this was measured it was 140pmol which is quite low? Thanks again

Lmt

1/8/2018 03:51:52 pm

Hi. So I'm anemic been diagnosed a year and a half ago..I take 65 mg of iron+ vitimin c every day with b12 and vitimin d.lm told if I work out and get sunshine and eat right I'll be ok.I've been having a low grade stomach ache on and off for months..Is this cuz of my iron? My hands still hurt, my hair falls out, I'm cold a lot,and tired..along with broken teeth..Hands and feet cramp up sometimes..not doing caffeine or tea anymore...Should I go back to the Dr again? Or do o need to change something else?

Dr Justin Gallant ND

1/31/2018 08:22:58 am

Hey LMT,

I'd recommend seeking out a local naturopathic doctor.
It sounds like there's quite a bit going on.
Let me know if you need help finding someone in your area.
Thanks for writing in!

Kelly

1/25/2018 08:09:06 pm

Hi, loved the article and I will be asking for my Ferritin level to be checked. I am sitting here freezing cold, under a heated blanket with the heat at 20 degrees while my husband is in a t-shirt. I have always been cold, but I am really realizing how it is ruining my quality of life! Always freezing at restaurants or work (I have a space heater under my desk and when people come in my office, they are overheated). My hair also falls out in ridiculous amounts, my husband was horrified and now I have hidden how much actually falls out because he freaks out that I need to go see a Dr. but I have and apparently nothing is wrong with me :(

Any suggestions on anyone I could go see in Saskatchewan? We live about an hour North of Saskatoon. Thanks again and if I ever end up in Ontario I will be booking an appointment.

Dr Justin Gallant ND

1/31/2018 08:30:02 am

Hey Kelly,

Thanks for your comments!
Being cold all the time can be stressful as it's constantly causing your muscles to be tense. If the muscles are tense they can send signals to the brain that you're in a stressful situation.

Here is a list of ND's in Saskatchewan:
http://www.sanp.ca/find-a-naturopathic-doctor.html
I'd take a look to see who is close enough and visit their websites to see who might be a good match. They all have the same training as I do.
Let me know if you come to Ontario for sure!

Jamie

1/30/2018 08:34:43 pm

Hi Justin,
All my family doctor will run is ferritin and cbc. My guess is that is not a full iron panel nor what you recommend for my casse, is it??? I asked if i could pay to have the full iron panel run and no was the answer. Would like to try another doctor if it may work, vs pay a naturalpath. What are your thoughts, i live in Edmonton Alberta.
Thank you sooo much!!!

Dr Justin Gallant ND

1/31/2018 08:34:11 am

Hey Jamie,

I may be a bit biased, but I think it would be a great idea to see a naturopathic doctor out there.
The naturopath will send you for whatever tests you/they feel are appropriate. Most people's work benefits cover naturopathic medicine, so check that out if you haven't yet.

Anna

2/19/2018 11:21:36 am

Hi! I have experienced pins and needles, getting out of breath when climbing stairs, muscles aches and fatigue etc etc. Finally went to doctor and was told all was well, but my ferritin is 19. My hair has also been breaking off more. My question is, in the past when I took iron for low ferritin (was 11) my saturation and other blood levels of iron went very high. My dr was concerned and thought 19 does not warrant any supplementation...I have excellent thyroid labs and have had high anti tpo's in the past but are currently at 4. Have gone gluten free. Should I take iron?

Dr Justin Gallant ND

2/21/2018 01:38:21 pm

Hey!
Thanks for writing in.
I can't advise non-patients whether to take iron or not.
You should work with a naturopathic doctor in your area, as we need to know the whole case of what's going on and interpret your labs before recommending anything.

Tam

2/27/2018 10:57:55 pm

I went to the doctor because of heart palpitations. He said that I was anemic because i was at a 10 on the blood test. He prescribed 3 ferrous sulfate 325mg tablets a day. I have been taking them and my energy has increased. The palptations are still present, more some days than others. I have not had a follow up appointment yet, but do the palpitatiins go away as iron increases? I was told to ignore them but that is hard to do? I also take vitamin d because i was told a few years back that was deficient.

Dr Justin Gallant ND

3/15/2018 03:53:35 pm

Hey Tam,

Thanks for writing in!
Glad to hear your energy has increased.
There are plenty of causes of palpitations.
Magnesium deficiency is another major cause of them.
They are definitely telling you something so shouldn't be ignored.
You should work with a naturopathic doctor, if you have any in your area. Vitamin D increases calcium levels and calcium depletes magnesium. It's estimated that half of the population is deficient in magnesium. I'm working on a palpitation article, but I find the main causes are iron deficiency, magnesium deficiency, caffeine, low blood pressure, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia and stress/anxiety

Madii

3/14/2018 03:11:20 pm

I'm so glad I came across this. My parents think that I have been staying up all night for awhile and that's why I'm always so tired which is not the case.

Carrie link

4/12/2018 08:06:19 pm

My labs showed
Hemoglobin 12.9- g/dl
Ferritin-7 ng/ml
Vitamin B12 - 324 g/ml
Folate -4.7 ng/ml
I also take thyroid medication (tests were normal 6 months ago). I had a sleep study that showed a lot of limb movement. Nurse started me on Folate and B12 vitamins (about 3 weeks now) but I am chronically tired and cold and I don't think she is listening, but keeps trying to shove anti-depressants on me. I'm not depressed-I know the difference.

What would you suggest with those findings? I don't know if its endocrinological or sleep related or if those intermix and I should see a specialist.

