166: Is Iron Deficiency Being Misunderstood with Samantha Chandler

In this episode of Learning to Glow, I’m joined by Samantha Chandler to explore a completely different perspective on iron, heavy periods, and women’s health.

Samantha shares how a “low iron” blood test during pregnancy led her down a path of iron supplementation, postpartum complications, and eventually a deeper investigation into how iron actually functions in the body. We talk about the difference between iron levels in the blood versus how iron moves through tissues, why ferritin levels can be misunderstood, and why many women with heavy periods may actually be dealing with iron dysregulation rather than simple deficiency.

We also discuss the key nutrients that support healthy iron metabolism, including copper, vitamin A, whole food vitamin C, and electrolytes. Samantha shares why she believes food quality matters, how modern iron fortification may play a role in mineral imbalance, and simple ways women can start supporting their bodies through nutrient dense foods.

This conversation challenges some of the common narratives around iron deficiency and invites women to look deeper at root causes when it comes to fatigue, heavy periods, and mineral balance.

In this episode we talk about:

• Why “low iron” on a blood test may not tell the full story
• The difference between iron deficiency and poor iron circulation
• Why ferritin levels are often misunderstood
• The connection between heavy menstrual bleeding and iron regulation
• Nutrients that support iron movement including copper and vitamin A
• Cod liver oil, beef liver, and whole food sources of minerals

Find Samantha: Click here