Will treating iron deficiency help me lose weight?

[Tootiredallthetime]

I’ve been struggling with low iron since having children 5 years ago. Over this time I’ve developed a long list of health problems including insomnia, 2 stone weight gain, restless legs/ sore muscles, tinnitus, headaches / migraines with aura, dizziness and vertigo (also cosmetic issues like flaky nails, hair falling out). My memory is very poor and I have to work very hard processing information. I also have PCOS.

I’ve been taking prescription 300mg iron for years, every few days because I can’t stomach daily. Plus the liquid spatone and well woman which has iron. I have had an incredibly healthy diet this last year (wholegrain lowish carbs/ I avoid ultra processed food, plentiful veg/fruit red meat and fatty fish, olive oil, full fat dairy, limit sugar, calories 1600-2000 per day).

Despite the oral supplements and healthy diet, I continue to have low iron and many symptoms of iron deficiency. My GP has finally conceded that I am unable to absorb oral iron, so he has referred me for an iron infusion (which I have to partly pay for).

My question is, will the infusion work for which symptoms and will it help with weight loss? I’m struggling to find evidence as weight gain is not one of the symptoms on NHS website. I know it sounds vain, but I’m obese and really depressed about it and desperate to lose weight. Of course I hope it will help with the other symptoms, which I’m sort of used to now so bother me less than the weight which I can’t get used to (I know that sounds ridiculous but I’ve just kind of accepted them and can’t remember what it’s like to feel normal!)

If you still actively have pcos (confirmed by a scan) then this will not be helping the weight issue. You can request to try Metformin for this which does work for some people for the symptoms of pcos including weight gain. It's not for everyone as it can give you stomach issues at the start, you can ask for prolonged release which combats this.

Wow this is very interesting. My weight has crept up and up and up over the years and I do have diagnosed hypothyroidism that is supposedly within the correct levels but the GP allowed me to slowly raise my meds. I have often been told I have low iron over the years but never been very good at taking the tablets. I have actually made more of a conscious effort this week so hopefully it will make a difference. I also get breathless (but I am asthmatic) maybe the iron will help

@piglet81 that is very interesting- my daughter has food allergies, hives and we’ve been told likely asthmatic. Are those also autoimmune diseases? I react badly to certain alcohol (go bright red like beetroot and start wheezing).

I can’t remember what normal feels like right now, but hopefully the infusion will bring me closer to feeling normal- I just can’t imagine it!!

The only thing my iron infusion helps with is my restless legs.

Push for a gastro referral, when I first went to gp about feeling crap, my iron was at a 3 and she got me an emergency appointment with a gastro. Had a colonoscopy and endoscopy. Turns out I have crohns.

@TheVolturi yes I actively have PCOS confirmed by scan- I also have all the other symptoms (hirtuism). I’ve never had a convo with GP after being taken off yasmine due to migraines “there’s nothing we can do”. One of the cysts grew very large (grapefruit- dermoid one) and has op to remove.

Isn’t metformin for diabetes? I was tested recently hba1c and it’s 35, so below prediabetic level.

Goodness I sound like a mess! But as I said, GP wants to treat each symptom separately. Due to 10 minute appts.

I’m also really busy working FT and looking after little ones when not working.

Thanks everyone, finding this super helpful.

(I was on Yasmine to control PCOS symptoms and it worked great)

Thanks to the NHS app, I’m looking back at old test results from years ago. I can see in my 20s (well before children) I had iron level of 10. So actually it predates children and was never told about it.

So it could well be a gastro issue which GP hasn’t picked up on. To be fair I stopped talking about my stomach problems years ago, when they said it’s normal.

Thanks for sharing your stories and alerting me to the possibilities of gastro link, so I can be sure to tell the iron specialist x

It is a diabetic drug yes. But it is often used as part of fertility treatment. I struggled to concieve due to pcos, we tried for 7 years and as I was in my twenties I was told to keep trying, it will happen. It didn't. We were not eligible for fertility treatment in the NHS as dh already had a child. I read up about things and asked my Dr if I could try Metformin. I lost a lot of weight and was pregnant within 6 months.

You must push for tests for pernicious anemia. If your stomach can't make the intrinsic factor that helps you absorb iron then supplements are pointless.

You will need regular injections of vitamin B12 for the rest of your life if this is the case.

