The people I've seen with the iron problems have an almost gray color to their skin? Not all, but several that had confirmed the iron problems.Here is another possibility... About 4 years ago I could never sleep more that 1-2 hours in a single session. It was probably the worst period in my life - thus far. I'd get up, get dressed, walk for miles thinking maybe I could wear myself out. Problem was I was already working 10 hour days - I was exhausted. I tried OTC sleeping aids. At one point I even went back to drinking alcohol. That simply compounded the problem. If you've never been where, no matter how tired you are, you can't get real meaningful sleep over long periods of time you simply can not imagine the effects it has on you after 6 months or so. It ain't pretty!
Told my cardiologist I was having problems sleeping and he referred me to a sleep specialist. Well of course they tried to diagnose the problem as a sleep disorder - which it was not. One trip to the sleep specialist was all I did.
At this period in time I was also struggling with cramps in my legs. I must'a drank 50 gallons of pickle juice. It worked so I did it.
Went to a general practitioner who directed me to a Nurse Practitioner. The NP sent me to the lab for blood work. Went back the next day for the results. First thing the NP asked was "Have you ever been diagnosed for Iron deficiency Anemia?
Nope, not until just now.
She sent me to a Hematologist and over the next couple of weeks I would go and get IV drips of iron, and other things but I don't recall exactly what. I would go in twice a week I think. After about a week my life returned to normal, well about as normal as my life is apt to get. I got back the ability to sleep through the night. Cramps went away. Life is good.