Low iron

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I've had some blood tests recently because I've been feeling excessively achy and very tired. Everything has come back fine except my iron stores are at 4 which is low. The GP said I'm not actually anaemic but has prescribed iron which I need to take twice a day.

Can anyone explain what the difference is between low iron stores and anaemia please? And if I'm not anaemic then would having low iron stores cause me to feel so tired and achy all the time? I'm overweight and I'm 35 so that probably has a lot to do with it, I have no other issues with my health other than just feeling so run down.

Low iron stores means low ferritin levels and is usually caused by not eating enough foods containing iron. The tablets you've been prescribed will help but you need to make sure your diet is rich in iron (leafy greens, red meat etc).

Anaemia is very similar and probably has similar symptoms but that is when your red blood cell count is low and the iron can't attached. I'm not a medical expert but I've had anaemia a few times.