A mother's story of exhaustion and the surprising cause behind it is a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to our bodies.
'Just being a tired mum' - a phrase that downplays the severity of a mother's exhaustion and the potential underlying health issues.
Rose Stokes, a freelance journalist and new mother of two, found herself in a state of constant fatigue. She thought it was simply the reality of being a mum to young children, but there was more to it than met the eye.
"I was so exhausted that I could barely manage the basics of childcare. I'd put my kids to bed at seven, and then I'd have to go straight to bed myself," Rose shares.
But here's where it gets controversial: Rose's initial visits to the doctor resulted in her symptoms being brushed off as a normal part of motherhood.
"I had other symptoms too, like hair loss and a strange metallic taste in my mouth. I kept getting tongue ulcers and felt breathless and dizzy. Yet, every time I went to the doctor, I was told it was just being a mum," she explains.
And this is the part most people miss: Rose's persistence paid off. After several visits, she requested a blood test, which revealed low levels of the protein ferritin, indicating iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency is more common than you might think, especially in women. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, around 8% of women are affected, while only 3% of men in the UK experience it.
Pregnancy, like Rose's recent experience, is a common cause of iron deficiency. The symptoms can vary, but Rose's tiredness, dizziness, and tongue ulcers are classic indicators. Other common symptoms include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, pale skin, and headaches. Some may even experience rarer symptoms like tinnitus and restless legs syndrome.
Rose's journey to recovery began with iron tablets, the most common treatment. However, she found that none of the three different types she tried agreed with her body.
Dr. Sue Pavord, a consultant haematologist at NHS Hospitals Oxford, emphasizes the importance of taking iron tablets first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with water or vitamin C for maximum effectiveness.
When the tablets didn't work for Rose, her doctor recommended an iron infusion, a quick way to get iron into the bloodstream. Dr. Pavord explains that while infusions can be transformative for severe cases, tablets can also work extremely well, so it's important to try them first.
But what about prevention? Dr. Pavord suggests incorporating foods rich in absorbable iron, such as red meat, chicken, liver, and fish, into your diet. Vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli also contain iron, but the body absorbs it less effectively from these sources.
Two-and-a-half months after her infusion, Rose feels like a new person. "I have my energy back! I can do things I couldn't before. It's like a weight has been lifted," she exclaims.
So, the next time you feel exhausted, listen to your body. It might just be more than just being tired. What do you think? Has anyone experienced similar symptoms or had a different perspective on iron deficiency? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
