Understanding Iron Deficiency & Infusions ~ with Clinical Nutritionist Steph Lowe

Have you been told you have low iron? Or is this something you’ve been struggling with for months or years now?

Even if it’s not you personally, my guess is you know a sister, friend, mother or daughter who has at some point been ‘iron deficient’.

But there is more to the story. Like many areas when it comes to reading blood tests, it's worth digging a bit deeper to really understand your results.

You may not actually be deficient in the first place. Even if you have a true iron deficiency, chances are your treatment is not actually helping you.

I know, I can hear your thoughts. “But what do you mean Kasey?!” So to share more on this topic, I have invited the iron queen herself, Steph Lowe onto the podcast for a chat.

Steph Lowe is a mother, Nutritionist, yogi and founder of The Natural Nutritionist, a hub for celebrating the importance of real food, and author of Low Carb Healthy Fat Nutrition.  

 With a passion for spreading a positive message about real food and the incredible affect it has on health, fertility and longevity, Steph launched The Natural Nutritionist in 2011 and is on a mission to inspire others to make health a priority in their lives.  

 Along with running The Natural Nutritionist, Steph hosts the podcast, Health, Happiness & Human Kind, and is passionate mentor to many newly graduated Nutritionists and Integrative Nutrition Health Coaches.

Tune into my chat with Steph Lowe in episode 73 of the Glowing Mumma Thriving Bubba podcast. 

 What's Included In This Episode:

In today’s chat we cover:

• The important factors to consider with diet and testing, in your preconception phase.
• The importance of optimal iron in your body for women and in pregnancy, how this supports your growing baby.
• How to check your iron levels through testing.
• If you’re being told your levels are low, why you should take a second look at your blood test results .
• The real markers and levels to look for to check for an iron deficiency.
• The underlying causes to real iron deficiency in women.
• What an iron infusion is, the dose of iron included and the health implications of this therapy.
• Stephs steps to holistically prevent and overcome iron deficiency.
• The important cofactors to support your body’s use of iron in your body.
• Plus examples of foods and meals for healthy iron levels.

+ more!

Levels Mentioned Throughout Episode:

High Transferrin indicating iron hunger: >2.3 (in menstruating women)

Healthy Iron Saturation: 20-30% (in menstruating women)

True Low Ferritin: <15 mg/L 

Note: Ferritin will likely be under 30 mg/L past 20 weeks and up to 36 weeks gestation during pregnancy. It is important to look at haemoglobin. 

Haemoglobin Cut Off (Pregnancy Second Tri): 105 g/L

Haemoglobin Cut Off (Pregnancy Third Tri): 100 g/L

Note: Conventional reference ranges are for non-pregnant women and men!!

Get More Support From Steph:

To book a consultation with Steph or to find out more about The Natural Nutritionist, visit: www.thenaturalnutritionist.com.au or www.stephlowe.com.  

Follow Steph on Instagram @thenaturalnutritionist

Tune In:

You can listen into episode 73 above or by searching 'Glowing Mumma Thriving Bubba' on your favourite podcast app.

I cant wait to hear your biggest takeaways. Let us know across on the @GlowingMumma.ThrivingBubba insta feed.