Iron is essential for transporting oxygen, supporting your immune system, and fuelling energy. Yet iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. Its causes are varied, and symptoms - like fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, or frequent infections - are often subtle. Proper testing is needed to understand your iron status.

Red blood cells carry iron throughout the body

The reasons for high and low iron levels are varied and require pathological investigation.

Iron needs change with pregnancy

For advice on iron needs, your status and supplementation clarity, seek naturopathic or dietary advice.

Iron deficiency can result from several factors. Diets low in absorbable iron, such as plant-based diets, can lead to a deficit. Life stages like pregnancy, childhood growth, or athletic training increase iron needs. Gut conditions such as IBS, IBD, or post-bariatric surgery, along with dietary inhibitors like phytates or tannins, can reduce absorption. Chronic blood loss from heavy menstruation, peptic ulcers, or gastrointestinal bleeding also contributes.

Chronic inflammation, caused by autoimmune conditions, obesity, cardiovascular disease, infections, parasites, or cancer, can lead to functional iron deficiency. In this state, the hormone hepcidin traps iron in the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Even if total body iron is adequate, the functional iron needed for red blood cell production is unavailable, sometimes creating “haemochromatosis-like” symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, or elevated ferritin.

Systemic inflammation can block iron absorption and also present as iron overload.

Choosing the right form of iron is key.

Iron glycinate or bisglycinate is highly absorbable and gentle on the gut, making it ideal for sensitive digestion, long-term use, functional iron deficiency, or fatigue.

Shop Iron Glycinate/Bisglycinate

Beef liver capsules provide heme iron along with B12, folate, and copper, and are suitable for mild deficiency or those preferring whole-food sources.

Shop Beef Liver Capsules

Ferrous salts absorb quickly and are useful in severe anemia but often cause nausea, constipation, and gut inflammation which is why I don’t prescribe or recommend this form (think Ferrograd-C).

Polymaltose is a slow-release, gut-friendly option, suitable for sensitive digestion, IBS/IBD, and children.

It’s important to know that oral iron absorption is limited - typically around 1–2 mg at a time. Large doses often remain unabsorbed in the gut, causing inflammation, dysbiosis, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, cramps, constipation, or diarrhea.

Intravenous iron infusions are commonly used when oral iron is ineffective, poorly tolerated, or rapid correction is required. This includes severe anaemia, pre-surgery preparation, malabsorption due to gut conditions, or functional iron deficiency that persists despite supplementation. Clinical studies show IV iron can quickly raise hemoglobin, reduce the need for transfusions, and improve anemia-related outcomes in surgical, cancer, and chronic disease settings. Modern IV formulations can have adverse side effects such as fatigue, inflammation, infections and require monitoring for things like allergic reactions or electrolyte changes.

Because iron status is complex, testing both stored and functional iron is essential before starting supplementation.

Too much iron can be the result of genetics (haemochromotosis), or the wrong form can cause toxicity, inflammation, or worsen gastrointestinal symptoms.

As an Integrative Naturopath in Byron Bay, I specialise in investigating the root causes of iron imbalance - diet, absorption issues, chronic blood loss, or functional deficiency - so you get safe, personalised, and effective support.

Find out what is best for you

Stop guessing about your iron. Book an online appointment today to get clarity and personalised guidance for your iron health.