Iron deficiency without anemia vs. Iron deficiency with anemia

What is the difference between iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia?

Iron deficiency is when you do not have enough iron. This is best demonstrated via a blood ferritin test.

Ferritin is the storage depot for iron. A ferritin below 30 is generally considered iron deficiency. Most people will feel their best with a ferritin above 70.

What is anemia?

Anemia is caused by a lack of hemoglobin. You will find this on a blood test called a CBC or Complete Blood Count. Hemoglobin is crucial for health as it is a protein charged with transporting oxygen to cells and removing carbon dioxide from the body.

Anemia is the symptom of iron deficiency, iron deficiency is the actual disease.

Let's accumulate health through optimized iron levels.

#DrWholeness #AccumulateHealth #IronDeficiencyWithoutAnemia

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00:00 Iron deficiency
01:16 Iron deficiency anemia
02:43 Ferritin blood test
04:07 Sample patient lab tests
07:30 Symptoms vs lab markers
09:58 Cost of ferritin test

*The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in the video are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

[DrWholeness]

➡ Get your guide to overcoming iron deficiency

[MLHealthandLife]

Hi Dr Matt - first THANK YOU for this video and advocacy. I’m one of these gals, mid 30’s, athletic, long term SIBO, and I’m not joking when I say I lost 7 years of my life and my body is still adjusting. I saw probably 20ish providers in this 7 year period, everything from MD, to ND, Functional, Rheum, Endo and GI. My symptoms were weakness episodes, trouble breathing, anxiety, panic attacks, fatigue, massive hair loss, lower leg pain. I was a MESS. Did 10/20 Drs pull a ferritin on their own, yes! Did I ask the others to pull it, yes! What I found was (is) getting them to pull the lab is the easy part, the hard part is education…providers DO NOT understand the importance and value of ferritin, other than “you’re in range of 9-150 all is good”. Iron def symptoms mirror those of anemia, literally the same symptoms, but providers are looking at hcg and hgb and if ferritin is 9, no concerns. OMG!!! At 7 years in (just 3 years ago) I went through ALL of my medical records, Iooked for a common “theme”. I then went to NIH and started researching ferritin. The last provider I saw before my own research began said “your ferritin is 26, it’s on the low end it might be contributing.” She’s the ONLY one who ever said anything about it potentially being too low. In reviewing all of my records, ferritin ranged from 19-45 and I was on my death bed. The UK is far more advanced in iron/ferritin research and infusions. On NIH I found an amazing research article which I’ve since passed around to providers (!) to HELP educate themselves on situations like mine! The research says 30 ferritin is iron deficient (I agree), 100 ferritin is optimal (I agree) - why? Because my hair falls out at 70, my hair and anxiety and other symptoms are SO MUCH better above 100 ferritin! Everyone is different, my main comment it to not get stuck on a number, 70 might work for one person, it doesn’t work for all. I found ONE ND clinic in Seattle who offered me iv iron to get my stores up asap (was 31 ferritin at the time). Helped a ton! I went from 160 back down to 70 quickly. I’ve since had 6 iv infusions and my body is doing better and adjusting after almost a decade of running on fumes. These provides aren’t liking me above 100 though, the education to all is still the biggest hurdle I’m dealing with. I can travel across the country to a provider HEM who will do 300 ferritin no problem as the body will use it or store it, but here in Seattle area, was a nightmare to find someone to do iv iron and understand 100 ferritin. I have long term SIBO, new research shows oral iron is NOT good for SIBO it exacerbates the condition. I’m a great candidate for iv iron, it’s not cheap, I with more NDs would offer it as oral iron does not work as fast or as well for some. I plan to share my story with the world at some point, many other pieces too, a side note, guess what went away with finally having adequate iron stores? My Hashimotos! Once my ferritin maintained 80+ for 6 months (no other changes) my thyroid chilled out and I’ve been off meds. Iron is so important for thyroid function, its like a teeter totter. Ok that’s all for now, appreciate your video to help education and spread the word. If you want the NIH article let me know, it’s gold

[Jositoooo]

“CBC is run all the time but people can go years without their doctor checking their ferritin level.” I’ve been exhausted for 10+ years. Barely functional. Docs ordered several “full blood panels”, all came back normaI. I just started reading about iron, checked my records and found I’ve *never* had it checked. Went out and got a ferritin test. It was 4. You read that right: 4. Bittersweet. So grateful to have found a cause. Not happy that I suffered for 10+ years just to figure it out myself with a $12 test that I got in 5 minutes as a walk-in at a lab down the street. 😐

[ltltornado]

This actually made me cry, it was so validating. I was in the ER and nobody would take me seriously because my hemoglobin was a 10.6 even though it said ferritin = 2 and iron = 18. The PCP I went to actually laughed at me and said there's no way I'd be having symptoms with my hemoglobin that high and that it was all in my head. I never went back to her, naturally. One of the ER docs gave me a rx for iron pills but he acted angry at me for wasting his time. The pills helped a lot and now I am finally seeing a nice gastro who wants to figure out the cause. I wish you could be my doctor! ugh

[devonlashinski]

My hemoglobin is doing just fine but my ferritin is at 11.0. Just started Blood Vitality today! Can’t wait to feel like myself, it’s been too long! My symptoms have been extreme shortness of breath, fatigue, brain fog, irritable and anti social. Because of the brain fog I’ve been feeling really slow and am having trouble making decisions and thinking clearly, even talking is a chore for me. I’d much just rather keep to myself, all these things are not me and I’m excited that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that I stumbled across this guy! Thanks so much!

