Tired of being tired? It might be your iron.
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, and one of the most overlooked. We test for it, find out why it's happening, and treat it in children and adults, including with in-clinic IV iron infusions.
Iron deficiency vs. iron deficiency anemia
Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen everywhere you need it: your muscles, your brain, your heart. When iron runs low, it happens in stages.
Low iron stores
Your backup supply (measured by a ferritin test) starts to drain. You may already feel more tired than usual.
Iron deficiency
Not enough iron is reaching the body's tissues. Symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and restless legs often appear, even though hemoglobin can still look normal.
Iron deficiency anemia
Your body can't make enough healthy red blood cells. Less oxygen gets delivered, and symptoms usually become harder to ignore.
Symptoms people don't always connect to iron
Low iron builds slowly, so many people get used to feeling this way and assume it's just stress, age, or a busy life. Here's what patients often tell us.
Fatigue that rest doesn't fix
Ongoing tiredness, low energy, and needing to push through the afternoon. This is the most common symptom.
Shortness of breath & racing heart
Feeling out of breath with light activity, a pounding or fast heartbeat, or workouts that suddenly feel much harder.
Brain fog & headaches
Trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, irritability, frequent headaches, or feeling lightheaded when you stand up.
Restless legs
An uncomfortable urge to move your legs in the evening or at bedtime, which can wreck your sleep. Low iron is a common, treatable cause.
Strange cravings (pica)
Craving ice, starch, dirt, or other non-food items. Ice craving in particular is a classic sign of low iron.
Hair shedding & brittle nails
More hair loss than usual, thinning hair, and nails that crack, peel, or become spoon-shaped.
Cold hands & feet
Feeling chilled when others are comfortable, along with skin that looks paler than usual.
Frequent infections & mouth changes
Catching every bug that goes around, a sore or smooth tongue, or cracks at the corners of your mouth.
Pale skin, lips, or eyelids
Paleness is often the first thing parents or grandparents notice, especially inside the lower eyelids or on the palms.
Irritability & low energy
Fussiness, tiring easily during play, needing more naps, or not keeping up with friends.
Poor appetite
Little interest in food. Low iron can lower appetite, which can then make the deficiency worse.
Unusual cravings
Eating ice, dirt, chalk, paper, or other non-food items past the toddler "mouthing" stage.
Learning & behaviour changes
Trouble concentrating at school, slower development, or behaviour changes. Iron is important for a growing brain.
Frequent colds & infections
Getting sick more often than other kids, or taking longer to bounce back.
Breath-holding spells
In toddlers, frequent breath-holding spells have been linked to iron deficiency, and treating it can reduce them.
Teens: fatigue, dizziness & sports drop-off
Exhaustion, lightheadedness, or worsening athletic performance, especially in teens with heavy periods or during growth spurts.
Iron runs low for many everyday reasons
Iron deficiency happens when you lose more iron than you take in, absorb too little, or need more than usual. Finding the cause matters as much as treating the low iron.
Adults
- Heavy or long menstrual periods
- Pregnancy, recent childbirth, or breastfeeding
- Vegetarian or vegan diets
- Endurance athletes and runners
- Frequent blood donors
- Celiac disease, Crohn's, colitis, or past bariatric (weight-loss) surgery
- Long-term use of stomach acid medications or regular anti-inflammatories (e.g., ibuprofen)
- Any bleeding from the digestive tract, which always needs to be looked into
Children & teens
- Toddlers aged 1–3, the highest-risk age group
- Drinking a lot of cow's milk (more than about 500 mL / 2 cups a day)
- Babies born early or at a low birth weight
- Picky eaters, or kids with few iron-rich foods in their diet
- Teens going through rapid growth spurts
- Teen girls with heavy periods
- Young athletes, especially in endurance sports
- Vegetarian or vegan diets without careful planning
Iron matters even more for growing kids
Children need iron to grow, learn, and develop. Low iron in early childhood can affect energy, mood, attention, and development, so it's worth checking if something seems off.
Kids often can't tell you they feel tired or foggy. Instead you may see a child who is pale, cranky, eating poorly, or struggling at school. Our team sees children and teens for iron concerns and explains every step in a way kids and parents can follow.
A common, easy-to-miss cause
- Cow's milk is very low in iron and can make it harder to absorb iron from other foods.
- Toddlers who drink a lot of milk often feel too full for iron-rich foods.
