Strong & Nourished Momma · November 2, 2026 · 29 min
124 | Ferritin Levels Postpartum: The New Iron Guidelines + What to Ask Your Doctor
Exhausted, foggy, out of breath on the stairs, and told your labs are "normal"? Your ferritin, your iron stores, could be the missing piece. In this episode, sports dietitian and strength coach Val Warner, MS, RD, CSSD, shares her own ferritin numbers over six years (20 → 54 → 48 → 154) and breaks down the brand-new 2026 American Society of Hematology guidelines for diagnosing iron deficiency. You'll learn why asking your doctor to "check your iron" can get you the wrong test, what a full iron panel and CBC actually tell you, why so many postpartum moms run low on iron, and how inflammation can hide low iron behind a "normal" ferritin. In this episode, you'll learn: Why ferritin, not serum iron, is the key test, and how you can be iron deficient without being anemic What's in an iron panel (TIBC, transferrin saturation, ferritin) and a CBC (MCV, MCH, RDW), in plain English The main types of anemia, and why B12, folate, B6, and copper matter for iron Why pregnancy, birth, and postpartum life drain your iron stores The new ASH ferritin cutoffs: 30 or below for most women, up to 50 with symptoms or when planning a pregnancy How inflammation and the hormone hepcidin affect ferritin and iron absorption Iron supplements, the what and why: testing first, gentler forms like iron bisglycinate, and dosing Common iron myths, plus quick food tips for better absorption Grab the free guide: Download 8 Labs for Every Postpartum Momma so you know exactly what to ask your doctor for: wellnessbyval.com/labs Want to talk through your results? Book a free 15-minute call: wellnessbyval.com/call Episodes mentioned: Ep 95: The 4 Nutrient Deficiencies Stealing Your Energy as a Momma: Iron, B12, Folate & Vitamin D Ep 121: Postpartum Hair Loss: Why It Happens, When It Stops & When to Worry Resources & Links: FREE Lab Guide for Moms: https://wellnessbyval.kit.com/labs Book a free 15-minute consult call with Val: wellnessbyval.com/call Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/newsletter Core Comeback Challenge: wellnessbyval.com/core Connect with Val Instagram: @wellnessbyval_ Website: wellnessbyval.com This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with questions about breastfeeding, postpartum nutrition, or your individual health needs. Research mentioned in this episode: Powers JM, et al. American Society of Hematology 2026 guidelines for diagnosis of iron deficiency. Blood Advances. 2026;10(21):7353. https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2025015950 American Society of Hematology. ASH Sets New Standards for Diagnosing Iron Deficiency (press release). hematology.org McCarthy EK, et al. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2024 (iron status across pregnancy in first-time moms, IMPROvED consortium). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.08.010 Milman N. Postpartum anemia I: definition, prevalence, causes, and consequences. Annals of Hematology. 2011;90(11):1247–53. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21710167/ Fischer JAJ, Cherian AM, Bone JN, Karakochuk CD. The effects of oral ferrous bisglycinate supplementation on hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrition Reviews. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36728680/ Stoffel NU, et al. Iron absorption from supplements is greater with alternate day than with consecutive day dosing in iron-deficient anemic women. Haematologica. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2019.220830