Ferritin
Your iron bank account. Ferritin stores iron for future use and reflects your body's iron reserves. Low ferritin is extremely common, causing fatigue and hair loss. High ferritin may indicate inflammation or dangerous iron overload. The optimal range is narrower than lab reference ranges suggest.
Low Ferritin
Symptoms
Fatigue, weakness. Hair loss. Restless legs. Brain fog. Cold hands/feet. Shortness of breath.
Common Causes
Heavy periods. Poor absorption. Vegetarian diet. Blood loss. Pregnancy. Intense exercise.
Thyroid Connection
Iron needed for T4→T3 conversion. Low ferritin = hypothyroid symptoms even with normal TSH.
Hair Loss
Ferritin <70 often linked. Hair needs iron for growth. Common missed cause.
Absorption Issues
Low stomach acid, H. pylori. Celiac, IBD. PPIs interfere. Fix gut first.
Lab Reference Ranges
"Normal" includes 12-150. But optimal is 50-150. Don't accept low-normal.
High Ferritin
Inflammation
Acute phase reactant. Rises with inflammation. Check CRP alongside. May mask deficiency.
Hemochromatosis
Genetic iron overload. Very high ferritin. Damages organs. Needs blood donation treatment.
Liver Disease
Fatty liver releases ferritin. Hepatitis. Alcohol abuse. Investigate liver function.
Metabolic Syndrome
Insulin resistance raises ferritin. Part of metabolic dysfunction. Address root cause.
Iron Supplementation
Excessive iron supplements. Fortified foods. Stop and monitor. Too much is toxic.
Oxidative Stress
Free iron is pro-oxidant. Damages tissues. Keep in optimal range, not maximum.
Optimizing Ferritin
For Low Ferritin
Iron bisglycinate gentle form. Vitamin C enhances absorption. Take away from coffee/tea.
Food Sources
Red meat, liver best absorbed. Shellfish. Cast iron cooking. Pair plant sources with vitamin C.
Fix Absorption
Address low stomach acid. Treat H. pylori. Heal gut. Take iron on empty stomach.
For High Ferritin
Blood donation if iron overload. Reduce red meat. Address inflammation. IP6 may help.
Testing
Check ferritin with iron panel. Include TIBC, saturation. CRP to rule out inflammation.
Avoid Blockers
Coffee/tea block absorption. Calcium competes. Phytates in grains. Separate by 2 hours.