Thanks for the article. I know I'm not crazy now!

Dr Justin Gallant ND

4/13/2018 11:17:33 am

Hey Carrie,

Thanks for writing in!
You should definitely work with a naturopathic doctor in your area as the iron deficiency should be corrected.

It could definitely be responsible for the limb movement, tiredness and coldness.

If you need help finding an ND in your area just let me know!

Sammy

7/10/2018 10:06:07 pm

This was a eye opener read. I've had low levels since I can remember and also my children. We are always tired and our bones hurt and have no energy. When I go to the drs they always run blood test and tell me I have low iron and to take iron tablets and I feel like it's this continues cycle of going back again with symptoms and being told the same thing over and over without getting fixed! I will be definitely trying the iron bisglycinate and see if that improves.
I've been suffering heart palpations the past 2 months every night. And I'm thinking this is a big cause of the iron.
Thanks for sharing! 😊

Dr Justin Gallant ND

7/14/2018 11:42:36 am

Thanks for writing in Sammy!

Glad it was an eye-opener and I hope it helps!

Chrissy

7/16/2018 04:51:11 pm

I came across this article while looking up information on low ferritin. I have had an elevated resting heart rate, chest pains, hair loss and fatigue for several months. My hemoglobin is normal, but my ferritin is at a 13. My doctor said my iron is fine and that ferritin isn't important. Also, that I wouldn't be having symptoms with low ferritin. Everything I am reading says different. I will be starting an iron supplement to see if it helps.

Dr Justin Gallant ND

8/28/2018 04:58:34 pm

Hey Chrissy,

I've heard that several times from family doctors as well.
I've found the opposite to be true clinically though.
People feel so much better when their iron is replenished, regardless of hemoglobin levels. Ferritin is very important!
Hope the iron helps!

Rebecca Dougherty link

8/25/2018 11:52:47 am

Can you recommend a Naturopathic Doctor in Northern Virginia? Zip Code 20112

Dr Justin Gallant ND

8/28/2018 05:04:29 pm

Hey Rebecca,

Here are a couple of ND's who are trained the same as me:

http://www.lifestylephysicians.com/provider/sheeba-asad-nd

http://www.birchnaturopathic.com/drbirch.html

Mary

6/23/2019 12:20:17 am

It’s been 4 months since I am on iron supplements. It was 8 wen I started supplements and then after two months it increased to 12 and I am due to do another checkup after 2 months . I feel very exhausted easily . I take floradix in the morning and iron pill ferramax in the night daily .. I do walking and excersise too . I feel bad to get exhausted soon when my friends have all the energy asking me out . My hands go cold and sweaty too . But My doctor tells me my counts are normal

Dr Justin Gallant ND

7/25/2019 10:17:08 am

Hi Mary,

They might be "normal" according to reference ranges, but not optimal!
Try to find a good naturopathic doctor in your area for better guidance.

Carol Taylor

7/4/2019 08:45:03 am

Great Article
Thanks for it
Everyone should have you when they get a Blood Test.
Doctors are not into Properly reading a Blood Test.

Dr Justin Gallant ND

7/25/2019 10:17:59 am

Thanks for your kind words Carol!

Jan Crow

3/27/2020 05:46:36 pm

Do you happen to know of a good Naturopathic Dr in the Kansas City Area? Zip Code 66221 - KS side. Thank you and appreciate reading your advice.

Dr. Justin Gallant ND

3/29/2020 04:47:33 pm

Hi! I appreciate that!
I would check out this one:

https://naturaespath.com/naturopathic-doctor/

He has the same training as me.

D M Smith

5/2/2021 06:53:14 am

I have been anemic for as long as I can remember, and unfortunately I haven’t had a ferritin test done. My symptoms have become so normal now, that I just cope with them. I’m really looking forward to changing that this year! I need your help !!!

Jennifer

9/19/2021 01:28:44 pm

Hi Dr. Gallant, I have a ferritin level of 28 and am experiencing many symptoms including intense fatigue, weakness. I went on iron bisglycinate 100mg every other day about 3 weeks ago and don’t feel noticeably different. Is this normal?

flipflop

11/9/2021 12:03:32 am

I'm a 58-year-old vegetarian female who was anemic as a child (age 8-9). I took iron for years but quit after post-memopause numbers changed. But now I have all symptoms of anemia (cold, pale, palpitations, hair loss, ferritin 40-60) and have been taking iron biscglycinate every other day. Would like to increase to daily. How often should one be tested to prevent iron overload? What might be a good dose for someone in my situation?

Heather

2/15/2022 12:00:16 pm

Thank you so much for this detailed and informative article. It has greatly helped my understanding. Thank you for taking the time to post this.

Tanya

1/28/2023 10:26:48 am

Hello
Great article.
I developped anxiety and panic attacks for the first time in my life a year ago. Was put on antidepressants did not help so stopped tgem after eight months. Was put on ths for perimenopause helped a bit with the anxiety but still not feeling myself. I am constantly frozen, very pale, my sleep use to be good but not now. Had my bloods done, hemo at 13 but ferretine at 7. Was put on 80mg of sulphate fer and devoloped terrible anxiety and stomach problems Stopped the tablets after a week, anxiety dissapeared within 36 hours!
It seems that low ferretin could cause my anxiety but taking supplements makes tge anxiety even worse.. can this be possible ? What us the solution ?try gly iron at 25mg every other day?will this bring my levels up?
Thanks

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