Disease Intelligence Center · Fifth Estate / N
Iron Deficiency & Anemia
Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide. Ferritin under 30 ng/mL indicates depleted stores even before anemia; hemoglobin falls later. A cause — blood loss, malabsorption (celiac, H. pylori) or low intake — should always be sought.
Domain weighting
Organizational emphasisiWeightings describe where this framework directs attention for this condition. They are not a measure of how much any factor caused an individual case.
Root-cause chain
Each link carries its own evidence grade- Blood loss (menstrual, gastrointestinal)→Depleted iron storesNA
Each mL of blood lost removes about 0.5 mg of iron.
Relationship: Established causal
- H. pylori or celiac disease→Iron malabsorptionIA
Mucosal damage and reduced gastric acid impair non-heme iron absorption; eradication or gluten-free diet restores it.
Relationship: Established causal
- Chronic inflammation→Functional iron restriction via hepcidinIA
IL-6 raises hepcidin, blocking iron export; ferritin may be falsely normal when CRP is high.
Relationship: Established causal
- Iron deficiency→Fatigue, low mood, restless legsBB
Iron repletion improves fatigue in non-anemic women with low ferritin (RCTs).
Relationship: Randomized evidence
iDetection of an exposure does not establish that it caused a disease. This platform separates exposure, association, plausible mechanism, clinical evidence and demonstrated causation.
Fifth Estate considerations
Microbial ecologyH. pylori is a true bacterial cause here — test and treat it when iron deficiency is unexplained.
Go deeper
TOBIN Intelligence LibraryThe full evidence review for Iron Deficiency & Anemia: each mechanism by domain, what is established versus uncertain, related pandemics, relevant labs and how they move your scores.
Open the Iron Deficiency & Anemia evidence reviewProtocol Fusion Engine
Six lanes · evidence grade and regulatory status on every entryConventional
Alternate-day dosing improves absorption (Stoffel 2017); AGA 2020 guideline.
Caution: Find the cause; never give iron without testing — risk of overload in hemochromatosis.
Functional
Treating the cause restores absorption.
Caution: Do not start a gluten-free diet before celiac testing.
Integrative
Most common cause in premenopausal women.
Caution: Evaluate for fibroids and bleeding disorders.
Orthomolecular
Increases non-heme iron absorption.
Caution: Not a substitute for iron repletion.
Traditional
Modest increases in food iron content.
Caution: Not adequate alone for established deficiency.
Energy / Physical
Energy medicine on Tayapulse →Listed for completeness only.
Caution: Must not be presented as a treatment.
iLanes are presented side by side so the difference in evidence strength is visible. Nothing here is a prescription, and interactions must be reviewed with your clinician and pharmacist.
iEnergy and physical modalities in this lane are explored further with Tayapulse. Evidence grade and regulatory status still apply: these are adjuncts used only where indicated, never cures or replacements for guideline care.
Diagnostics to consider
- · Ferritin (with CRP)
- · CBC: hemoglobin, MCV
- · Transferrin saturation
- · Celiac serology (tTG-IgA)
- · H. pylori testing; GI evaluation for men and post-menopausal women
Monitoring
- · Ferritin and hemoglobin 8–12 weeks after starting iron
- · Symptom trend
- · TOBIN score change over time
Prevention emphasis
- · Heme-iron foods or legumes with vitamin C
- · Screen in heavy menstrual bleeding and pregnancy
- · Avoid tea/coffee with iron-rich meals