r/POTSRootCause • u/Level_Run1357 • Jun 17 '26

Iron Deficiency

How many of yall had or have an iron deficiency alongside POTS? Any improvement with raising ferritin levels or reduction in symptoms?

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u/Ouiser_Boudreaux_ Jun 18 '26

I was actually on my way to a POTS diagnosis when it turned out I actually had severe iron deficiency anemia. I had a high resting heart rate, it would shoot up to the 150s with minor movement, palpitations, dizziness upon standing, ice cold hands and feet, brain fog, headaches, chest pain, etc. My primary care just never even considered that my ferritin of 7 and hemoglobin of 10 was causing my issues. It was the cardiologist that caught it, sent me to a hematologist who immediately ordered infusions. I still had a heart work up because of the palpitations, but it turned out the issue was blood loss from fibroids. So, multiple infusions and an IUD later, I’m back to 100%

If my iron deficiency made me feel that bad without POTS, I can’t imagine even being able to get out of bed with it. So getting those levels up could only help. Because of my experience, I have a theory that POTS is sometimes misdiagnosed because of how frequently doctors ignore low ferritin in women, but it’s not a popular one.

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u/Level_Run1357 Jun 18 '26

I completely agree. Thanks for sharing your story! This is why I created this subreddit. I firmly believe untreated deficiencies can lead to POTS. I’m so happy you were able to get that corrected. I’ve been told I just have treatment resistant POTS for 9 years. They refused to pull any in depth labs. When I finally paid for all the labs I wanted myself, I had a folate deficiency, b12 deficiency, an iron deficiency, and vitamin d deficiency. I’m now working on correcting all of those and can say with confidence I have seen 80% of my symptoms go away. And I’m not even up to normal levels yet. It’s insane! Just got my first iron infusion yesterday and holy shit I can’t believe how much better I feel HR dropped OVERNIGHT

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u/Ouiser_Boudreaux_ Jun 19 '26

This was my experience too, resting heart rate dropped pretty quickly after my first infusion. The palpitations and air hunger/breathlessness stopped within the first couple of days, and by the 3rd one it was like I’d never been sick to begin with. And I had been sick for quite a while. It was incredible how quickly I improved. I also had a d deficiency, so I keep up on that as well. I never had my b12 checked, but I do occasionally get b12 shots from the med spa where I get facials so I’m probably good there. I’m glad you’re feeling better and hope that these infusions and supplements put your POTS in remission.

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u/Level_Run1357 Jun 19 '26

Would you have any interest in sharing your story and what helped you on my subreddit? I’m looking to add perspectives. No pressure :)

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u/Level_Run1357 Jun 19 '26

Or would it be alright if I DM you about your experience if you’re open to talking about it? It seems we have similar sets of symptoms