Interestingly the human body preserves hemoglobin production (preventing anemia) pretty well until late stages of iron deficiency. Iron has a role in many biological processes in the body beyond hemoglobin production which is likely part of why symptoms can develop before anemia! It’s one of the many reasons why it’s important to think of iron deficiency as a clinician even in the absence of anemia, and notice small changes in blood count indices that can herald bigger problems! One of my favori

How Many of These 6 Iron Deficiency Signs Do You Have?