They blame poor sleep, stress, work, getting older or the condition itself.
But for many patients, low iron stores are quietly making everything harder.
If you feel drained by lunchtime, struggle to exercise the way you used to, find yourself relying on caffeine to get through the day or constantly wonder why you never seem to have any energy, iron deficiency could be contributing.
The aha moment for many patients is discovering that even when bowel symptoms improve, iron stores may still be depleted.
At Holden’s Chemist Express, we provide iron deficiency assessment and IV iron treatment for appropriate patients in Newark and Doncaster.
Why Ulcerative Colitis Can Cause Low Iron
Ulcerative colitis can increase the risk of iron deficiency for several reasons.
- Blood loss during flare-ups
- Chronic inflammation affecting iron metabolism
- Reduced dietary intake during periods of active disease
- Difficulty tolerating oral iron supplements
- Increased iron requirements during recovery
As a result, many patients with ulcerative colitis develop low ferritin levels, with or without anaemia.
Symptoms That May Be Linked to Low Iron
- Persistent fatigue
- Low energy
- Brain fog
- Poor concentration
- Breathlessness
- Dizziness
- Hair thinning
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Restless legs
- Feeling weak or run down
You’ve Taken the Tablets. So Why Are You Still Tired?
This is one of the most common frustrations for people living with ulcerative colitis.
You’ve taken the supplements. You’ve followed the advice. Yet your ferritin remains low and your energy levels never seem to recover.
Unfortunately, oral iron tablets do not always work effectively.
Some patients struggle to absorb enough iron, while others stop treatment because the side effects become difficult to tolerate.
Common side effects include:
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Abdominal discomfort
The result is often the same.
Months pass. Ferritin remains low. Energy remains poor. Life continues to feel harder than it should.
If you’ve been told your iron is low and nothing seems to be changing, it may be time to understand why.
Iron Assessment & Treatment Package – £649
Our complete iron deficiency pathway includes:
- Comprehensive iron blood testing, including ferritin, full blood count and iron studies
- Clinical review of your results
- Independent Prescriber consultation
- 500mg IV iron infusion if clinically appropriate
- Monitoring during treatment
- Aftercare and follow-up advice
IV iron is only provided where clinically appropriate following review of your blood results and medical history.
When IV Iron May Be Appropriate
IV iron may be considered where blood results confirm low iron stores and oral iron has not worked, has not been tolerated, or is unlikely to be effective.
For patients with ulcerative colitis, this can be particularly relevant where ferritin remains low despite oral supplementation or where gastrointestinal symptoms make tablets difficult to tolerate.
What Happens Next?
- Complete our enquiry form and tell us about your symptoms, blood results and medical history.
- We review your information and advise whether testing or assessment is needed.
- If appropriate, treatment can be arranged following prescriber review.
If your symptoms are not caused by iron deficiency, we will explain this clearly and advise on the most appropriate next steps.
How Long Have You Been Telling Yourself It’s Just Your Colitis?
Many patients spend months, or even years, assuming exhaustion is simply part of living with ulcerative colitis.
They push through work. Push through family life. Push through exercise.
Eventually, feeling exhausted becomes normal.
But if low ferritin is contributing to your symptoms, simply accepting fatigue may mean missing an opportunity to feel significantly better.
If you are constantly tired, struggling with brain fog, relying on caffeine to get through the day or wondering why you still don’t feel like yourself, the first step is understanding what your iron levels are doing now.
Our iron deficiency pathway combines comprehensive blood testing, clinical review and IV iron treatment where appropriate.
Let’s find out whether low iron is still holding you back.
Supporting Patients Across Newark, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire
We regularly support patients from Newark, Lincoln, Gainsborough, Retford, Worksop, Doncaster, Bassetlaw, Sheffield and surrounding areas who are experiencing iron deficiency alongside ulcerative colitis.
Many patients come to us after struggling with ongoing fatigue, persistently low ferritin, poor response to iron tablets or iron deficiency that continues to return following treatment.
Our clinics in Newark and Doncaster provide comprehensive iron assessment, blood testing, independent prescriber review and IV iron treatment where clinically appropriate.
We frequently see patients travelling from across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire because access to dedicated iron deficiency assessment and IV iron treatment can be limited locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ulcerative colitis cause low ferritin?
Yes. Ulcerative colitis is a common cause of iron deficiency because chronic inflammation and blood loss can deplete iron stores over time.
Can I have low ferritin even if my ulcerative colitis is under control?
Yes. Some patients continue to experience low ferritin despite their bowel symptoms being relatively stable.
Why do iron tablets upset my stomach?
Oral iron commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects including constipation, diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal discomfort.
Will I definitely need IV iron?
No. IV iron is only offered where blood results and clinical assessment show it is appropriate.
How quickly might I feel better?
Many patients notice improvement within 2 to 6 weeks, although response varies depending on the severity of deficiency and any underlying cause.