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Every IBD patient will have likely had a run-in with iron deficiency or anaemia at some point while living with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. And for many of us it’s a constant problem.

So in this episode of Wrestling the Octopus: The IBD Patient Podcast, Nigel and I wanted to invite an iron expert to join us and talk us through what inflammatory bowel disease patients need to know about managing iron deficiency and anaemia.

And who better to invite than the iron guru himself?! Professor Toby Richards, a London-based vascular surgeon and founder of The Iron Clinic explains how iron affects everything from energy and performance to recovery and mental health. We also chat about common dietary myths (Popeye got it wrong!), iron infusions vs tablets and the realities of living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis when you’re low in iron. Whether you're newly diagnosed or managing long-term IBD, this episode will help you understand your iron levels and explore treatment options that work.

What We Cover In This Episode

The difference between iron deficiency and anaemia
Why normal haemoglobin doesn’t rule out iron deficiency
How low ferritin affects energy, cognition and mental health
The surprising overlap between iron deficiency and ADHD-like symptoms
Why menstruating women with IBD face a “double whammy” of iron loss
The pros and cons of oral iron vs. intravenous iron infusions
What to expect before, during and after an iron infusion
How iron deficiency can mimic anxiety, fatigue and brain fog
Why IBD patients often “normalise the abnormal”—and how iron treatment can address this problem and restore quality of life

IBD & Iron

IBD patients face unique challenges when dealing with low iron: chronic blood loss, inflammation that blocks iron transport, and gut sensitivity that makes oral iron hard to tolerate. Professor Richards explains why iron levels are different for people with Crohn's and UC, and how personalised care can dramatically improve our quality of life.

Mental Health & Iron:

Professor Richards tells us that in one study, 17% of women treated for anxiety or depression had low iron—and what happened after their iron levels were restored. He urges healthcare professionals to test iron before starting mental health medications, especially when symptoms like brain fog, fatigue and low mood are impacting on IBD patients' lives.

For more information on Professor Toby Richards and The Iron Clinic, please visit https://www.theironclinic.com/

Follow Rachel at @bottomlineibd

Follow Nigel at @crohnoid

#14 Iron Deficiency and Anaemia: What Every IBD Patient Should Know

Wrestling the Octopus (IBD)