Your lab report says "normal," but your body says something's off. That disconnect is exactly why we're talking about iron in a more useful way than the usual anemia checklist. I'm Dr. Sheri Erwin, and I'm walking you through five things I want every woman to understand about iron status, so you can stop guessing and start having clearer, more productive conversations with your healthcare provider.

We unpack the most common trap: assuming a normal CBC and hemoglobin means iron is fine. I explain how iron deficiency can show up before anemia, why ferritin reflects iron stores, and why ferritin is not a single magic target number for fatigue, hair loss, brain fog, or restless legs. You'll hear how inflammation can change ferritin, why clinicians often look at additional iron studies like serum iron, TIBC, and transferrin saturation, and how to interpret labs in the context of real symptoms.

Then we move to the question that matters most: why is iron low in the first place? We talk through common root causes in women, including heavy or changing periods in perimenopause, low dietary iron intake, absorption issues tied to gut health, and why new iron deficiency after menopause deserves a careful look. I also share why more iron is not always better, what side effects to watch for, and the three questions to ask before starting any supplement: Do I need it, how much do I need, and how will I know it's working?

If you're tired of being told everything looks fine when you don't feel fine, press play. Follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more women can find these conversations.

Start Here: Take the Healthspan Baseline quiz. About three minutes, covering energy, brain fog, mood, sleep, and long-term health patterns. You'll see where to focus and receive a one-page guide: 👉 https://rootremedyic.involve.me/next-decades-healthspan-quiz

Personalized Care: I work with women in AZ, CO, FL, ID, KY, MT, OR, WA, and WY through Root & Remedy Integrative Care. We start with a Health Consultation, then I select labs based on your symptom pattern and send you a written Next Steps Plan within 72 hours: 👉 https://www.rootremedyic.com/work-with-me

Courses & Digital Guides: Not in a state I serve? Browse self-paced courses and clinically written guides on hormones, energy, sleep, cortisol, and gut health:
 👉 https://www.rootremedyic.com/guides
👉 https://www.rootremedyic.com/foundations

Explore More: Find all links, resources, and ways to connect:
 👉 https://linktr.ee/rootremedyic