Many intertwined factors can contribute to the prevalence of Depression in an individual’s life; some are biologically predetermined while others are circumstantial and localized. Though major depressive disorder (MDD) is a multifaceted condition with often obfuscated causes, nutritional deficiencies are one of many possible causes for the onset of Depression.
Chief among this nutritional hierarchy is iron—a mineral whose presence affects proper brain functioning—leaving many to wonder, “Can low iron make you depressed?” And if so, can iron supplementation combat Depression’s negative impacts?
Understanding the Link Between Iron Deficiency and Depression
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), iron is the most common mineral deficiency in the world, affecting about 25% of the global population. Low iron levels in the body can lead to a condition called iron-deficiency anemia, symptoms of which include unexplained fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Today’s research has explored tentative links between iron deficiency and mental health, begging the question: can low iron make you depressed?
Can Low Iron Make You Depressed?
Iron plays an essential role in the human body, regulating vital functions such as oxygen transport, energy production, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Within this synthesis, iron is an essential cofactor in enzymes such as tryptophan hydroxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase, enzymes that are responsible for the production of serotonin and dopamine. Imbalances in both serotonin and dopamine have long been considered as possible causes of MDD.
The main research linking iron supplementation and Depression has consisted of various reviews spread out over the past decade, the large body of which have relied on self-reported statistics. One 2018 web-based survey used the 6-item Kessler Scale (K6) score to evaluate 11,876 Japanese participants in efforts to link their self-reported histories of Depression and iron-deficiency anemia, finding the results to be positively correlated.
However, in 2011, Psychiatry Research published a study in which researchers evaluated 528 middle-aged Japanese workers for links between Depression and levels of serum ferritin (the body’s iron store). While men with decreased levels of serum ferritin were more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms, the study concluded that “no significant association was detected in women.”
According to the Research, Can Iron Supplementation Help Depression?
While the research linking iron deficiency and psychiatric disorders shows potential promise, using iron supplementation to mitigate and treat Depression is still unfortunately tentative—at best. Though iron supplementation would certainly be an accessible and safe adjunctive treatment for MDD, this option needs substantial evidence-based trials in order to be fully understood.
Beyond its inefficacy for depression, iron supplementation can cause adverse gastrointestinal effects in up to 70% of patients, with no clear guidelines as to “the amount of iron per dose to prescribe.” One study found that large doses of orally administered iron may reduce iron absorption, rendering it functionally ineffective.
Evaluating the Gaps in Using Iron Supplementation as a Treatment for MDD
While iron supplementation may benefit individuals suffering from symptoms related to iron deficiency and iron-deficient anemia, it can be empirically challenging to separate this abatement from a depressive remission period given that the two disorders present similarly. In other words, because both conditions cause symptoms such as fatigue and lethargy, iron supplementation may alleviate symptoms without ever addressing the root cause.
Clinicians have continued to search for treatments that are more likely to provide substantial, sustainable remission in patients.
One effective treatment option is transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, a way of treating Depression using safe, noninvasive technology. TMS uses electromagnetic coils to deliver high-frequency pulses to the brain, specifically targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(es) (DLPCs). Unlike iron supplementation, TMS is a well-proven effective approach to addressing Depression’s underlying causes.
Get Effective Treatment for MDD with Mid City TMS
After exploring the intertwined questions “Can low iron make you depressed?” and “Can iron supplementation help?” the answers given by current clinical researchers amount to a tentative shrug. While iron supplements can help ameliorate the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, addressing the multivalent nature of Depression depends on far more than just this one simplistic solution.
Mid City TMS offers comprehensive TMS treatment plans built to sustainably support patients with ongoing MDD. The body of research supporting TMS therapy as a proven treatment for Depression spans decades, and Mid City TMS is proud to be one of the longest-standing TMS practitioners in the New York region.
Contact us today to collaboratively discuss your needs and concerns before beginning your life-changing TMS journey.