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Conditions
IronDeficiency&Anaemia
Low iron levels causing fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and breathlessness. The most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, particularly affecting women of reproductive age.
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Symptoms
CommonsymptomsofIronDeficiency&Anaemia
An AHPRA-registered doctor assesses these symptoms online - no in-person visit required.
Persistent fatigue and tiredness
Pale skin, nails, or inner eyelids
Shortness of breath on exertion
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Brittle nails
Cold hands and feet
Unusual cravings (ice, dirt - pica)
Restless legs, especially at night
Our Scope
Howwecanhelp
InstantMed handles many common conditions entirely online. Here's what fits our service.
What we can help with
- Assessment of iron deficiency symptoms
- Blood test referrals for iron studies and full blood count
- Iron supplementation advice
- Medical certificates if fatigue is debilitating
- Investigation of underlying causes
What needs in-person care
- Iron infusions (need in-person clinic)
- Investigation of GI bleeding (needs gastroscopy/colonoscopy)
- Emergency treatment for severe anaemia
Depending on your situation, an AHPRA-registered doctor may be able to issue a medical certificate or arrange a repeat prescription after reviewing your request online.
Clinical Guidance
Whentoseeadoctor
These indicators suggest you should seek professional medical advice promptly.
Signs you need a doctor
- 1Persistent unexplained fatigue
- 2Pale skin with exercise intolerance
- 3Heavy menstrual periods with fatigue
- 4Vegetarian/vegan with low energy
- 5You need blood tests to check iron levels
Seek emergency care if
- Severe breathlessness at rest
- Chest pain with exertion
- Fainting or near-fainting
- Rapid heartbeat at rest
Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department
Clinical Insight
Adoctor'sperspectiveonIronDeficiency&Anaemia
InstantMed Clinical Team
AHPRA-registered medical team · Reviewed 2026-03
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in Australia, and it is significantly underdiagnosed. Many people - particularly menstruating women - live with chronic fatigue for years without realising that low iron is the cause. The diagnosis is straightforward with a blood test (serum ferritin below 30 mcg/L indicates depleted stores), but the investigation doesn't stop there. In premenopausal women, heavy periods are the most common cause and should be addressed alongside supplementation. In men and postmenopausal women, iron deficiency is a red flag for gastrointestinal blood loss - even microscopic - and may warrant investigation for coeliac disease, peptic ulcers, or colorectal pathology. Via telehealth, I can assess symptoms, order the appropriate blood tests, initiate supplementation, and determine whether further investigation is needed.
Treatment
TreatingIronDeficiency&Anaemia
Oral iron supplementation is the first-line treatment for iron deficiency without severe anaemia. Ferrous salts (ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate) are the most bioavailable and cost-effective forms. Alternate-day dosing (every second day) achieves equivalent repletion to daily dosing with fewer gastrointestinal side effects -- this is a key recent finding from the IRONMANSTUDIES group and is now recommended by the eTG. Vitamin C co-administration markedly enhances absorption. IV iron is reserved for patients who cannot tolerate oral iron, have malabsorption, or need rapid repletion. Identifying and treating the underlying cause (heavy menstruation, GI blood loss, dietary insufficiency) is essential alongside supplementation.
Ferrous sulfate
Ferro-Gradumet, Ferro-Tab
Class:Oral iron salt -- ferrous (Fe2+) compound
Typical dose:325mg (equivalent to 65mg elemental iron) on alternate days, with a glass of orange juice or other vitamin C source
PBS:Available OTC without prescription; not PBS listed for iron deficiency
- Most bioavailable oral iron form; alternate-day dosing reduces GI side effects without reducing efficacy
- Take on an empty stomach if tolerated, or with a small amount of food to reduce nausea
- Avoid within 2 hours of tea, coffee, calcium, or antacids -- these reduce absorption substantially
- Stools will become dark/black -- this is normal and expected
Iron polymaltose complex
Maltofer, Ferrum Hausmann
Class:Non-ionic oral iron complex
Typical dose:100mg elemental iron twice daily (as chewable tablet or drops); can be taken with food
PBS:Available OTC without prescription; generally more expensive than ferrous salts
- Better tolerated than ferrous salts for patients with GI side effects (nausea, constipation)
- Can be taken with food -- lower risk of GI symptoms; also better for children
- Slightly lower bioavailability than ferrous salts; requires higher daily doses
Ferric carboxymaltose (IV iron)
Ferinject
Class:Intravenous iron preparation
Typical dose:Single IV infusion of 500-1000mg over 15-30 minutes (in-clinic only)
PBS:PBS listed for specific indications (IBD, intolerance to oral iron, chronic kidney disease); requires in-person administration
- Rapid repletion of iron stores -- ferritin normalises within 4-8 weeks vs 3-6 months with oral iron
- Reserved for: intolerance to oral iron, malabsorption, inflammatory bowel disease, or significant anaemia requiring fast correction
- Cannot be administered via telehealth -- requires in-person infusion at a clinic
- A telehealth consult can assess eligibility and arrange an appropriate referral for IV iron infusion
Source: Therapeutic Guidelines -- Blood and Oncology, 2023; Australian Red Cross Lifeblood iron management guidelines; IRONMANSTUDIES alternate-day iron dosing evidence, 2021. This information is educational only and does not replace clinical assessment.
