Approaching these common lab values with this mindset, could eliminate that bias and its subsequent medical neglect. Instead, there are cost-value algorithms about why not to obtain a ferritin and empirically give poorly treated and ineffective oral supplementation.

As a field, we treat iron-deficiency only when hgb drops outside of published ranges, when at minimum, we should respond to a drop from the healthiest baseline that patient has established. We then subscribe many of the symptoms of iron-deficiency to age, social stressors, pregnancy state, & gender.

After my own experience with years of iron-deficiency, my years as an ob/gyn, and the amazing advocacy of @shematologist.bsky.social, I believe that we have failed women in this manner for decades. 1

Thank you for seeing this and for being someone who bears witness. Having someone else acknowledge one’s moral injury & grief helps. Don’t Look Up captures this feeling of impotence within a culture of ignorance so well. While watching it mid-pandemic, my physician husband and I felt seen finally.