A 28-year-old nurse, Lynn Shazeen, found herself in the hospital on an IV drip after drinking matcha tea just once a week for six months. What started as a healthy habit to reduce inflammation ended in a frightening medical scare.
Unusual Symptoms Lead to a Shocking Discovery
Three months into her matcha routine, Lynn began experiencing fatigue, feeling unusually cold, and occasional heart palpitations. Over time, the symptoms worsened, prompting her to get blood tests — and the results were alarming. Her iron levels had nearly halved, dropping from 23 to 13.
Doctors confirmed that her low iron, a condition she was already at risk for, had been exacerbated by matcha. Lynn was immediately treated with a detox IV and prescribed iron and vitamin C supplements to restore her levels.
Matcha Isn’t the Culprit for Everyone — But It Can Interfere With Iron
Research shows that green tea, including matcha, contains compounds called catechins, which can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron from food. While matcha is celebrated for its anti-inflammatory properties, it can pose risks for people already prone to low iron or anemia.
Lynn’s Takeaway
“It was a bit worrying, but as a health professional, I stayed calm,” Lynn said. She has since stopped drinking matcha and sticks to regular tea, while taking supplements to rebuild her iron levels.
She added, “I had no idea something as simple as a weekly matcha could affect me this much. I hope sharing my story helps others be cautious, especially if they’re at risk for low iron.”
Have you ever experienced side effects from a health trend? Share your story in the comments!
