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Hi Reader!

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me, “My iron is low so I guess I need to pound more red meat,” I’d probably have enough money to buy a second home in Italy.

But low iron almost never means you’re not eating enough iron.

Most people (and honestly, most providers) see “low iron” and immediately assume it’s an intake problem. So they jump to recommending iron supplements, which often cause nausea, stomach pain, or make constipation way worse. And to top it off, many women STILL feel exhausted, dizzy, and foggy even with supplementation.

But one of my mentors, Dr. Heather Finley, has the best analogy: “Iron is like money – 95% of the time, it’s not an income problem, it’s a budgeting problem.”

Meaning, low iron or ferritin doesn’t usually mean you’re not getting enough – in fact, current research shows most people are eating more iron than ever right now.

What it actually means is that your body isn’t able to use, transport, or recycle iron properly.

And THIS is the part of the conversation most women are missing.

Inside my Heal Your Gut Blueprint program, this is exactly the type of detective work I help clients with – because when digestion, stress, or nutrient balance is off, your body literally cannot access the iron you already have. If you want help figuring out where you’re getting stuck, you can book a quick call and we’ll map it out together.

Okay, let’s dig in. 👇

Here are the FIRST things I look at when someone has chronically low ferritin, low blood iron, or a weird combo of low blood iron and high ferritin…

1. Stress Load (the invisible iron thief)

If you’re living life in the fast lane – under-fueled, over-exercised, or mentally stretched thin – your body flips into protective mode.

Here’s what that means for iron: Your body produces more hepcidin (your iron gatekeeper), which then:

• Blocks iron from being absorbed in the gut
• Traps iron in storage cells (like the liver)
• Makes it unavailable for energy, thyroid function, and oxygen delivery

So labs show “low iron”…but really, your body is HIDING it because it thinks you’re under attack.

This is why so many new moms, athletes, and high-stress professionals feel totally depleted but don’t respond to supplementation. Recovery can only start when that stressload is lightened.

Here’s where to start:

• Aim for 7+ hours of sleep (non-negotiable)
• Eat at regular intervals (no fasting)
• Add gentle mind-body tools like walking, breathwork, or meditation
• Replenish minerals: sodium, potassium, magnesium to start
• Ensure you’re getting nutrients that OPEN the iron gate: copper + whole food vitamin A

2. Gut Health (the part no one is talking about)

Iron is absorbed in the duodenum – the very first part of your small intestine. This process requires good stomach acid, proper bile flow, and a balanced microbiome.

So if digestion is off, infections are present, or microbes are out of balance…iron doesn’t stand a chance.

Here are a few gut-related iron roadblocks I see all the time:

✓ Gut infections

H. pylori, candida, and parasites can block or interfere with iron absorption.

✓ Poor bile flow

If bile from your liver/gallbladder isn’t flowing well:

• Fat digestion tanks
• Vitamin A absorption drops
• And without vitamin A, your body cannot effectively use iron

✓ Microbial overgrowth

Some microbes LOVE iron and will literally consume it before your body can absorb it.

This is part of the reason why so many women say, “I’ve tried everything and I’m still exhausted.” Because iron issues are rarely JUST iron issues.

If this is resonating, gut testing is your best next step – especially the GI MAP stool test, which shows:

• Whether any gut infections are present
• How balanced your microbiome is
• How well your body is digesting and absorbing
• Where iron might be getting blocked

You have to address digestion and gut balance BEFORE adding a supplement if you want results that last. (And honestly you probably won’t need a supplement at all.)

If you want support walking through this step-by-step, this is exactly what we do inside the Heal Your Gut Blueprint. You can book a quick call and we’ll go over what symptoms or labs you’re struggling to make sense of and whether this approach fits your situation.

Once we create safety, nourishment, and strong digestion, iron levels rise naturally, energy lasts all day long, and your mind stays clear.

I want to wish a very happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate and a wonderfully special week to those who don’t.

Talk soon! xoxo Grace ​​​​​ P.S. Not sure if Heal Your Gut Blueprint program is right for you? Hit reply and tell me what's been hard lately - I’ll give you honest, no-pressure support to help you decide. 💜 ​ Remember: this email is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. New here? Sign up to receive all our gut health resources in our newsletter!

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