06/12/2025
While iron is crucial in pregnancy, taking iron supplements isn’t simple.
Here’s a checklist to consider before taking iron in pregnancy:
1. Check for infections beyond the basics. If you have gut issues, any vaginal symptoms, recurring infections, immune issues, periodontal/ gum infection — these are signs to test further
2. Do a full iron panel with other important markers:
– Saturation: best indicator of iron availability.
– TIBC: rises with deficiency, drops with inflammation.
– B12 + folate: deficiencies mimic iron deficiency anaemia.
– Copper + zinc: needed for haemoglobin formation and red blood cell production.
3. Test CRP for inflammation. Signs of inflammation can look like skin flares, joint pain, recurring infections, bloating
4. Consider your trimester and symptoms. Dizziness, fatigue, breathlessness, ice cravings, restless legs worse at night all point to iron deficiency.
If you do supplement, choose a bioavailable form of iron like iron bisglycinate or citrate, and take it daily away from coffe, tea, calcium and zinc. Pairing with lactoferrin increases absorption. Re-test in 3–4 weeks and adjust.
For our cilents, we prescribe different forms and delivery systems of iron such as tablets, lozenges and compounded creams which is makes a huge difference to improving levels.
And if you’re considering an iron infusion, keep an eye out for Part 2, I break down when they’re truly needed and how to time them safely.