Pernicious anemia is a very dangerous condition if not treated. Please insist you are tested for it.

@TheVolturi wow that’s amazing, the baby and weight loss...I’ve never heard of using it for PCOS. We took a long time to conceive but it did happen for us, so didn’t need to seek help.

@Cailleach I definitely will thanks, I’ve never heard of it, only normal anemia and my levels are always above 10, so not at risk of it. I will definitely ask to check thanks x

@MrsDrSpencerReid how often do you need the infusions? Can you keep levels topped up yourself through food? It’s a few hundred pounds, so I can’t afford to do it regularly! GP said only free if you’ve got cancer or inflammatory bowel disease

Why don’t you formally write to your GP asking for an extended appointment to discuss multiple related symptoms?

Write down what you have listed here, including family history, and ask pointed questions including “how do we rule out a gastroenterological issue; how do we rule out an autoimmune issue; why is the assumption on my breathlessness asthma and not related to iron deficiency; what makes you think it’s not XYZ” etc.

Also, say you want an asthma review and get it booked in.

You say you have a senior job so I assume there may be some disposable income. Tell the Dr you want a referral to a private gastroenterologist if you can’t access one on the NHS.

PCOS and weight are linked.

I've had anemia for most of my life and it has nothing to do with my weight loss/ increase. My body cannot absorb a number of vitamins and minerals and with my Iron and B12 levels even with injections, infusions, medication and diet I'm always low levels.

After the infusions do improve after a couple of weeks, once I'm back on iron tablets (they have to be paused for infusions). And my energy levels start to increase.

I don't have any internal bleeding and was hoping after the hysterectomy things would improve, sadly didn't.

What does help to keep my weight in control is my diet especially the carbs I eat, and I'm on a very low carb diet.

Autoimmune diseases are diseases that attack your body by mistake. With pernicious anemia your stomach cannot absorb B12 because there is an issue with Intristic Factor (IF) and instead an antibody is sent out (or something like that). These Autoimmune diseases can be controlled but may take time, but can never be cured.

These diseases include Diabetes (type 1), Rheumatoid arthritis, Celiac Disease, Graves and Vitiligo. It's also possible for have more than one of these and can be hereditary and from the environment, and rarely as a result of mutations.

The PCOS will be the issue for the weight loss. Take a look at metabolic balance program. It’s a good system. You will lose weight with this. It’s lower carb. So good got ppl with PCOS.

Also ask to be referred to the asthma clinic and get yearly reviews. You should also be asked at times to keep peak flow measures.

Regular infusions aren't only for those with Cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. Ask for a referral to a Haematologist. Before I was discharged mine were under gynae. I've also had them under GP referral, hematology and renal. Yes they are expensive hence my gp refers me to hospital consultants for further investigations so it comes out of their budget.

I would be changing GP's or at the very least, seeing a different GP at the same practice. Sounds like several things going on- none of which seems to have been treated or looked into! I would have expected the GP to be checking your stool for blood and looking for a slow bleed. Do you have very heavy periods? I would think the weight is hormonal, not specifically related to iron deficiency. Being anaemic can certainly make you tired and short of breath, so having it corrected would give you more energy.

Have you had a full hormone profile done? Not just a scan for PCOS? I'm surprised your GP hasn't mentioned metformin. Yes, its used for diabetes, but also very commonly used in PCOS due to the insulin resistance.

Were you given any dietary advice about when to take iron supplements, what foods to avoid to help absorption etc? Tannins found in grapes, wine, coffee etc can block the absorption of iron, so these should never be eaten with iron tablets or iron rich food. Ideally, cutting high tannin foods out as much as possible overall. Vit C rich food (citrus, peppers) increase the absorption of iron so should be in all meals ideally. This is why Vit C is often given with iron supplements.

Haem (meat) sources or iron are more readily absorbed by the body. There is iron in some fruit/veg, but you need to huge amount more and its not as easily absorbed. Other sources include seaweed. Spirulina comes in a tablet form and complement the diet- not completely replace prescibed iron tablets though.

Hopefully the clinic will do further testing to see if it in pernicious anaemia, hormones or something else going on.

