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!)