Your doctor says your iron levels are normal—but you’re exhausted, losing hair, and can’t think straight. Today you’ll learn the hidden truth about iron deficiency that most doctors miss, and what you can do about it starting today.
My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano from the Natural Medicine Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and author of the FreeDiet®. Most of my patients come in with gut or thyroid issues, and abnormal ferritin—either too high or too low—is extremely common.
Today we’re focusing on low ferritin and iron deficiency, and why it’s so often overlooked.
Why Doctors Miss Iron Deficiency
The number one reason doctors miss iron deficiency is simple:
They don’t test for it.
A routine blood test typically includes:
- CBC
- Chemistry panel
- Lipids
- TSH
If you ask about iron, many doctors glance at your hemoglobin and say, “Your iron is normal.”
But you can have normal hemoglobin and still be iron deficient—with all the symptoms that come with it.
Common Symptoms of Iron Deficiency
One of my patients had nearly every classic symptom:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Poor memory and concentration
- Anxiety and depression
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Dizziness
- Poor muscle endurance
- Shortness of breath
- Cold hands and feet
Yet none of her doctors had ever checked her iron panel.
The Tests You Actually Need
When you ask your doctor to check your iron, you need a full iron panel, not just hemoglobin.
Minimum Iron & Ferritin Evaluation
- Iron, Percent saturation, TIBC
- Ferritin (stored iron)
- CBC
- Chemistry panel
- Lipids
- TSH
- CRP
- LDH
- GGT
- Insulin
- A1C
- Uric acid
- Free T4
- Free T3
This is the minimum needed to properly assess ferritin and iron status.
Normal Isn’t the Same as Optimal
Another reason iron deficiency is missed: doctors rely on normal ranges, not optimal ranges.
For example, one patient’s ferritin range was:
- Normal: 15–150 ng/ml
- Her ferritin: 10 ng/ml
Her doctor said, “It’s just a little low.”
But optimal ferritin level is 50–80 ng/ml, and many people experience significant symptoms below 40.
Her ferritin was at 10 ng/ml—far below optimal—and suffering because of it.
The Hidden Root Causes of Low Ferritin
Doctors often miss the underlying causes, which are usually tied to gut issues or excessive bleeding.
This patient had:
- Indigestion
- Gas and bloating
- Constipation
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
Functional testing revealed:
- Celiac genetics
- Gluten sensitivity
- Leaky gut
- Multiple food reactions
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Insulin resistance
- Adrenal dysfunction
- Thyroid dysfunction
Low ferritin is rarely “just low iron.” It’s often a sign of deeper issues.
Her Results After 7 Weeks
After starting an anti-inflammatory diet and the proper supplements:
- Insomnia improved
- Anxiety decreased
- Brain fog lifted
- Hair loss slowed
- Pain decreased
- Fatigue improved
- Weight loss began
Her ferritin increased from 10 to 66 in just 7 weeks—right into the optimal range.
Her glucose also dropped 20 points to normal.
The Diet That Helped: The FreeDiet®
The diet she followed is called the FreeDiet®, which I developed years ago while healing my own autoimmune Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, fatigue, and other chronic health issues.
Foods to Avoid on the FreeDiet®
- Gluten
- Grains
- Sugar
- Yeast
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Soy
- Legumes
- Nightshades
- Processed foods
Phase 1 removes these foods. As you improve, Phase 2 reintroduces foods one at a time to test tolerance.
I’ll include a link below to the FreeDiet® Phase 1 Food Chart.
The Supplements That Helped Restore Her Iron
The type of iron I gave her was not the typical ferrous sulfate most doctors recommend, which often causes:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Constipation
Instead, I use Iron Glycinate, which is gentle and well absorbed.
She took approximately 120 mg Iron Glycinate per day for 7 weeks, then reduced the dose once she reached optimal levels.
She also took the Functional Five:
- Multivitamin
- Vitamin D with K
- Magnesium
- Fish oil
- Probiotic
Plus:
- Vitamin C (helps iron absorption)
- Other nutrients she was deficient in
The Bottom Line: Get the Right Testing First
If you’re struggling with unexplained fatigue, gut issues, hair loss, or other chronic symptoms, it’s essential to get comprehensive testing—not just basic labs.
When you uncover the root causes and are provided the right solutions, I believe almost anyone can get better.
Go here if you would like a free copy of the FreeDiet® phase 1 food chart.
