Newbie here but...
I have low iron etc. right now. I have pseudomonas colonies. My regular DR wants me to take iron pills but I have been told by a rheumatologist that there is something called anemia of chronic disease whereby iron is "hidden" in your blood from invaders (like pseudomonas, certain cancers etc) so that they don't feed on it and it can be dangerous to take iron in that situation. There are apparently additional blood tests that can attempt to sort out whether it is a true iron deficiency anemia or this other iron hiding out situation. (Don't know which tests). I am checking now with my infectious disease doctor for advice on the problem. If you have normal ferritin (blood work) you may not have iron deficiency anemia but that requires medical judgment. If I learn more I will post.