How I’m Addressing Iron Deficiency Without Just Taking Iron Supplements

When my husband Anthony and I recently ran lab work through Function Health, I was so excited to dive into the data. I love how thorough and proactive their testing is, and I often recommend services like this to others looking for a bigger picture view of their health.

But when the results came back, something interesting happened: we both got the same recommendation — take an iron supplement.

At first glance, this makes sense. We both had lab markers that pointed toward low iron status. But the further I dug into our individual results, the more I realized: our bodies were telling two completely different stories about iron.

Our Iron Lab Results: Same Nutrient, Two Different Patterns

My Results:

• Serum Iron: Very low

• Iron Saturation: Very low

• Ferritin: Low-normal

Anthony’s Results:

• Serum Iron: Normal

• Iron Saturation: Normal

• Ferritin: Very low

On paper, we were both flagged for low iron. But what I saw was this:

• Anthony's pattern looked like a simple case of not getting enough iron in the diet. His body is using what it has effectively — he just doesn't have enough in storage.

• My pattern pointed to a deeper issue: I'm struggling to mobilize and utilize iron, even though I have some stored.

Why the Same Supplement Doesn’t Work for Everyone

Even with functional testing, the recommendation was still the same: take an iron supplement. But here’s why I didn’t stop there.

Taking iron in isolation isn’t always effective. And in some cases, it can even be counterproductive if you’re not addressing the full picture of what your body needs to absorb, utilize, and transport that iron.

In my case, I likely don’t have a dietary deficiency. Instead, I have a utilization problem — and that changes everything about my protocol.

The Root Causes of Iron Imbalance

Anthony: A Storage Issue

His labs suggest a classic post-vegan pattern: low ferritin, but normal serum iron. This tells me his body is doing a good job using iron but doesn’t have enough reserves to pull from.

His solution? Rebuild iron stores through:

• Thorne’s Ferrasorb Supplement (every 2–3 days)

• Nutrient-dense animal foods like red meat, liver, and bone broth

• Retinol-rich foods to support red blood cell production

Me: A Utilization & Mobilization Issue

If I’m already eating iron-rich foods, but the body can’t absorb or mobilize that iron, it doesn’t matter how much I take.

Here's what might be at play:

• Low stomach acid (which reduces iron absorption)

• Low vitamin C (needed to convert iron into its absorbable form)

• Low copper (needed to transport iron from storage)

• Low retinol (active vitamin A) (essential for releasing iron from ferritin and making hemoglobin)

Instead of just taking more iron, I’m focusing on:

• Taking Thorne’s Ferrasorb only as needed

• Supporting stomach acid with digestive bitters and HCL

• Prioritizing copper and vitamin A with desiccated beef liver

• Pairing iron-rich meals with vitamin C to enhance absorption

Why Whole Food Sources of Iron Work Better

This is also why I’m leaning on whole food sources of iron like beef liver instead of relying heavily on isolated supplements.

Whole foods come with their own built-in synergy:

• Beef liver contains not just iron, but also copper, retinol, B12, and folate

• These nutrients work together to help your body absorb, store, and utilize iron effectively

In contrast, many iron supplements don’t contain these co-nutrients. Some even come with high levels of zinc, which can compete with iron for absorption.

When you get your nutrients from food, your body knows how to orchestrate their absorption more effectively — helping to resolve both low intake and poor utilization patterns.

Why Iron Matters So Much

Iron is about more than energy or avoiding anemia. It’s foundational to:

• Oxygen delivery (via hemoglobin)

• Cellular energy production (mitochondrial function)

• Thyroid hormone conversion (T4 to T3)

• Brain function and neurotransmitter regulation

Without enough iron, your cells can’t breathe. They can’t make energy. And that affects everything from your mood to your metabolism to your fertility.

The Bottom Line

Even with quality lab testing, you still have to dig deeper than the surface-level recommendation.

Instead of just asking, "Do I need iron?" the better question is: "Why is my iron low, and what’s the real root of it?"

• For some, it’s low intake.

• For others, it’s poor absorption or low cofactors.

• For others still, it’s inflammation, stress, or hormonal imbalance.

Whatever the reason, the answer isn’t always to simply "take more iron."

Your body deserves better than a one-size-fits-all protocol. It deserves support that honors the full story.