Low iron – is your doctor telling you the truth?

Here at Supporting Balance, we are all trained and certified Root Cause Protocol (RCP) Consultants. The RCP was developed by Morley Robbins as an effective approach to health that addresses the root cause of chronic conditions and symptoms. It focuses on balancing the minerals inside the body and highlights the interplay between magnesium, copper, and iron.

In the RCP framework, iron is a very hot topic. Many of us have been told we’re low in iron (anemic) or have self diagnosed as low iron because we’re constantly tired. As iron significantly influences overall health and wellness, let’s take a look at it and go a little further….

Dangerous assumption: ‘I’m always tired, so I must be low in iron’

The RCP challenges this common belief that fatigue is directly caused by low iron. Instead, the RCP suggests that the tests performed by your local GP might not be capturing the whole picture.

Are you getting the right testing?

To test for your true iron levels, a blood test alone won’t give you the full picture. If you’ve ever been tested for low iron, we are almost certain that you will have only been tested for iron levels in your blood, and the iron in the tissues of your body will be completely missing from your diagnosis.

Your doctor/GP probably tests for serum iron and ferritin but may not routinely check other markers that provide a more comprehensive view of iron status. Most doctors won’t recommend tissue biopsy for iron testing because it’s invasive and expensive.

So how do you get the right information?

Without getting too technical, the RCP advocates for a comprehensive iron blood panel, including haemoglobin, serum iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), PLUS serum ceruloplasmin, serum copper, red blood cell (RBC) magnesium, plasma zinc, retinol (vitamin A) and storage vitamin D. This combination will highlight how iron is being transported and stored in the body and sadly, without these additional tests, GPs cannot accurately assess whether the body is managing iron effectively or if there is hidden iron overload.

You’ve probably got way more iron in your body than you realise

If you’ve ever been diagnosed as low iron or anemic (from a blood test), chances are you’ve looked into (or tried) iron supplements, iron infusions and eating a ‘high iron’ diet.
Low iron is not merely about the amount of iron in the blood but about how well the body can manage and utilise iron.

Low levels of essential minerals like magnesium and copper as well as key food-sourced vitamins such as retinol (vitamin A), disrupt iron’s proper utilisation and storage, impairing the body’s energy systems. Therefore, persistent tiredness is more likely due to iron dysregulation and the resulting mineral imbalances, rather than simply a lack of iron.

Imagine for a moment that you get a full iron panel test done, and you discover that you have actually got enough iron in your body. Because it’s not being utilised properly because you’re lacking magnesium (which is connected to stress), AND you’re adding more iron to your body with supplements or infusions, you’re probably making it worse. You’re making your body work HARDER, which is going to make you tired.

Yikes!

Addressing what appears as low iron requires a holistic approach to restore mineral balance and proper iron management inside the body.

Key takeaway: feeling tired often stems from iron mismanagement and overload, rather than deficiency.

Iron in the Body: Mainstream Medicine vs. RCP Perspective

We know that this information is pretty controversial and doesn’t align with what so many of us have been told for so long, so let’s sum it up in some bullet points:

• • In conventional medicine, iron is predominantly seen as deficient
  • Mainstream medicine tests offered are limited and one-dimensional
  • A ‘Full Monty’ blood panel is a more well-rounded approach to testing iron
  • The RCP suggests that most of us have excess iron in the body
  • The standard medical approach often overlooks the potential dangers of iron overload
  • According to the RCP, iron in the body is intricately linked to the levels of other minerals, particularly copper and magnesium
  • When these other minerals are managed carefully, energy levels can improve
  • Tired does not equal low iron

The sciency details

Now that we understand that we’ve probably got excess iron, and not the other way around (as we have been led to believe) let’s look at some of the specifics. You might find that some of this information is clear, and other parts might take some time before they make sense – if that’s the case please know that it’s totally okay.

