Columnist Angela de Jong is recovering from a 15-step fall down her stairs at 4:30 a.m. two weeks ago, an incident that exposed a severe iron deficiency caused by years of exceptionally heavy menstruation linked to the menopausal transition.
The 4:30 a.m. Staircase Fall
The Algemeen Dagblad opinion columnist was on her way to the toilet in the middle of the night when she lost her footing and tumbled down fifteen steps. Her husband found her unconscious at the bottom of the hallway and revived her by wiping her face with a wet cloth.
De Jong escaped major fractures, sustaining bruising, abrasions, and a torn, skinned ear that required medical glue and adhesive strips at the local out-of-hours GP post. She missed a scheduled appearance on RTL Boulevard last week because she was, in the words of reporter Aran Bade on the broadcast, “bont en blauw” (black and blue).
Severe Anemia and Ferritin Levels of 6
Medical follow-up revealed a hidden crisis behind the dizziness she had ignored for weeks. Blood tests showed her ferritin level had plunged to 6, drastically below the standard healthy reference range of 22 to 204.
De Jong attributes the deficiency to bleeding so intense she describes them as “complete tidal waves” accompanied by fist-sized blood clots that overwhelm tampons and heavy-duty pads. This month alone, she experienced two cycles.
Public Return and Treatment Realities
De Jong returned to television on Renze, showing no visible facial bruising to viewers. To combat the profound fatigue and dizziness that likely caused her fall, she is now taking prescribed iron supplements.
The treatment brings its own hurdles, however. According to her pharmacist, the pills carry side effects of constipation and potential tooth discoloration—prompting de Jong to remark publicly that if such physical tolls affected men, the medical issue would have been resolved long ago.
Common Questions About Angela de Jong’s Health Crisis
What caused Angela de Jong’s fall down the stairs?
De Jong believes she stood up too quickly while experiencing dizziness caused by undiagnosed severe anemia, leading her to lose her balance on the stairs.
How low was her iron level?
Her blood work revealed a ferritin level of 6, while the normal range spans from 22 to 204.
Why did she experience such a severe iron deficiency?
She points to extremely heavy menstrual bleeding associated with the menopausal transition, describing flows that regular feminine hygiene products cannot contain.
What injuries did she sustain from the 15-step fall?
She broke no bones but suffered bruising, scrapes, and a torn ear that required repair with medical glue and surgical tape.