[peekaboo]

My ferritin level is at 23ng/ml and my doctor tells me everything is fine. In Germany the normal Ferritin levels are between 15 - 150. I have no trust in my docotor since a long time, but after this I really need to search for a new doc. I suffer from fatigue, depression, high heartrate (min 105/bpm), tinitus and I can't lose any weight. But when your are overweight and have depression, all of your symptoms are a result of this. 🙄 "You need to lose weight, then you'll feel better and your heartrate is high, because you are stressed. " I'm 39 and I feel like this since I'm 18....this can't be normal.

[barbarastentaford]

Thank you for this video, I was taken to hospital with chest and arm pain, breathlessness, light-headedness, nausea you name it and they said hemoglobin was fine but I knew to get my ferretin tested, blood work came back and I was told it was normal so I asked for the number and they said 17 which I now know isn't normal, 3 months on and I'm still bed bound with bad symptoms but I've just started iron tablets so I'm hoping they will help I'm just having a hard time believing the symptoms can be this bad without it being anemia, I honestly thought I was going to die

[angelwright]

So glad I found your blog and videos! I've had every experience from the first doctor I went to not wanting to run any blood tests, despite serious symptoms, to the last doctor running several tests and telling me everything looked fine.

I recently paid out of pocket for anemia blood work so that I could avoid the trouble of seeing a doctor all together. I have low ferritin (10) while normal on everything else. The doctors I previously saw did not have my ferritin checked. Now, thanks to your content, I have a much better understanding of the whole situation. I ordered the Blood Vitality pills and hope to see an improvement to my quality of life.

[mrsjuliebrown]

Great information in the video! I have had all the symptoms you describe in the video! I got blood work results back this morning and it appears I have iron deficiency without anemia! Hemoglobin is normal at 13.1, ferritin at 10.7, iron serum at 27, tibc at 442, uibc at 415, and saturation is 6%. Normal folate and vitamin D and B12. Hopefully my doctor will review the results this week and we can develop a treatment plan! Such a relief after years old being told "you are a tired mom in a hard season of life"

[invigil]

You are by far the best explanation on Anemia and Iron deficiency I have found after 20 videos (at least) After fealing like I was about to pass out from barely moving around I went to get my lab test done independently since I don't like dealing with doctors. I got my results today and they are atrocious. Iron 20, Ferritin, 2 (yes two) hemoglobin 8.2. I will be ordering the Blood Vitality asap!

[gracygrace.mp]

Wow, this helped me so much. My hemoglobin is currently at a 12 and my ferritin is at an 8. This helped me so so so much. I am so tired but I do have hope. I do take iron supplements but keep feeling worse. My ferritin was at a 12 two years ago. I am considering adding more meat into my diet because I hear many good things about eating lots of meat. I will bring up your points to my doctor and see what the next steps are. I believe I will feel better! Thank you, Dr. Angove!

[bobGmitter]

This happened to me. I paid for a vitamin B test and luckily it included ferritin. My ferritin was 25ug/ml. Taking Heme iron with a little copper and doing better after only 3 weeks. I was taking too much Zinc which blocked iron and copper.

[zanzah_]

After a failed big toe fusion and leg lengthening I've gone back and asked for my blood tests for the past 5 years - iron fine, Ferratin almost zero. How does a GP be so negligent?

[DalindaPerez-ffbl]

I just bought your pills!! I am excited to see change! My Dr says my labs are fine 😑. My ferritin is 16, and my iron saturation is low but all other iron, rbc, hemoglobin levels are normal. I have fatigue, anxiety throughout the night, exercise intolerance, sob with exertion, brain fog, cold feet, light headed and feel like fainting very often. I’ve had this on and of led my whole life but just recently found out my ferritin level of 16, never had it tested before. I am so hopeful to see change 😍

[ciaralopez]

Here because my hemoglobin is normal but ferritin is 6! Currently pregnant and brought up feeling anemic but was told I’m fine. I only found the ferritin because my husbands insurance makes us do extensive blood work. 🤯

[kjo]

Finally got my ferritin checked, 6ug/L. So glad to have a reason why I feel like garbage!

[Horsecentstoday]

I've doing masses of research on this topic. ...this was probably the best one I've seen.
However it's important to know exactly what ferritin is and why your body makes it
Ferritin is produced using iron that is not needed for body functions and that extra Iron is converted into ferritin and then stored in your liver for future use in case your low on dietary iron.
Men typically have a 3 year supply of ferritin ready for use.
When your deficient in dietary iron your now using ferritin to make up the difference and thus depleting your iron reserves.
After a long time your ferritin bank is empty and now you get anemia.

[Clarke]

Thanks for the video, super informative, I just ran an at home ferritin test and the result was 'normal' with the lower bar very faint but still showing. I have all the symptoms of iron deficiency and as an athletic person it is really effecting my lifestyle, not to mention work and social life. Is it possible the home test kit is wrong. Also, the range seems to be very broad, could an athletic person who is only just in the 30IU/ml range still experience symptoms? I am on a waiting list for test at doctors but that is another 3 weeks away. I should add my mother has been iron deficient for years. I'm not sure if it can run in families at all? Thanks again and best wishes from Scotland!

[ginnyadamo]

What if my hemoglobin is not only normal but slightly high? Ferritin is 8, iron saturation is 9, hemoglobin was 17

[sheainfinitypaints]

I have cronic low ferritin. I need by monthy infusions for the rest of my life. I wish there was a better way. Mine went undiagnosed for more than a year. My heart rate got so high during that time that now my heart is permanently damaged. Eje tion fraction of 40% with cardiomyopathy.