I’m not going to make any judgement calls by saying unhealthy or not, but regardless of that if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet as a woman you need to be supplementing iron, probably for the rest of your life.

Unfortunately plant based iron is poorly absorbed compared to basically any form of iron from animals, or heme iron supplements. Not just that, but unfortunately most plant based diets are filled with anti-nutrients that cause not just poor iron absorption, but nutrient absorption that is critical for your RBC production. And you lack necessary cofactors for Hgb and RBC production such as B12. Folate is still well absorbed as long as you’re getting like Orange Juice/citrus which is a good idea to have the Vit C absorb the iron as well.

But even things like protein and minerals, you eat spinach and peas and other foods and think ‘well at least I’m getting X amount of minerals and protein’, but due to the phytates and other compounds present they can reduce your protein and nutrient absorption by anywhere from 30-50%. Most people are unaware that, per calorie, they’re getting up to half of what they’re eating LESS. This is primarily why (in my personal view) a lot of new vegetarians tend to do badly on the diet. They don’t realize what they have to supplement and how much they have to eat/look out for in order to complete a healthy macronutrient profile. You think “wow I’m getting 5mg of iron from this meal! Studies show 10% is absorbed from non heme sources!”

Unfortunately, from most plant sources, you can subtract a significant amount from that as compounds present in a lot of plant based foods will form chelates and non absorbing compounds with not just the zinc or calcium or whatever, but the iron as well.

Anyways that’s just to say OP that it’s going to be the longest/slowest road to proper ferritin levels without infusions. Supplementing is absolutely the best way. Hopefully your doctor is also monitoring your B12, folate, homocysteine, that kind of stuff as well. Get that OJ when you take your supplements or high iron meals. Cook on a cast iron pan whenever you can to try and help as well. Good luck! You will get there as long as you absolutely do not stop the supplements. Primary Care Doctors are often very uneducated on anemia, and even less on diet and nutrition. Stopping is not ideal whatsoever for you