In this episode, Dr. Toby Richards talks with Helen Osborne about:

• The important distinction between iron deficiency and anemia, explaining why iron deficiency is the underlying disease process and anemia is often just one of its manifestations, and why this changes how clinicians should evaluate and treat patients.
• How identifying and correcting iron deficiency before major surgery can improve patient fitness, reduce complications, and decrease the need for blood transfusions, particularly with the use of modern intravenous iron therapy.
• The underrecognized impact of heavy menstrual bleeding on women’s health, including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, anxiety, and restless legs, and why checking serum ferritin rather than relying only on a complete blood count is essential.