Episode 55: Navigating Anemia

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