Australian women are facing a silent epidemic of fatigue, brain fog and illness often caused by iron and vitamin D deficiencies, with experts saying early testing is critical to help treat it.

More than one in five Australians overall are deficient in vitamin D while approximately two million are iron deficient.

Women are more likely to lack iron than men due to blood loss in menstruation and having higher iron requirements.

Iron supports energy and immune functions by helping produce haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood, and is stored as ferritin.

Up to 15 per cent of non-pregnant women and nearly 12 per cent of those with child are iron deficient.

Girls between 14 and 18 are particularly vulnerable, with 40 per cent falling short of the recommended intake.

Fatigue, mood s

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