Melissa,
Re the mom with Crohn's disease you say "I left out a few details...she has
been trying to manage the iron problem through diet for a long time and it
hasn't been working. This is not to say that she has exhausted all dietary
avenues..."
I think what Maureen meant in her response to you is that this mom needs to
examine her diet in light of possible allergens/irritants exacerbating the
Crohn's and causing occult blood loss.  The blood loss is what is leading to
the iron deficiency.  Replacing the iron is not enough - control and
amelioration of the disease is the goal.
Please comment more Maureen.
Regards,
Laurie Wheeler, Rnc, Mn, Ibclc