The Fertility Dietician - Panel 1

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional problem in Australia. It slows your body’s production of haemoglobin, which your red blood cells need to pick up oxygen from your lungs and carry it to every cell in your body. If you have a shortage of iron you experience symptoms of anaemia, which include feeling breathless after little exercise, feeling tired, heart palpitations and looking pale.

This blood test helps identify nutritional deficiencies or absorption issues that may contribute to anaemia, fatigue or cognitive changes. Active B12 provides a more sensitive assessment of metabolic B12 availability and helps detect early deficiency that may not appear on standard total B12 testing.

Vitamin D is essential for bone strength as it helps the intestines absorb calcium. Calcium and vitamin D play a critical role in developing and maintaining your overall bone health, and when you don’t get enough you increase your risk of developing osteoporosis and the incidence of stress fractures.

TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) helps assess thyroid function which plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, mood, energy levels, and menstrual health. Early detection of thyroid imbalances, even in the absence of symptoms, can prevent complications such as fatigue, weight changes, fertility issues, and mood disturbances.

People with coeliac disease who eat gluten have higher than normal levels of tissue transglutaminase antibodies in their blood. These antibodies are produced by the immune system because it views gluten - the proteins found in wheat, rye and barley - as a threat. This test is positive in about 98% of patients with coeliac disease who are on a gluten-containing diet. Note that a negative result does not necessarily exclude coeliac disease, and if you are symptomatic you may require further testing. A biopsy of the small intestine is the only way to formally diagnose coeliac disease.