Thanks everyone. It’s probably my fault as I’m not very pushy with GP and incredibly embarrassed to see all the consultations I’ve had over the years for different (not life threatening ailments). I’m scared of being labelled a hypochondriac! I know that sounds silly, but it’s one thing after another. Saying that, I’ve never been to GP with flu or cold symptoms- always manage myself. I also put others before myself eg my son regularly goes to hospital for LTC and that takes up quite a lot of energy. My partner does loads around house, but can’t do life admin so all falls to me, I end up prioritising sons health (he’s been to GP several times over last month and been in A&E).

I’m writing everything down know. Clear, succinct bullet points of every symptom to date. I’m feeling really ashamed at the longlist and worried about looking like a moaner! I just kind of assumed everyone has annoying health niggles they just put up with. I need to get over it and ask for proper investigations.

Our GP pracrice is awful. But the others around here are not any better. It’s not the GPs fault, we have an ageing population and they are massively overworked. I do need to be more pushy.

The insomnia I think is taking its toll. I take over counter meds but they don’t have any effect eg I can’t sleep before 1/2am most nights and wake up earlier than I need to (6:30)

@Hairyfriend nope, no advice, just sent on my merry way! I did my own research and always take iron tablet with a citrus fruit and avoid coffee/tea around the same time. I have 2 cups of coffee a day, early morning and only drink decaf after that.

Ps the dietary advice is v helpful. I don’t drink much but will avoid when I eat steak or salmon (I try to eat these 3 times a week).

I have one probably every 12 months, but by the time the next one rolls around I’m literally running on empty, sitting around 3-4. Iron supplements don’t seem to do anything for me, nor does diet.

I only have to pay the cost of the iron here, about $30 (Aus) and they do the infusion in my GP surgery treatment rooms. Or sometimes they can do it at the hospital when I’m there for my regular crohns treatment, it just depends who orders it, GP or my gastro.

I really hope you can get to the bottom of it, it’s so hard when you feel rubbish all the time

Thank you @MrsDrSpencerReid it sounds like Australia is streets ahead when it comes to iron infusions, compared to the NHS.

@FlapsInTheWind

The only thing that will lose your body fat is if your metabolism is given access to your fat stores. The only way this can happen is if you eat a diet low enough in carbs that you do not produce insulin in quantities high enough to continue to store fat in the cells. Once you have depleted your sugar stores in your blood and then your liver, your body will start to mine your stored fat for sugar and energy. Raising or lowering your overall iron levels won't affect the above.

You have a lot of symptoms that often leave in the face of an elimination diet like the lion diet for example.

There is so much crap in this post it is hard to decide where to start.... Let's go in order:

• a steak will raise your insulin more than white pasta . Insulin index for beef = 51 ± 16 , insulin index for white pasta =40 ± 5 . Oops

• a diet rich in meat and processed meat will cause insulin resistance ^If your meal of choice regularly includes red and processed meats, often grilled or fried to ''well-done'' status, you may be increasing your risk of diabetes and liver issues.

A new study from Israel found that a diet with higher levels of those foods substantially increases the risk of insulin resistance (making your blood sugar levels rise to unhealthy levels). The foods also boost the risk for a liver condition known as NAFLD—non-alcoholic fatty liver disease—which is linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D)^. www.endocrineweb.com/news/diabetes/59296-does-eating-red-meat-processed-deli-products-boost-your-diabetes-risk

• a lion diet will make human and lions alike more prone to cancer. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04224-5

If you look at scientific reviews of these crappy books and theories when the cited references are verified, these books such as carnivore diet are 28% accurate, meaning they are 72& BS and so it Jason Fung 31% accuracy. 69% BS

So my advice @Tootiredallthetime is to ignore the pseudo-science by experts more popular on YouTube than Pubmed, and keep a truthful diary of every morsel you take, every sip you have on cronometer.com and reduce your calories intake. If you eat 2000 calories a day, it is hard to lose weight.

[quote Tootiredallthetime]@FlapsInTheWind yes I’m aware of the science behind the Keto diet and have been following a Mediterranean diet for ages, not lost a single pound. It’s clear my problem is medical related and that going on a strict Keto diet is not going to help in my case - and might even make me very unwell.[/quote]
I'm not talking about the Mediterranean diet. There is too many plant based carbs in it. Carnivore in the face of low iron would restore your iron and zinc levels, release glucagon and help you lose weight. Beef, bacon, butter and eggs for 60 days would be a start.