Similar to weight training, your body is internally pumping iron. Iron shapes the way we feel; whether we are feeling energized or tired.

Dr. Lowell Hart, Research Director for Florida Cancer Specialists says, “people should not say, ‘I’m feeling tired. I think I need to take an iron pill to feel better’ because that might be the wrong thing to take.”

He says that rundown feeling could signal a problem with your iron levels. “There are many causes of fatigue. There are many causes of anemia. Iron deficiency is one cause of anemia and if someone is low in iron, it’s important to find out why.”

Sometimes the body can accumulate too much iron. That buildup can lead to a condition known as hemochromatosis “If you’re feeling tired because of the fact that you are getting iron overloaded from hemochromatosis, then taking iron pills certainly isn’t going to be to your benefit. It will make things worse,” explains Dr. Hart.

Sometimes, irregular iron levels can signal another underlying problem. “They could be bleeding, could be having heavy periods, they could have colon cancer, or stomach cancer, or something where they are losing blood,” adds Dr. Hart.

He recommends you see a physician rather than reach for an iron supplement if you are feeling fatigued. A simple blood test can help determine if your iron levels are normal or not.