I Thought I Was Just Tired and Getting Older—Turns Out, I Was Iron Deficient

Hello, my fabulous friends! Let’s talk about something that has completely changed my life recently—iron.

Now, I know what you might be thinking: What does iron have to do with living fearlessly after 40? Well, for me, this is about having the confidence to advocate for yourself in a medical setting, to question things, and to keep digging when something feels off in your body.

For years, I struggled with low energy, brain fog, restless sleep, and breathlessness. I chalked it up to perimenopause, stress, and, honestly, just getting older. When I first got my iron levels tested back in 2019, my doctor casually mentioned that my ferritin (iron storage) was low and handed me some iron tablets with a vague warning not to take too many. No real explanation, no urgency—so I didn’t think much of it.

Fast forward six years, and my symptoms only got worse. My heart would race just from standing up. Rolling over in bed left me breathless. My sleep was a mess. I had convinced myself that this was just how things were now. Getting older, am I right?

Wrong.

After another round of blood tests, I finally got an iron infusion. And let me tell you—within hours, my entire world changed. I could breathe deeply. My heart wasn’t racing. The fog in my brain lifted. It was like my body had been running on empty for years, and suddenly, I was fully powered up again.

The real kicker? Most women, especially those who menstruate, have some level of iron deficiency. Not necessarily anemia, but low enough iron stores to impact energy, sleep, and overall well-being. And yet, we don’t talk about it.

So here’s my PSA to you:

• If you’ve been feeling constantly drained, don’t just accept it as “getting older.”
• If you struggle with sleep, breathlessness, or brain fog, consider getting your iron levels checked.
• If your doctor brushes it off, dig deeper.

This isn’t about self-diagnosing (always talk to a professional!), but about tuning into your body, asking questions, and being curious about how you should feel. Because feeling exhausted all the time? That’s not just aging—it could be something you can actually fix.

So go get that blood test, my fearless friend. Because we are too powerful to be walking around half-charged.