you can take iron tablets but for *me* they would've taken too long to take affect. I've always had iron problems, however, they were made worse by my two pregnancies, I took Spatone (liquid iron supplement) during both pregnancies because my levels were low. my haematologist specialist thinks after DD2 my levels never really recovered and with breastfeeding and heavy periods they just got beyond supplement help.

I'm not sure about it being hereditary as my Mum passed away when I was 12 so was never able to find out, however, my Aunty on my dad's side suffered with severe anaemia so it could be "in the family" ?

eta: best thing is to get a referral to a Haematologist. They can run multiple tests and procedures (eg Endoscopy etc) to see if there are other issues causing the iron deficiency.