Your fatigue may not be just stress could low iron be the reason

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published April 13, 2026

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Many women in Canada explain ongoing fatigue as stress, lack of sleep, or the pressure of daily life. But there is another common possibility that deserves more attention: low iron. Health Canada says that 1 in 4 women aged 14 to 50 have low iron, and newcomers are twice as likely to have low iron.

Iron is essential for making red blood cells and carrying oxygen throughout the body. When iron levels drop, women may begin to feel persistent fatigue, weakness, reduced concentration, and lower productivity. Health Canada also notes that low iron can lead to anemia, a condition in which the body makes fewer healthy red blood cells.

One reason this issue is easy to miss is that the symptoms can seem ordinary at first. Tiredness, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, and difficulty focusing may easily be mistaken for routine exhaustion. That is why low iron can remain unnoticed for longer than it should, especially among women balancing work, caregiving, and daily responsibilities.

Some groups face higher risk. The body needs more iron during adolescence and pregnancy, and Canadian maternity guidelines recommend a daily multivitamin containing iron during pregnancy. National guidance also notes higher anemia risk among some groups, including newly immigrant women and women with absorption problems or diets that may not provide enough iron.

Health Canada recommends getting iron from foods such as lean red meat, egg yolks, beans, peas, lentils, dark green vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, shellfish, and fortified grain products. Iron absorption improves when meals include vitamin C-rich foods, while tea, coffee, and calcium supplements can reduce absorption if taken with meals.

So when fatigue does not go away, the answer may not always be emotional strain alone. Sometimes, the body is asking for iron. Women with ongoing symptoms should consider discussing them with a health professional, especially during pregnancy, during reproductive years, or after arrival in Canada as a newcomer.