BFing and slight iron deficiency, linked?

[FairMidden]

I have been BFing DS for 2 years and 5 days now and I recently had some bloods done for another reason and it was noted that I have a mild iron deficiency.

I've never been low on iron before, even during pregnancy, and I eat a reasonable amount of iron-rich foods. I do drink too much tea though. I feel fine - no more tired than usual - so I'm not worried. Just curious about whether this may relate to BFing and I can't seem to find anything related on kellymom.

tea and coffee can inhibit iron uptake. As can dairy and whol;e grain foods. Can't type aymore as Ss kilig each other.

FairMidden - you could ask doc or practice nurse. Do you have heavy/heavier periods? Bf is generally reckoned to be protective of a woman's iron status because it suppresses menstruation, but this might not apply to you now.

Thanks for the responses.

The doctor was quite dismissive - the iron thing was an incidental finding and doesn't seem to be of any significance. I did mention breastfeeding as a possible contributor but she didn't really say anything on the subject. Just that I should eat some black pudding ...

I try to avoid tea with meals but I have been drinking a lot less orange juice recently because DS always wants more of it than I would like him to have - so I may have to start drinking it from a mug with my meals!

Although when they started again (just over a year ago) I had really heavy periods, they're settling down now and aren't anything major.

Could be the heavy periods to blame, FM, and you may getting back to normal now. Maybe you were more deficient in iron a few months ago.

Good point tiktok. Ah well, venison burgers for dinner anyway ...