Anemia is one of the most overlooked yet impactful conditions affecting energy, mood, cognition, and hormone balance. In this episode, we unpack the many root causes of anemia beyond just low iron—including micronutrient deficiencies, MTHFR mutations, lack of intrinsic factor, and the impacts of vegetarian or low-protein diets. We explore the difference between microcytic and macrocytic anemia and how to interpret key markers on an iron panel, including ferritin, transferrin saturation, and total iron-binding capacity.

You'll also learn about the important connections between thyroid function and iron status, the role of hormones like estrogen and cortisol, and how symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, or irregular cycles may trace back to suboptimal iron levels. Whether you're dealing with diagnosed anemia or suspect you’re trending low, this episode will help you understand how to restore balance from a functional, root-cause perspective.

Also in this episode:

What is anemia?
Why does anemia occur?
Risk factors for anemia
Symptoms of anemia
Assessment for anemia
- CBC
- Ferritin
- Serum Iron
- TIBC
- % saturation
- Transferrin
Other lab considerations
- Serum B12
- Serum Folate
- MMA
- Homocysteine
- Stool Occult Blood (GI Map Includes)
Ferritin and thyroid function
Food as Medicine for iron repletion
Noble Origins Organ Complex use code ALIMILLERD
Liver Pills
Force of Nature Ancestral Blends use code ALIMILLERRD
Foods to watch out for when low in iron
Supplementation
Root cause approaches to anemia
Gut Health
Inflammation
Heavy Metals
Overtraining, chronic dieting and protein restriction

Sponsors for this episode:

This episode is sponsored by Wild Foods, a company that puts quality, sustainability, and health first in all of their products. They have everything from coffee to turmeric to medicinal mushrooms, and every single product is painstakingly sourced from small farms around the globe. They take their mission seriously to fix the broken food system, and believe real food is medicine. They've partnered with us to give you guys an exclusive discount, so use the code ALIMILLERRD for 12% off your order at WildFoods.co!

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