DD1 levels got to 4 while she was a teenager and she still has problems. We found the best iron to take was in liquid form and it worked quickly and didn't muck up her bowels like some of the tablets can.
Her body doesn't take in iron from the foods she eats, weird child
I'm weird as well, my body doesn't store iron either.

salad - it's great that you now know what's happening and you can get it sorted.