Iron deficiency in women happens when iron stores fall too low to produce enough healthy red blood cells — causing persistent fatigue, brain fog, and breathlessness. A simple blood test, checking your ferritin alongside a full blood count, confirms it.
Iron deficiency in women occurs when the body’s iron stores fall too low to produce enough healthy red blood cells. It is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in women of reproductive age — and it can cause persistent fatigue, brain fog, and breathlessness. A simple blood test confirms the diagnosis.
What Is Iron Deficiency?
Iron deficiency occurs when your body does not have enough iron to function properly. Iron is essential for producing haemoglobin — the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to your muscles, brain, and organs.
When iron stores run low, your body cannot make enough healthy red blood cells. Over time, this can progress to iron deficiency anaemia.
Two key terms to know:
Ferritin — the protein that stores iron in your body. A low ferritin result is the earliest sign of iron depletion, often appearing before symptoms start.
Haemoglobin (Hb) — reflects your red blood cell count. This drops at the more advanced anaemia stage.
Iron Deficiency vs Iron Deficiency Anaemia — What Is the Difference?
Many women are told they have ‘low iron’ without understanding what that actually means. Here is a clear comparison:
| Iron Deficiency | Iron Deficiency Anaemia | |
|---|---|---|
| What it means | Low iron stores (low ferritin) | Low iron + low haemoglobin |
| Blood test result | Low ferritin, normal Hb | Low ferritin + low Hb count |
| Symptoms | Can be mild or absent | More pronounced fatigue, pallor, breathlessness |
| Treatment | Dietary changes or oral iron | Oral iron supplements or iron infusion |
| Stage | Early — easier to treat | More advanced |
Both conditions are diagnosed with a blood test. Your GP will check your ferritin and full blood count (FBC) together to understand which stage you are at.
Why Are Women More at Risk of Low Iron?
Women face greater iron demands than men for several biological reasons.
Heavy or prolonged periods are one of the leading causes of iron depletion. Blood loss during menstruation directly reduces iron stores every month, and for women with conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids, that loss can be significant.
Pregnancy also increases iron requirements substantially — iron supports the growing placenta and baby, and blood loss during birth can lower levels further in the postpartum period.
Additionally, vegetarian and vegan diets can make it harder to maintain iron levels. Plant-based iron (non-haem iron) is absorbed less efficiently than the iron found in meat and fish. However, with the right food combinations — particularly pairing iron-rich foods with vitamin C — it is still achievable.
According to the World Health Organization, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder worldwide. In Australia, it is estimated that around 1 in 8 women of reproductive age have iron deficiency.
What Are the Signs of Low Iron in Women?
Iron deficiency develops slowly, which makes the signs easy to dismiss or attribute to stress, poor sleep, or a busy lifestyle. Common signs include:
- Persistent fatigue — feeling exhausted even after a full night of sleep
- Brain fog — difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Shortness of breath — particularly during activity that used to feel easy
- Pale skin — a sign your blood is carrying less oxygen than usual
- Brittle nails or unusual hair loss
- Heart palpitations — a racing or pounding heartbeat
- Restless legs — an uncomfortable urge to move your legs, often at night
- Frequent headaches
These symptoms overlap with many other conditions — including thyroid issues, vitamin D deficiency, and burnout. For this reason, the only reliable way to confirm iron deficiency is a blood test, not symptoms alone.
What Causes Iron Deficiency in Women?
There is rarely just one cause. Common causes we see at Athena Women’s Clinic include:
- Heavy or prolonged periods — one of the most common causes of chronic iron depletion in women
- Pregnancy and the postpartum period — iron demands rise significantly; blood loss at birth can lower levels further
- Dietary factors — vegetarian and vegan diets can make it harder to get enough absorbable iron
- Gut absorption issues — conditions such as coeliac disease prevent the body from absorbing iron properly, even from supplements or a good diet
- Frequent blood donation — regular donors may deplete iron stores over time
How Is Iron Deficiency Treated?
Treatment depends on how low your levels are, what is causing the deficiency, and how well your body absorbs iron. Options include:
Dietary changes — increasing iron-rich foods such as red meat, legumes, tofu, leafy greens, and fortified cereals. Pairing these with vitamin C (citrus, capsicum) helps the body absorb more iron. Avoid tea and coffee with meals, as these can block absorption.
Oral iron supplements — effective for mild-to-moderate deficiency. However, they can cause digestive side effects, and it may take several months to restore levels.
Iron infusion — delivers iron directly into the bloodstream in a single GP-led clinical session. An infusion may be recommended when:
- Oral iron is not tolerated due to side effects
- Iron is not being absorbed properly (for example, due to coeliac disease)
- Levels need to be restored quickly — such as before or after pregnancy
At Athena Women’s Clinic, Dr. Kavipriya Soma provides GP-led iron infusion services in Perth. All infusions follow a blood test and consultation to confirm they are right for you.
Athena Women's Clinic works alongside our sister clinics. For regenerative skin, hair & body treatments see Athena Wellness; for pregnancy & pelvic imaging see Athena Women's Ultrasound.
