Why You Should Check Your Iron Levels Before Going to the Mountains

If you're preparing for a high-altitude trek or a mountain climb, there's one important detail that often gets overlooked: iron.

When we talk about altitude sickness, acclimatization, and endurance, most people think about oxygen saturation, ECGs, and overall fitness. But there’s another key factor quietly working in the background - ferritin, the stored form of iron in your body.

During acclimatization, your body ramps up production of hemoglobin to transport more oxygen. But this process depends heavily on having enough iron.

Why This Matters

• If your ferritin levels are low, your body may struggle to produce enough hemoglobin for proper acclimatization.
• This can lead to headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, and poor recovery.
• In some cases, it may even force an early exit from your trek or climb.

What We Recommend

Before your trip, get a simple blood test to check:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) - to see your hemoglobin and red blood cell levels
• Ferritin - to assess your iron stores
• This is especially important if you’re female, athletic, recovering from illness, follow a restricted diet, or have had iron issues in the past.
• Important: Iron isn’t something you should supplement “just in case.” Too much can be harmful, so only take it if your tests show you need it — and ideally under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist.

In the Mountains, It’s Not Just About Strong Legs

Good acclimatization starts long before your boots hit the trail. If your iron levels are solid, your body will have a much easier time adapting to altitude. It’s not a magic fix - but it’s a real and often underestimated advantage.

Check your iron. It might just make your climb a whole lot easier. 😉