Iron deficiency and eczema
I am following the eczema diet now since the beginning of November 2024 and have seen a big difference and 95-99% improvement of my hand eczema.
Out of a recent blood test is coming that I have iron deficiency.
I have no typical symptoms of iron deficiency.
I recently found out that iron deficiency and gluten intolerance and eczema are all related to each other.
I saw a big improvement after stopping of consuming dairy products.
When I started eating a gluten free diet, there was more and more improvement.
I also eat more organic chicken instead of a plant based diet.
I am 100% sure this was just a little bit of all the changes that I made to get rid of the hand eczema.
Full wonder I am praising the Eczema Diet and creams and other life style related tips that Karen Fischer gives through her books and website. I am very thankful.
Ofcourse I do not want to mess up my great skin and will stay on the diet and use the creams.
Could you please tell me if I use the am and pm powders if this will be enough to improve my iron levels.
If not, should I take a higher level of ferrous gluconate as that is also in the am supplement?
I have tried for 2 years to improve my iron level by diet, but without results.
The National Health Service in England would love me to come back in giving blood, but for giving blood your iron level needs to be 125.
Are there any points that I need to be aware of to improve iron levels with the Eczema diet in the back of mind?
Last month I became aware that I started perimenopause.
For myself I am feeling good and if I have not done a bloodtest I wouldn't know I have iron deficiency.
Please advice.
Hi Irma,
Thank you so much for sharing your journey — it’s truly inspiring to hear about the incredible progress you’ve made with the Eczema Diet! A 95–99% improvement in your hand eczema is amazing, and it’s clear that your dedication and thoughtful changes — like going dairy- and gluten-free, switching to organic chicken, and following the lifestyle tips — have played a big role. It’s wonderful to hear you're feeling well and confident in your skin now!
Regarding your iron deficiency: if this has been diagnosed through a blood test and your doctor has recommended supplementation, then yes — it’s important to follow their advice. Since you’ve tried improving iron levels through diet alone for a couple of years without success, supplementation may indeed be necessary at this stage.
When choosing a supplement, it's best to go for one without additives to avoid triggering any reactions. Solgar makes a gentle iron supplement that might be suitable, but I do recommend checking the ingredients carefully — especially if you have allergies or sensitivities. A good step would be to call the manufacturer directly and ask for a complete list of excipients (fillers, binders, etc.) before purchasing, just to be safe.
As for AM and PM: while AM does contain a small amount of iron, it’s not a high-dose supplement. So if your levels are low and not improving, this likely won’t be enough on its own to correct a deficiency. Your doctor might recommend a separate iron supplement at a therapeutic dose to get your levels back up to where they should be.
Since you're also entering perimenopause — a time when iron levels can fluctuate — it's especially important to keep an eye on this and continue monitoring with your doctor.
Continue to follow the eczema diet program, which supports your gut health and, in turn, may help improve absorption over time.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions!
Bonnie