- Canadian guidance generally suggests keeping milk to about 500 mL (2 cups) a day for children over 1.
- Iron-rich foods include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, tofu, and iron-fortified cereals.
- Pair plant-based iron with vitamin C foods (berries, oranges, peppers) to help absorption.
Testing, answers, and treatment in one place
We don't just top up your iron. We look for why it's low, build a plan around you, and follow up until you feel like yourself again.
A complete iron workup
Bloodwork that goes beyond a basic count: ferritin, iron studies, and a complete blood count, with results explained in plain language.
Finding the root cause
We review your diet, periods, medications, digestive health, and activity level, and coordinate further testing or specialist referral when needed.
IV iron infusions
Fast, in-clinic iron replacement for people who can't tolerate iron pills, haven't improved on them, or need their iron restored more quickly.
Care for children & teens
Kid-friendly assessments and age-appropriate treatment plans, with guidance for parents on diet and follow-up.
Is an iron infusion right for you?
Iron pills work well for many people, but not everyone. IV (intravenous) iron delivers iron straight into your bloodstream, skipping the gut entirely. It may be a good option if you:
Can't tolerate iron pills
Nausea, stomach pain, constipation, or other side effects that make it hard to keep taking them.
Haven't improved on oral iron
You've taken iron for months and your levels or symptoms haven't budged.
Don't absorb iron well
Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or past bariatric surgery can limit absorption from the gut.
Need iron restored sooner
For example, later in pregnancy, before a planned surgery, or with ongoing heavy blood loss, as recommended by your provider.
Consultation & bloodwork
We confirm iron deficiency, review your health history, and make sure an infusion is safe and appropriate for you.
Relax in our clinic
A small IV is placed in your arm. Depending on the iron product and dose, the infusion takes about 15 minutes to an hour, followed by a short observation period. Most people drive home and return to normal activities the same day.
Energy starts to return
Many patients notice improvement in fatigue and other symptoms within a few weeks, though everyone is different.
Follow-up bloodwork
We recheck your levels to make sure your iron and hemoglobin are rising, and decide whether another dose is needed.
Keep it from coming back
If the cause continues (like heavy periods), we'll plan monitoring and next steps so you don't end up running on empty again.
Could low iron be behind how you feel?
Check anything that applies to you or your child. This isn't a diagnosis. It's a quick way to decide whether it's worth getting tested.
When to get help right away
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you or your child has:
- Chest pain, fainting, or severe shortness of breath
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools, or vomiting blood
- Very heavy bleeding (soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours)
- A child who is extremely pale, unusually drowsy, or hard to wake
Frequently asked questions
Can I be iron deficient without being anemic?
Yes. Your iron stores can run low well before your hemoglobin drops. Many people feel tired, foggy, or short of breath at this stage, even when a basic blood count looks normal. A ferritin test checks your stored iron.
Why can't I just take an iron supplement on my own?
You can talk to a provider about it, but testing first matters. Symptoms of low iron overlap with other conditions (like thyroid problems), too much iron can be harmful, and low iron always has a cause that should be identified, especially in men and people after menopause.
Who is a good candidate for an IV iron infusion?
IV iron may be recommended if oral iron upsets your stomach, hasn't raised your levels, can't be absorbed well (for example after bariatric surgery or with celiac or inflammatory bowel disease), or when iron needs to be replaced more quickly, such as in later pregnancy or before surgery.
How long does an IV iron infusion take?
Depending on the iron product and dose, an infusion usually takes 15 minutes to about an hour, plus a short observation period. Some patients need one visit; others need two or more.
Are there side effects from IV iron?
Most people have no problems. Some notice a mild headache, flushing, achiness, or a metallic taste for a day or two. Serious allergic reactions are rare, and you're monitored throughout your infusion. Your provider will review the risks and benefits with you.
Do you treat iron deficiency in children?
Yes. We assess and treat iron deficiency in children and teens, including toddlers who drink a lot of cow's milk and teens with heavy periods or rapid growth spurts.
Is IV iron covered?
Coverage depends on the iron product, your situation, and your private insurance plan. Our team will walk you through costs and coverage options before treatment.
Do I need a referral?
Contact our clinic and our team will let you know what's needed to book and whether recent bloodwork can be used.
You don't have to feel this way
If you or your child has been running on empty, a simple blood test can be the first step toward getting your energy back.