Why You Should Ask Your Doctor About An Iron Test

Nearly 40% of Young Women May Be Iron-Deficient 

Important because the amount of iron in your body affects your energy, mood, focus, physical endurance, immunity, and more. For the first time in history, according to the New York Times, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) is recommending that reproductive-age women get their iron levels checked regularly.

Wait, I think I’m anemic.

Well, iron deficiency and anemia aren’t the same. The key role of iron is to make hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that helps transport oxygenated blood throughout the body). Roughly 70% of the iron in your body is found in hemoglobin. The rest is either stored for later as a protein called ferritin or used for other functions, according to Angela Weyand, MD, a pediatric hematologist and oncologist at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. 

When you don’t have enough available iron, the body directs its reserves to keep making hemoglobin. But if it runs out of those, the production of hemoglobin drops, aaand that’s when you get anemia.

Okay, maybe not, but there’s definitely something up.

Even before it reaches the level of anemia, iron deficiency can cause fatigue, difficulty exercising, poor focus, and irritability, according to Weyand. “We know that iron is required for many different processes in the body outside of making red blood cells, so any amount of iron deficiency may cause symptoms,” says Weyand. 

Your move

If you’re experiencing any potential symptoms, ask your doctor about a test. “If you're feeling tired all the time, you have to figure out why,” says Hope Ricciotti, MD, an OB-GYN at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Screening is particularly crucial for those who have heavy periods or follow a vegan or vegetarian diet.

 

Specify that you’d like a ferritin test at your next checkup. It measures the amount of iron-storing protein in your blood and is the best way to look for iron deficiency, according to FIGO. (Your insurance may or may not cover it.) 

Click here for a deeper dive into iron deficiency.

We asked you to vote on a question you’d like answered. The winner was:

What’s the best decongestant — that actually works?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Craig K. Svensson, PharmD, PhD

Dean emeritus of pharmacy and professor of medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology at Purdue University

“There are two choices: Oral pseudoephedrine [behind-the-counter Sudafed], [and] decongestant nasal spray. Both are effective for reducing nasal congestion. You simply must ask at the pharmacy counter for pseudoephedrine and show your driver’s license. Unfortunately, the amount of phenylephrine [the active ingredient in over-the-counter decongestants] that gets into your bloodstream after taking orally is not enough to work as a decongestant (it works fine as a nasal spray).

“Care must be taken when using decongestant nasal sprays as overuse can cause a worsening of congestion. On the other hand, oral pseudoephedrine acts as a mild stimulant and may keep [you] awake at night. A good option is to take a 12-hour pseudoephedrine product orally in the morning and use a nasal spray (such as Afrin or a similar product) before bed.”

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. 

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Forward this to a friend. Click here.

Latoya Shauntay Snell

Credentials: Athlete, marathon runner, body-positive advocate, founder of the inclusive food and fitness platform Running Fat Chef, and host of the “Running Fat Chef” podcast

Where to follow: @iamlshauntay and @runningfatchef on Instagram

Why we follow: If your IG feed is missing a dose of honesty and realism, this is your chance to add it. Other than collecting race medals like spare change, Snell posts about everything from being a plus-sized athlete and a “back of the pack” marathon runner to living with chronic illnesses and her mental health struggles. 

As she put it in one post, “I am everything that people said a runner CANNOT be: I move super slow, plus sized, take walk breaks … [and] oftentimes come in last place and do it while chronically ill.” You’ll find content about what fellow runners can expect at popular races and venues and unfiltered depictions of living in a marginalized body. This often means you’ll see Snell acknowledging short-term insecurities alongside embracing long-term pride and gratitude for what her body can do.

Here are today's recs for a life well-lived.

1. A massage-candle-turned-body-oil that’ll set the mood.

This sultry signature candle is made from skin-hydrating ingredients that turn into a silky body oil as it melts — and adds some spark to solo or partner intimacy. PS: Skimm’rs get 15% off $60+ orders with GETMAUDE-60.*

2. A floss you'll actually look forward to using every day.

Cocofloss is infused with coconut oil for a smooth, comfortable glide and comes in yummy flavors like Cara Cara orange. We can't get enough of this cute (and giftable) Happiness Set.

3. Hemp extract patches to help with your next hot flash.

For those who experience sudden overheating or night sweats, these can be helpful in reducing symptoms.

"Pomodoro Technique"

— A time-management method for getting out of the perfectionism-procrastination loop. Sans tomatoes.