Specialist referral: Refer to a gastroenterologist if iron deficiency in a man or postmenopausal woman has no obvious cause -- GI blood loss (ulcer, polyp, colorectal cancer) must be excluded. Haematology referral for: severe symptomatic anaemia, iron deficiency not responding to oral supplementation, suspected inflammatory or genetic causes (hereditary haemochromatosis). Women with heavy periods causing iron deficiency should also be referred to gynaecology for menorrhagia management.
Iron Deficiency & Anaemia in Australia
Iron deficiency affects approximately 1 in 5 Australian women of reproductive age
12% of Australian women have iron deficiency anaemia (haemoglobin below normal)
Vegetarians and vegans are at 1.8x higher risk of iron deficiency due to lower bioavailability of non-haem iron
Iron deficiency in the absence of obvious cause warrants investigation for coeliac disease (affects 1 in 70 Australians)
Recovery
Whattoexpect
Typical recovery timeline and return-to-work guidance for most patients.
Typical recovery
With oral supplements: energy typically improves within 2-4 weeks as haemoglobin rises. Full ferritin normalisation takes 3-6 months. Iron infusions produce faster results (1-2 weeks).
Return to work
Most people continue working with iron deficiency. Severe anaemia with significant breathlessness or dizziness may require 1-2 days off initially. Energy levels improve progressively over weeks with treatment.
When to reassess
Recheck blood tests 6-8 weeks after starting supplements to confirm response. See a doctor if symptoms are not improving despite supplementation (absorption issues?), if iron levels keep dropping despite treatment, or if you are a man or postmenopausal woman with new iron deficiency.
Self-Care
ManagingIronDeficiency&Anaemiaathome
Evidence-based tips to support your recovery alongside medical treatment.
Take iron supplements every OTHER day - research shows alternate-day dosing is as effective as daily with fewer gut side effects
Take iron with vitamin C (orange juice, capsicum, berries) - this increases absorption by up to 6x
Avoid tea, coffee, calcium supplements, and dairy within 2 hours of iron - they significantly inhibit absorption
Eat iron-rich foods: red meat (best absorbed), lentils, spinach, fortified cereals, tofu, chickpeas
If oral supplements cause constipation or nausea, try a different formulation (liquid iron, iron bisglycinate) or alternate-day dosing
Don't self-diagnose - get a blood test. Fatigue has many causes, and iron supplementation without deficiency can be harmful
FAQ
CommonquestionsaboutIronDeficiency&Anaemia
Answers to the most common questions from patients.
A blood test measuring serum ferritin (iron stores), serum iron, and full blood count is the gold standard. Common symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, breathlessness, and brittle nails - but these overlap with many other conditions, so testing is essential.
Common causes: heavy menstrual periods (the most common cause in premenopausal women), insufficient dietary intake (vegetarians/vegans), pregnancy, blood donation, and GI bleeding. In men and postmenopausal women, GI bleeding should always be investigated.
Ferrous sulfate or ferrous fumarate taken every other day (not daily) with vitamin C-rich food or drink maximises absorption with fewer side effects. Avoid taking iron with tea, coffee, or calcium within 2 hours.
With supplements, ferritin levels typically take 3-6 months to normalise. Haemoglobin improves within 2-4 weeks. Continue supplements for 3 months after levels normalise to replenish stores.
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Australian-registered doctors review your request when available.
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