Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies seen in naturopathic practice. It can affect anyone—especially menstruating women, athletes, and individuals with digestive concerns.
While it’s often associated with fatigue, the symptoms can go far beyond tiredness. Many people with low iron experience mood changes, cognitive challenges, or even cravings for unusual substances—all of which can be signs the body is lacking this essential mineral.
Common Causes of Iron Deficiency
Naturopathic doctors take a whole-body approach to uncovering why someone is iron deficient. Common root causes include:
- Low dietary intake (especially in plant-based or low-meat diets)
- Celiac disease and other malabsorption issues
- H. pylori infection (a common stomach bacteria)
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Increased demands (e.g. in female athletes or during pregnancy)
Identifying and treating the root cause helps ensure long-term success—not just temporary symptom relief.
How to Test for Iron Deficiency
The most useful lab test for iron stores is ferritin, a protein that reflects how much iron your body has in reserve.
- Most naturopathic doctors aim for a minimum ferritin level of 50 µg/L
- For female athletes or those with severe symptoms, optimal levels may be closer to 100 µg/L
Ferritin levels within the "normal" lab range may still be too low for optimal function—especially if symptoms persist.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Iron Deficiency
Iron is vital for energy, mood, and brain function. Low levels can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:
Early Symptoms:
- Fatigue and low energy
- Brain fog or reduced concentration
- Difficulty multitasking
- Restlessness or irritability
- Depressive or anxious mood
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
More Advanced Symptoms:
- Pale or sallow skin
- Brittle nails, dry hair and skin
- Pagophagia – craving or chewing ice
- Cravings for non-food items (like dirt or clay)
- Shortness of breath during exercise
- Low exercise tolerance
- Insomnia
- Restless leg syndrome
When Iron Deficiency Mimics Mental Health Disorders
Low iron can impact brain function and neurotransmitter balance, which may present as anxiety, depression, or low motivation. It’s not uncommon for patients to be treated for mood disorders when the actual root cause is a simple nutrient deficiency.
This is why functional lab testing and whole-person care are so essential in naturopathic medicine.
How Naturopathic Medicine Approaches Iron Deficiency
Treatment typically includes:
- Identifying and treating root causes (e.g. gut health, menstruation, diet)
- Targeted iron supplementation when necessary (in forms less likely to cause constipation or digestive upset)
- Nutritional guidance to increase iron-rich and iron-enhancing foods
- Ongoing monitoring of ferritin and other related markers
Naturopathic care also looks at co-factors like vitamin C, B12, and folate, which help support iron absorption and utilization.
Final Thoughts
Iron deficiency is more common than you might think—and its symptoms can impact everything from mood to memory to motivation. If you’ve been feeling off and haven’t found answers, checking your iron status could be a vital step toward reclaiming your health.
Consider reaching out to a licensed naturopathic doctor for comprehensive testing and individualized support. Iron levels are just one piece of the puzzle—but a very important one.
