Well, you all (presumably) menstruate. So you lose iron monthly. That can cause iron deficiency.
Hereditary iron deficiency?Profile: 25, female, 58, 175lbs, active, Caucasian-Mediterranean, Complaint: -extreme fatigue despite adequate sleep -dizzy/ fainting spells -poor circulation -blood pressure and blood sugar fluctuations -severe brain fog -dissociative episodes -debilitating anxiety/ depression Has been going on for the past 5 years and steadily getting worse.Recent labs: Hemoglobin A1C: 5.6 Glucose fasting: 5.0 mmol/L Ferritin: 40 ug/L Hematology profile normal, electrolytes normal, kidney/ liver function tests (urine & blood) normal, B12: high 836 pmol/L Cholesterol: 4.82 mmol/L LDL: 3.01 mmol/L HDL: 1.51 mmol/L Non HDL: 3.31 mmol/LHello! So I (25F), my mother (50), and my grandma (74) all have iron deficiency. We all have no underlying illnesses, except that grandma and I are subclinical hypothyroid. No kidney or liver issues. No other inflammatory diseases, crohns, celiacs, etc.Recently I found out that ferritin is optimal at >100 ug/L. Pretty pissed because 5 months ago it was 54 and I was told it was normal and now its 40. all of my symptoms align with iron deficiency.Can anyone shed some light as to what the root of this may be? Is it possible its just hereditary?Thanks in advance for any responses.