The Serum Iron tests done by your GP or hospital are not very comprehensive as they only test for Iron in the blood, not the four additional markers that will give you a full picture of your iron status.  Start by doing the five-point iron test from Medichecks https://www.medichecks.com/products/iron-deficiency-check-blood-test which you can do at home with a finger prick which includes the following:

• Serum Iron
• TIBC
• Transferrin saturation
• Ferritin

Ferritin, which is storage iron, alone is not adequate.  While low Ferritin can occur with low Iron, low Ferritin can also occur with high Iron due to the MTHRF mutation, which causes the body not to break down the Iron for use, so it goes higher than it should and storage iron goes down.

Ensure that you stop taking Iron supplements for five days to see your true iron levels.

Optimising your iron levels is essential for optimal thyroid function.  If Iron is low you will struggle with low energy on any form of thyroid medication as it will cause high Reverse T3. Additionally, low Iron will also lower cortisol levels.

Low Iron test results will result in symptoms that mimic hypothyroidism such as depression, achiness, easy fatigue, weakness, faster heart rate, palpitations, loss of sex drive, hair loss and/or foggy thinking, etc, causing a patient to think their thyroid medication is not working.

High Ferritin can point to inflammation and high Ferritin, high Serum Iron, and high Saturation can be an indicator of hemochromatosis, a genetic mutation.

It is essential to pay attention to Gut Healing because being hypothyroid can result in low stomach acid production, leading to malabsorption of iron.  Additionally, candida overgrowth or leaky gut can also lead to low iron.

Gluten intolerance can cause inflammation which may also contribute to  lower iron, so reducing grains and using alternatives such as Spelt may help.

Additionally, MTHFR, the inability to convert B-Vitamins in food to the active form may cause High Iron with Low Ferritin and TIBC in around 330 or higher.  Stop the Thyroid Madness recommends a TIBC in the low 300’s.

Iron Supplements

Do not supplement Iron without having had your five test results indicating that you require it because Iron can become extremely toxic to every organ in the body.  Iron supplements can potentially lead to hidden inflammatory conditions.

Iron tablets prescribed by your GP or hospital are the worst supplements you can take for your health.  Stop taking Iron supplements because Fe shuts down Copper metabolism causing Iron toxicity and oxidisation of the liver compromising liver function.  High Iron can lead to high oestrogen.

Eating calves liver is the best way to boost bioavailable copper, iron, and folate.  But if you don’t like eating liver you can blend small pieces into a smoothie.

If you want to take a supplement Organic Beef Liver capsules are the best.  Iron Bisglycinate causes less consitpation than standard iron tablets, and there is also Ferric Pyrophosphate or SunActive Iron, and Proferrin ES Heme Iron Polypeptide.  You can also try vegetable based nonheme liquid iron which is less absorbable than animal based iron so you may need to take more.

You would need to take 150 to 200 mg of elemental iron daily, spread over three times a day with meals.  Check the label to see how much ‘elemental iron’ is in each capsulre or tablet.

Avoid taking Iron supplements at the same time as thryoid mediction, as the Iron wil bind to some of the thyroid hormones.

Food Sources of Iron

Here are the top healthy iron-rich foods:

1. Spinach
2. Liver
3. Lentils
4. Spirulina
5. Sardines
6. Black Beans
7. Pumpkin Seeds
8. Tofu
9. Beef
10. Eggs

If you’re looking to naturally increase your iron levels, here are some effective dietary and lifestyle changes you can make:

---

1. Eat Iron-Rich Foods

There are two types of dietary iron:

• Heme iron (easily absorbed) – Found in animal-based foods.
• Non-heme iron (less easily absorbed) – Found in plant-based foods.

Best Heme Iron Sources (Most Absorbable)

• Calves Liver from your local butcher;
• Organic Beef Liver capsules;
• Red meat (beef, lamb, venison);
• Organ meats (liver, kidney, heart);
• Poultry (chicken, turkey, duck); and
• Seafood (oysters, clams, mussels, sardines, tuna).

Best Non-Heme Iron Sources (Plant-Based)

• Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard, Nettle)
• Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans)
• Tofu & Tempeh (great for vegetarians)
• Nuts & Seeds (pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds)
• Whole grains (quinoa, fortified cereals, oats, brown rice)
• Dried fruits (apricots, prunes, raisins)
• Dark chocolate (at least 70% cacao)

---

2. Pair Iron with Vitamin C for Better Absorption

Vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-heme iron.  If using a supplement use Acerola powder. You can also try combining iron-rich foods with:

• Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruits)
• Bell peppers
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
• Pineapple
• Kiwi

Example Meal Idea:
Lentil salad with lemon juice or sautéed spinach with red bell peppers.

---

3. Avoid Iron Blockers at Mealtime

Certain foods and drinks inhibit iron absorption, especially when consumed with iron-rich meals:

• Tea & Coffee (high in tannins, which reduce absorption)
• Calcium-rich foods (milk, cheese, yogurt)

Tip: Drink tea/coffee at least 1-2 hours before or after meals to maximize iron absorption.

---

4. Cook with Cast Iron Cookware

Cooking acidic foods (like tomato sauce) in a cast iron skillet can increase the iron content of your meals by transferring small amounts of iron into your food.

---

5. Try Natural Iron-Boosting Herbs

Certain herbs and natural remedies can support iron levels:

• Nettle tea – High in iron and vitamin C
• Dandelion root – Supports iron absorption
• Yellow dock root – Traditionally used for iron deficiency
• Moringa powder – Extremely rich in iron and vitamins

---

6. Optimize Gut Health

A healthy gut ensures better nutrient absorption. Support digestion with:

• Probiotic foods (yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi)
• Prebiotic foods (garlic, onions, bananas)
• Apple cider vinegar (can help with stomach acid production for better iron absorption)

---

7. How Much Iron do I Need?

The amount of iron you need changes based on your age. The recommended daily amounts of iron are as:

• Birth to 6 months: 0.27 mg
• Infants 7 to 12 months: 11 mg
• Children ages 1 to 3 years: 7 mg
• Children ages 4 to 8 years: 10 mg
• Children ages 9 to 13 years: 8 mg
• Teen boys ages 14 to 18 years: 11 mg
• Teen girls ages 14 to 18 years: 15 mg
• Pregnant teens: 27 mg
• Breastfeeding teens: 10 mg
• Adult men 19 to 50 years: 8 mg
• Adult women 19 to 50 years: 18 mg
• Pregnant women: 27 mg
• Breastfeeding women: 9 mg
• Adults 51 years and older: 8 mg

---

Further Information

The dangers of Iron overload: https://www.sott.net/article/263834-The-iron-elephant-The-dangers-of-iron-overload More about the dangers: https://raypeat.com/articles/articles/iron-dangers.shtml