I felt like I was full of lead... In fact I was low on iron

DJ, PRESENTER AND MUM-OF-TWO ASHLEY JAMES DISCUSSES CHRONIC FATIGUE, FAMILY LIFE AND 'MUM SHAMING'. BY LISA SALMON

- BY LISA SALMON

AS the mother of two young children, presenter and DJ Ashley James thought feeling worn out was normal.

It was only when she eventually had blood tests that she realised her utter exhaustion wasn't simply from the strain of working and caring for her two-year-old daughter Ada and four-year-old son Alfie, it was actually coming from within she had low iron levels.

"I put the lethargic fatigue down to just busy mum life and trying to juggle everything that I do," says Ashley, 38. "I think for most parents, and especially mums, the struggle comes from trying to do the impossible every day.

"When you're feeling fatigued or lethargic, even when you have really good intentions, whether that's focusing on work or playing with the kids, it's hard. The only way I can describe it is feeling like you're full of lead - you want to go about your day, but it's like this complete exhaustion.

"So I carried out blood tests, found out I had lower iron, and it all made sense."

Ashley, who appeared on the E4 reality show Made in Chelsea and has since become a regular commentator on ITV's This Morning, explains that since she had her daughter two years ago, her periods have been heavier and that has contributed to her low iron levels.

And it's a common experience - research by Active Iron found that 79% of women feel exhausted or tired during heavier periods, 75% lack motivation to complete everyday tasks, and 71% say their ability to function normally is noticeably affected during their period.