Anemia affects millions but is often misunderstood or oversimplified. Anemia isn’t just about having low iron. It means you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to get vital oxygen to your tissues, organs, and brain.

Host Chrissy Sutton breaks down the many different forms of anemia, from iron-deficiency to anemia of inflammation, and even discusses why you can actually have too much iron and still be anemic.

We’ll explore how to spot anemia not just with lab work, but by recognizing physical signs like paleness, fatigue, brittle nails, and even changes in your tongue and the whites of your eyes. Dr. Sutton highlights why anemia is more than just feeling tired—it’s tied to everything from exercise intolerance and heart palpitations to developmental delays in children and increased risk for disorders like ADHD.

This episode also unpacks the confusing overlap between high ferritin from inflammation versus hemochromatosis, goes in-depth on the impact of pregnancy and menstruation on iron levels, and shares actionable tips for both clinicians and patients.

To learn more, enroll in the Master Class “Iron Overload and Undiagnosed Anemias” at https://pages.kharrazianinstitute.com/sutton-anemia

• For patient-oriented functional medicine courses, visit https://drknews.com/online-courses/
• For practitioner functional medicine certification courses, visit https://kharrazianinstitute.com/
• For Certified Functional Nutrition education for both practitioners and lay people, visit https://afnlm.com/

00:00 Anemia and Heart Strain Connection

10:13 Low Iron Risks in Pregnancy

11:40 Early Pregnancy Iron Supplementation

18:14 Acid Reducers Impact Iron Levels

26:50 Pregnancy: Nutrient Absorption Challenges

31:43 "Decoding Iron Deficiency Causes"

34:08 Iron Deficiency Anemia Symptoms

40:51 Vitamin A Deficiency Risk Factors

47:24 "Copper's Role in Iron Regulation"

53:34 Diagnosing Hemolytic Anemia

54:26 Managing Aplastic Anemia Basics

01:01:52 Lead Cabinet Toxicity Solved

01:06:09 Ferritin Management Without Blood Removal

01:11:14 Digestive Challenges of Low Stomach Acid

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