Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside your cells. When ferritin is low, it signals that your body’s iron reserves are running low — often before your hemoglobin drops enough to cause anemia. This early warning is important because fatigue, weakness, and hair loss can start even with mild deficiency.
Tip: Ferritin levels can also drop temporarily after illness or inflammation, but persistently low ferritin almost always points to true iron depletion.
Common causes of low ferritin
- Insufficient dietary iron (low meat or plant-based diet)
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Pregnancy (increased iron needs)
- Gastrointestinal blood loss (ulcers, polyps)
- Poor absorption (celiac disease, gastric surgery)
- Frequent blood donation or chronic illness
Typical symptoms of low ferritin
- Fatigue, weakness, or dizziness
- Pale skin or dark circles under eyes
- Brittle nails or hair loss
- Cold hands and feet
- Restless legs or shortness of breath with exertion
How to interpret ferritin with other markers
- Low ferritin + low iron + high TIBC → classic iron deficiency pattern
- Low ferritin + normal iron → early or functional deficiency
- Ferritin normal/high + low iron → anemia of chronic inflammation (ferritin falsely elevated)
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