Ep. 229 - Iron Deficiency Anemia: a women's health epidemic with Dr. Fiona Lovely

Ep. 229 - Iron Deficiency Anemia: a women's health epidemic with Dr. Fiona Lovely

From Not Your Mother's Menopause with Dr. Fiona Lovely by Dr. Fiona Lovely

July 28, 2026 · 37 min · Episode 229

About this episode

Dr. Fiona Lovely discusses iron deficiency anemia, its symptoms, and its impact on women's health during menopause.

If you've been chalking up your exhaustion, brain fog, and irritability to "just another day in perimenopause," Dr. Fiona Lovely is here to challenge that assumption. In this loved solo episode, she shines a much-needed spotlight on iron deficiency anemia—a condition that affects billions worldwide and is disproportionately common in women, yet frequently overlooked by conventional medicine. Dr. Lovely walks listeners through the telltale signs: fatigue, mood swings, hair loss, cold intolerance, and cracked lips at the corners of the mouth. Sound familiar? These symptoms are so easily dismissed as normal menopausal woes, but they may point to something far more treatable. She explains why women in the menopause transition are particularly vulnerable—thanks to heavy menstrual bleeding—and why iron debt can persist for years even after periods stop. The episode provides a thorough breakdown of the lab work that actually matters, moving far beyond the standard CBC. Dr. Lovely lists the markers every woman should request, including ferritin, transferrin, and TIBC, and explains why many doctors miss the full picture. She also covers the best dietary sources of iron, the difference…

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