Iron + Mineral Imbalance:

According to the RCP, the body’s ability to manage iron (aka iron metabolism) is closely related to copper and magnesium levels. Copper is essential for the proper function of ceruloplasmin, an enzyme that helps regulate iron by facilitating its incorporation into haemoglobin and its safe storage. A deficiency in bioavailable copper can impair ceruloplasmin activity, leading to iron mismanagement and accumulation in tissues. Similarly, magnesium plays a vital role in regulating the activity of enzymes involved in iron metabolism. Low magnesium levels can disrupt this balance, further exacerbating iron dysregulation.

Iron Overload + Oxidative Stress:

The RCP suggests that excess iron can contribute to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a term used to describe an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Excess iron catalyses the formation of free radicals, leading to cellular damage and inflammation. Put simply, oxidative stress is rust inside the body, iron + oxygen. Oxidative stress is a root cause of many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and even cancer. With this understanding, you can see why we recommend understanding and addressing iron levels accurately.

Iron + Ferritin:

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled manner, and should be inside the cell. In the RCP, elevated ferritin levels in the serum (NOT inside our cells) is often misinterpreted as a sign of sufficient iron stores. However, high ferritin can indicate inflammation and iron dysregulation rather than adequate iron reserves. Ferritin should be interpreted alongside other markers such as serum iron, transferrin, and ceruloplasmin to get a comprehensive picture of iron status and balance.

If you would like to dig into the science a bit more, click here for a glossary of key RCP scientific terms.

So what can we do?

Besides working directly with a consultant to get testing done to understand the full picture of your iron levels, here are a few things to consider for managing iron levels and your overall mineral balance:

1. Magnesium Supplementation

Magnesium is a cornerstone of the RCP. We need adequate magnesium intake to support the enzymatic processes involved in iron metabolism and to help mitigate oxidative stress. Magnesium can be obtained through diet (e.g., leafy greens, nuts, seeds) and supplementation. Read more about recommended magnesium types and dosages.

2. Increasing Copper

Ensuring adequate copper intake is crucial for maintaining ceruloplasmin function and proper iron metabolism. You might like to consider dietary sources of copper (such as liver, shellfish, and whole grains) in your diet, and, if necessary, supplements to enhance copper bioavailability. We suggest working with a member of our team before launching into copper supplements so we can take a look at the bigger picture together. You can read more about bioavailable copper here.

3. Dietary Adjustments

Regardless of iron status, we encourage all of our clients to consume a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods, particularly those high in antioxidants, to combat oxidative stress and support overall mineral balance. Small dietary changes can impact your iron status in a positive way. If you thought you were low in iron before reading this, you might have consumed excessive amounts of red meat and iron-fortified products. Now that you know better, you can make better choices. Remember, that the red meat/iron-fortified food advice was based on the one-dimensional understanding of ‘low iron’ which you now understand is misleading and somewhat dangerous. We recognise that this might sound contradictory to what you might have heard in the past, and it can take some time to wrap your head around, so be kind to yourself!

4. Phlebotomy

In cases of significant iron overload, an RCP practitioner may suggest therapeutic phlebotomy (blood donation) as a means to reduce iron levels. This practice can help lower excess iron and reduce oxidative stress, promoting better health outcomes. If you aren’t sure, please speak with a Practitioner for more specific guidance. 

Ultimately, we’re interested in a holistic approach to managing iron and overall mineral balance in the body. We are not interested in looking at the surface, or taking one-dimensional pieces of information as total truth. By focusing on the interplay between iron, copper, and magnesium, and addressing factors that contribute to oxidative stress and mineral imbalances, our goal is to unwind underlying root causes of chronic health issues. We really hope this article highlights the importance of a balanced and informed approach if you’re working towards optimal health.

Want to learn more?

We are here to guide you on your journey to better health and we’d love to support you with your next steps.

If you’d like to learn more about ways to improve health naturally (which absolutely includes food), we’d love to share some more info with you. We regularly host online presentations on healthy food and health related topics. You can see our upcoming webinar or look through our webinar archive here.

If you need more personalised health and wellness guidance, our team of consultants are extremely knowledgeable and passionate about natural health. We can help you experience more energy, better sleep and reduce your health-condition-related symptoms. You can find out more here about consults we offer, and you can book a free consult advice call to discuss your options.

Here’s to better health today, tomorrow and into the future.