A trending topic on social media is “ferritin face,” with 11 million views on TikTok and a 5,000% increase in UK searches for the term. However, doctors say that iron deficiency cannot be diagnosed simply by looking at someone’s face.
According to Dr. Stephanie Roche, a GP at HCA Healthcare UK Primary Care, “there is no recognised medical diagnosis that allows us to determine somebody’s ferritin level simply by looking at their face.” Instead, a medical assessment and blood testing are necessary to determine iron stores.
What is Ferritin?
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, and measuring ferritin levels in a blood test gives an indication of iron stores. Dr. Roche explains that “low ferritin means those iron stores are becoming depleted, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have anaemia.”
Iron-deficiency anaemia develops when iron levels have fallen to the point where the body can no longer produce enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body efficiently. Low ferritin can be an earlier sign of iron deficiency, while anaemia occurs when the deficiency has progressed to the point that it affects red blood cell production.
Symptoms of Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency can cause a range of symptoms, including persistent tiredness, low energy levels, reduced exercise tolerance, feeling short of breath, dizziness, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Dr. Roche notes that some people can experience symptoms even when their haemoglobin levels remain within the normal range.
There are also lesser-known symptoms associated with low iron, such as restless legs syndrome, hair thinning or increased hair shedding, brittle nails, a sore tongue, cracks at the corners of the mouth, and unusual cravings for non-food items. Additionally, low ferritin is associated with unexplained infertility and pregnancy complications.
Dr. Roche advises that if you are experiencing symptoms that could be linked to iron deficiency, you should book an appointment with your GP rather than relying on information from social media. A GP will discuss your symptoms and potential underlying causes, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, dietary factors, pregnancy, or digestive conditions.
Blood tests will typically include a full blood count to check for anaemia, alongside ferritin levels to assess iron stores. The recommended ferritin level depends on individual health concerns, and a GP will guide you as to your recommended level. For example, a generally healthy woman may be recommended to have a ferritin level of 30ug/L or more, while someone experiencing hair loss may benefit from a higher level of 70-100ug/L.
