# Ferritin and Hair Loss: Causes, Symptoms, and Test Results Low ferritin is one of the most common reversible causes of diffuse hair shedding, because hair follicles need stored iron to stay in the active growth phase. A blood test measures those iron reserves directly, and levels below about 30 ng/mL are frequently linked to active shedding. Ferritin can drop before hemoglobin falls, so shedding can begin while standard blood counts still look normal. ## What Is Ferritin? Ferritin is the protein that stores iron inside cells and releases it as the body needs it. It supports red blood cell production, muscle function, and normal organ activity. Ferritin falls before hemoglobin does, so a person can have depleted iron stores and visible hair shedding while hemoglobin still reads normal. ## Why Do Ferritin Levels Matter for Hair Growth? Hair follicles need a steady iron supply to stay in the anagen, or active growth, phase. When ferritin falls, follicles can shift into the resting phase early, producing diffuse shedding rather than patterned baldness. Clinicians read ferritin alongside other iron markers to confirm the diagnosis rather than relying on one number alone. - Serum iron: iron currently circulating in the blood - Transferrin saturation: percentage of iron-carrying protein in use - Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC): blood's overall iron-binding capacity ## What Causes Low Ferritin? Low ferritin means iron stores are being used or lost faster than they are replaced. The most common triggers are blood loss and reduced iron intake or absorption. - Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding - Pregnancy and the postpartum period - Low dietary iron intake, including restrictive diets - Malabsorption from coeliac disease, IBD, or gastritis - Regular blood donation, surgery, or trauma - Tea or coffee consumed alongside iron-rich meals ## What Are the Symptoms of Low Ferritin? Symptoms depend on how far and how fast iron stores have fallen. Fatigue and hair shedding are the two most frequently reported. - Tiredness, reduced stamina, breathlessness on exertion - Headaches, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating - Hair shedding or brittle nails - Restless legs, especially at night - Pale skin or feeling cold easily These symptoms overlap with thyroid disease and B12 or folate deficiency, so ferritin should be checked alongside other markers rather than assumed from symptoms alone. ## How Is Ferritin Measured? Ferritin is measured with a standard blood test, reported in ng/mL or µg/L. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, age, and sex. Typical adult ranges run about 30-400 ng/mL for men and 13-150 ng/mL for women. Interpretation should factor in symptoms, pregnancy status, and inflammation markers, since ferritin can shift for reasons unrelated to iron stores. ## What Does High Ferritin Mean? Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant, so it rises with inflammation or illness even without excess iron in the body. Common causes include infection, liver disease, fatty liver, alcohol excess, metabolic syndrome, kidney disease, and certain cancers. Hereditary haemochromatosis becomes a likely cause when ferritin and transferrin saturation are both elevated together. ## How Can Ferritin Be Improved Safely? Raising ferritin means restoring iron stores while treating the cause of the deficiency, not just the number. Iron supplements should not be started without medical advice, since excess iron can be harmful. - Iron-rich foods: red meat, liver, poultry, fish, legumes, tofu, dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, fortified cereals - Vitamin C with meals to improve absorption: citrus, peppers, tomatoes - Tea or coffee between meals rather than with them - Intravenous iron in select cases, under medical supervision ## What Are Normal Ferritin Levels by Age and Sex? Normal ranges differ by age and sex, and exact cutoffs vary between labs. - Children (1-15 years): about 7-140 ng/mL - Adult men: about 30-300 ng/mL - Adult women: about 13-150 ng/mL ## Key Facts - Topic: Ferritin (stored iron) and its link to diffuse hair shedding - Adult reference range: about 30-300 ng/mL (men), 13-150 ng/mL (women) - Children's reference range: about 7-140 ng/mL - Common low-ferritin triggers: menstrual blood loss, pregnancy, low iron intake, malabsorption - Assessed at: Hair Center of Turkey, Istanbul, as part of full hair-loss workups ## Related Topics - Vitamin deficiency and hair shedding - Diffuse shedding vs. permanent pattern baldness - Coeliac disease and hair loss - Emotional stress and hair loss - Hair transplant candidacy and results ## FAQ ### What does ferritin level tell you? Ferritin reflects how much iron the body has in reserve. It helps identify iron deficiency before hemoglobin drops, and it can also signal iron overload when levels run high. ### How do you fix low ferritin? The underlying cause needs to be identified first, whether that is blood loss, low intake, or malabsorption. Low ferritin is usually corrected with dietary iron or supplements, while iron overload is managed medically, often with phlebotomy. ### What happens if ferritin stays low? Untreated low ferritin can progress to iron-deficiency anemia, causing fatigue, weakness, and breathlessness. Hair shedding often continues or worsens until iron stores are restored. ### What is a normal ferritin level by age? Adults typically range from about 30-300 ng/mL, while children range from about 7-140 ng/mL. Exact reference values vary by laboratory. ### What are the early signs of low ferritin? Early signs include fatigue, mild hair shedding, and reduced exercise tolerance before more obvious symptoms appear. Restless legs and brittle nails often develop as iron stores fall further. --- **Source / Clinic:** Hair Center of Turkey **Last updated:** 2026-08-24