Ep. 229 - Iron Deficiency Anemia: a women's health epidemic with Dr. Fiona Lovely

If you've been chalking up your exhaustion, brain fog, and irritability to "just another day in perimenopause," Dr. Fiona Lovely is here to challenge that assumption. In this loved solo episode, she shines a much-needed spotlight on iron deficiency anemia—a condition that affects billions worldwide and is disproportionately common in women, yet frequently overlooked by conventional medicine.

Dr. Lovely walks listeners through the telltale signs: fatigue, mood swings, hair loss, cold intolerance, and cracked lips at the corners of the mouth. Sound familiar? These symptoms are so easily dismissed as normal menopausal woes, but they may point to something far more treatable. She explains why women in the menopause transition are particularly vulnerable—thanks to heavy menstrual bleeding—and why iron debt can persist for years even after periods stop.

The episode provides a thorough breakdown of the lab work that actually matters, moving far beyond the standard CBC. Dr. Lovely lists the markers every woman should request, including ferritin, transferrin, and TIBC, and explains why many doctors miss the full picture. She also covers the best dietary sources of iron, the difference between heme and non-heme iron, and practical strategies to boost absorption—like pairing iron with vitamin C and avoiding coffee or calcium around supplement time.

This is not a quick fix, but with the right testing, the right supplements, and patience, energy can be restored. As Dr. Lovely reminds listeners, if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Be the squeaky wheel.

Episode Highlights:

The common symptoms of iron deficiency that are often mistaken for perimenopause.

Why ferritin is the first marker to drop and what it reveals about your iron stores.

How proton pump inhibitors and low stomach acid sabotage iron absorption.

The surprising iron-rich foods that outrank beef liver, including clams and oysters.

Why replenishing iron takes time—often a year or more—and which supplements are gentler on digestion.

Tune in and learn why that relentless fatigue might not be "just menopause" after all—and how to finally reclaim your energy.

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