What Postpartum ADHD Taught Me About Iron: It's Not Just About Low Levels

I struggled with ADHD as far back as I can remember—we're talking 5th grade multiplication tables. It went undiagnosed for a long time, until after college, when I finally had the courage (and the knowledge) to advocate for myself.

I’ll never forget one psychiatrist who told me I didn’t have ADHD because my mom didn’t remember me struggling as a kid. She literally had my mom fill out a random survey about my childhood memories. It was weird. Safe to say, I never went back.

And to think—if I had accepted those first couple of "nos" and "your labs look fine," I never would have found someone who actually listened.

For years, I dealt with anxiety that felt random, like it had no trigger. But once I began learning about my body systems and nervous system wiring, I realized those anxious surges were linked to my ADHD.

So when pregnancy and postpartum came around, I was prepared. I had been supporting my cognitive function for a long time. I had ADHD-proofed my grocery shopping, meal prep, and meal building.

It was still challenging, but not impossible. And my health never went completely off the rails like so many new moms tell me theirs did.

If I have one regret? It's not getting my baseline labs before pregnancy. I never had a real read on my tissue or serum iron levels, so I don’t know if what I’m seeing now is something I’ve carried for years or something new that emerged postpartum. Either way, I’ll have those baselines next time (God willing).

The Iron Panel That Didn't Add Up

My postpartum bloodwork showed something surprising:

• Serum iron: 193 µg/dL (high-normal)

• TIBC: 285 µg/dL (low-normal)

• UIBC: 92 µg/dL (low)

• Transferrin saturation: 68% (high)

• Transferrin: 224 mg/dL (normal)

  
  

If you looked only at my blood, you might think: “Iron looks OK, no need for further testing.”

But then I ran my HTMA.

• Tissue iron: 1.2 mg% (low-normal)

  
  

And this is why I love functional testing. Bloodwork shows what’s circulating right now. HTMA shows what your cells are actually doing with it.

The Missing Link: Copper and ADHD Symptoms

What I learned is this: Without enough bioavailable copper, iron can’t be escorted safely into your red blood cells or tissues. It floats around, unbound—like a teenager at the mall, up to no good.

That unbound iron creates oxidative stress. It damages brain pathways. It slows neurotransmitter activity. It overwhelms mitochondria.

It feels like:

• Brain fog

• Poor focus

• Mood swings

• Fatigue

• Low motivation

  
  

So basically—my ADHD symptoms, amplified.

And postpartum is the perfect storm for this kind of imbalance. During pregnancy, copper levels naturally rise. After birth, they plummet. Combine that with stress, sleepless nights, and nutrient depletion? You’ve got a recipe for dysregulation.

Family Health is Collective Health

What really put things into perspective? Running labs on my family.

I tested my husband’s HTMA. Elevated iron. I reviewed my brother’s bloodwork. Elevated iron.

Family health is the most important thing, IMO. If we’re not supporting and motivating each other to feel better and do better, then what’s the point?

That’s why I’m dragging them both to donate blood with me.

Because when iron is high, that’s the only way to bring it down.

In men, elevated iron can impair testosterone production, slow cognitive function, and quietly increase inflammation and disease risk.

Signs & Symptoms of High Iron in Males:

🧠 Cognitive & Mood

• Brain fog or poor memory

• Irritability or mood swings

• Anxiety or restlessness

• Lack of motivation

• “Flat” or low drive (mentally + physically)

• Poor focus, ADHD-like symptoms

🔍 Why: Unbound iron generates oxidative stress in the brain, impairs neurotransmitters like dopamine, and can damage neuronal signaling.

💪 Hormonal & Sexual

• Low libido

• Erectile dysfunction

• Fatigue despite rest

• Decreased testosterone

• Sluggish recovery after workouts

🔍 Why: High iron can damage Leydig cells (testosterone producers) and impair the pituitary-gonadal signaling axis. It’s also associated with lower free testosterone and higher oxidative burden on reproductive tissues.

💉 Metabolic & Energy

• Chronic fatigue or afternoon energy crashes

• Poor blood sugar control

• Insulin resistance

• Belly fat or weight gain despite exercise

• Slow muscle recovery

• Cold hands/feet or poor circulation

🔍 Why: Iron overload stresses the liver and mitochondria, increases inflammation, and contributes to metabolic inflexibility.

🔥 Inflammation & Immune

• Joint pain or stiffness (especially in fingers/hands)

• Frequent headaches

• Skin issues like redness or flushing

• Digestive issues (especially if paired with liver congestion)

• High hs-CRP or ferritin on labs

🔍 Why: Iron feeds pathogenic bacteria, drives systemic inflammation, and can increase susceptibility to hidden infections and immune reactivity.

💡 Key Lab Markers to Watch:

• Serum Iron > 170 µg/dL (for men)

• Transferrin Saturation > 50–55%

• Ferritin > 200–300 ng/mL (optimal <150)

• UIBC: Low

• HTMA Iron: Elevated or poor clearance

• Low Ceruloplasmin or Copper → signals poor regulation, not just excess

  
  

This isn’t just about me—it’s about creating generational awareness.

What to Do When Iron is High but You're Still Tired

You stop guessing. You stop chasing quick fixes. You look at the whole picture.

• HTMA shows what's happening at the tissue level.

• Bloodwork shows what’s circulating in the moment.

✅ What to Do if Iron Is High:

• Donate blood (most effective way to reduce levels)

• Focus on copper-rich foods (cashews, liver, cacao) to support proper iron metabolism

• Avoid excess vitamin C supplements near iron-rich meals

• Reduce red meat temporarily

• Add antioxidant support (polyphenols, turmeric, berries, NAC)

• Test for ceruloplasmin and inflammation markersAnd most importantly, you focus on balance, not just “levels.”

For me, that meant:

• No iron supplements

• Supporting copper through strategy: specific tier dosage supplements, cashews, cacao

• Antioxidants to buffer oxidative stress

• Protein and mineral-rich meals to rebuild mitochondria

  
  

And slowly—my brain cleared. My focus came back. My energy stopped crashing.

The Takeaway

If you’ve ever felt dismissed by a provider… if you’ve been told you’re fine when you know you’re not… or if you’re postpartum and your ADHD symptoms feel like they’re taking over again:

You are not crazy. You might just be out of balance.

This is why I do what I do.

If you want help turning labs into a real protocol that supports your brain, hormones, minerals, and metabolism, email me (erin@integrativeweightandwellness.com) “INTENSIVE” and I’ll send you the details on my Integrative Nutrition Intensive.

And if this story resonates with you? Share it with someone who needs real answers—not just another supplement.