Severe Consequences After TBI : Latent Iron Deficiency and Long‑Term Brain Injury Recovery

Latent Iron Deficiency After TBI

It turns out I was low on iron, and I had no idea.

Ten years ago, I was in a car accident. According to doctors, I suffered a "mild concussion": with no loss of consciousness, no open wound.

On paper, it looked insignificant.

In real life, it dismantled my ability to function for nearly eight years.

There was nothing mild about my traumatic brain injury.

Because I wasn’t in a coma and my skull wasn’t cracked open, my injury was dismissed. Yet the lived experience told a very different story. I will say it plainly: what I lived through felt like a severe brain injury.

Peri‑menopause may have compounded my struggle, but it does not justify how thoroughly my symptoms were minimized.

Eventually, after countless appointments and little help, I stopped seeking doctors and relied on what I did know. Being a health coach in my profession, educated in nutrition in my first career, teaching yoga and is many forms, having an ongoing spiritual practice, and being deeply self‑observant, I had many tools in my hands that could contribute to my full recovery, which I was intent on attaining.

I also understood, that it was "God's Will" that would prevail in the end. And I was perfectly aligned with this outcome. He held me daily in His arms, which gave me the strength to move forward and live one more day.

When Healing Finally Began

True neurological healing didn’t start until I introduced a stem‑cell‑activating product into my routine.

You can read more about it here: Start x39 and you can acquire it here with my affiliate link .

It took nine months before I felt anything resembling “normal.” And even then, normal meant:

• Taking a shower without crashing afterward

• Cleaning the house and remembering what I had just done

• Working on a computer for a few hours without getting massive head-pain

• Retaining spoken information long enough to write it down

• Walking for 15 minutes without stopping multiple times to recover

One day, I realized I could do all of these things in a single day without straining!

That was a miracle.

Before that, I had to choose one activity or maybe two, and then sleep the rest of the day. This is not exaggeration. If you are living this reality, you know exactly what I mean.

A Note for Those Living With TBI

Please hear this:

• Do not feel guilty for not being who you were before

• Do not force yourself to “push through” to appease others

• Your family may not understand because you look normal

• People may think you are exaggerating or pretending

Ignore them. Protect your nervous system. Care for yourself.

A traumatic brain injury is a constant state of stress that cannot be explained to those who haven’t lived it.

The Ripple Effect on My Body After Recovering from my TBI

Even after my brain began to heal, my body was far from well. Years of neurological dysfunction created systemic chaos:

• Non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease

• Heart disease

• Deep vein thrombosis

• Cystic fibrosis

• Borderline type 2 diabetes

• Pancreatitis

• Chronic dry cough

• Severe digestive and nutrient absorption issues

That I survived this period feels nothing short of miraculous. I know I was held by Spirit. My daily spiritual exercises and contemplative practices were not optional, they were how I raised my energy to overcome excrutiating physical pain and it is how I survived this very trying time.

Restorative & Healing Yoga practice with spirituality kept me calm, grounded, and alive.

Returning to Iron — The Missing Link

Looking back, I believe I had been iron deficient since shortly after my accident. I had persistent pain on the left side of my neck and shoulder that worsened after menopause.

Iron deficiency wasn’t new to me. In my late 20s, after years of vegetarianism, I became anemic—likely lacking iron, B vitamins (particularly B12), amino acids, and essential minerals best found primarily in red meat and seafood.

Still, I didn’t connect the dots.

For ten years post‑TBI, I struggled with:

• Shortness of breath

• Racing heart during mild exertion

• Severe fatigue

• Dizziness

• Exercise weakenesses

Because a Traumatic Brain Injury causes so many symptoms, iron deficiency flew under the radar.

Iron and the Injured Brain

Iron deficiency is surprisingly common after concussion and TBI.

• Anemia affects 40–50% of hospitalized TBI patients

• Blood loss, inflammation, and impaired iron metabolism are common

• Low iron can worsen secondary brain injury and delay recovery

The brain requires iron. So does every cell in the body.

What Changed When I Replenished Iron

Although I followed a ketogenic and now a “dirty” carnivore diet (including organ meats), it wasn’t enough.

When I intentionally replenished iron, through supplementation and increased organ meats, everything shifted within three days:

• No more racing heart on hikes

• No breathlessness

• No more pain in m left arm! (unbelievable to me as it happened in one day)

• Increased overall strength in yoga

• No dizziness with head movement

• No overheating after meals

• No unexplained anxiety

• A return to balance

Another piece of the puzzle fell into place.

Key Functions of Iron

• Oxygen transport (hemoglobin)

• Energy production

• Immune system support

• Brain development and cognition

• Muscle metabolism

• Hormone and protein synthesis

Women retain significantly less iron than men—about 300 mg for about 6 months, compared to 1200 mg in men for up to 3 years.

Recognizing Low Iron After TBI

• Persistent fatigue

• Brain fog

• Anxiety or mood swings

• Dizziness

• Pallor (inner eyelids, nail beds)

• Exercise intolerance

A Conscious Approach to Iron Supplementation

Always confirm iron deficiency through blood testing. Iron is not a supplement to take casually. Excess iron can lead to constipation and other health issues.

In my own practice, I approach supplementation with intention. I cycle iron rather than taking it continuously, and I muscle test daily to assess whether a supplement is supportive at that time. I also monitor my markers periodically through blood work.

Unlike many vitamins, iron is not easily eliminated through urine or fecal matter when taken in excess. If there is a surplus, the body will store it and draw from that reserve over time until it is depleted.

In this instance, I took 18 mg of iron per day for three consecutive days, then stopped.

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Thorne Advance Iron Complex is another great option

Now Supplements does a great job too.

That short cycle was enough to restore my levels and provide what feels like a sufficient reserve for the coming months.

In addition to supplementation, I include beef liver in my diet weekly, which is a rich and bioavailable source of iron.

I will continue to check in with my body and reassess periodically to determine if additional iron is needed.

For me, the signal is very clear: when I experience pain in my left arm and the left side of my head, I know it is time to gently replenish my iron stores.

Important Note:

The information shared in this article is based on my personal experience and professional background in holistic health and yoga. I am not a medical doctor, and this content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Every body is different. Before making changes to your diet, lifestyle, or supplement routine, especially when it comes to iron, it is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare provider and have appropriate blood work done. Iron supplementation should always be approached with care and individualized guidance.