Ferritin
What Is Ferritin?
Ferritin is a protein that helps your body store and release iron. It is found mainly inside your body’s cells, particularly in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, where iron reserves are held and managed.
Iron is an essential mineral needed for many vital functions, including:
Producing haemoglobin in red blood cells
Transporting oxygen around the body
Supporting energy levels, immune function, and hair growth
Ferritin plays a key role in keeping iron levels balanced. When iron levels are high, ferritin safely stores excess iron in your cells. When iron levels are low, ferritin releases iron into the bloodstream so it can be used where needed.
Because of this, a ferritin blood test is commonly used to assess the body’s iron stores and is one of the most reliable indicators of iron status.
You can find general NHS information on iron deficiency and iron testing here:
NHS: Iron deficiency anaemia
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/
What Do Ferritin Levels Indicate?
Low Ferritin
Low ferritin levels usually indicate low iron stores and are commonly associated with iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the UK.
Low ferritin may be associated with symptoms such as:
Persistent fatigue or low energy
Weakness or shortness of breath
Pale skin
Hair thinning or increased hair shedding
Difficulty concentrating
For people concerned about hair loss, ferritin is often checked because adequate iron stores are important for normal hair growth cycles. While low ferritin does not always cause hair loss, it is frequently assessed as part of an investigation into unexplained hair thinning.
The NHS explains that iron deficiency is a common cause of anaemia and may require further investigation and treatment depending on the cause:
NHS: Iron deficiency anaemia – causes, diagnosis and treatment
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/
High Ferritin
High ferritin levels can occur for several reasons. In some cases, this may reflect iron overload, but ferritin can also rise due to:
Inflammation or infection
Because ferritin can increase for reasons unrelated to iron stores, results should always be interpreted alongside other blood tests and clinical context.
What Happens If Ferritin Levels Are Abnormal?
If your ferritin level is outside the normal reference range, a healthcare professional may recommend additional blood tests to understand the underlying cause.
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Low ferritin may lead to advice on iron intake, dietary changes, or iron supplementation, depending on individual circumstances.
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High ferritin usually requires further investigation to identify whether iron overload or another condition is responsible.
The NHS advises that treatment decisions should be guided by a healthcare professional and tailored to the individual:
NHS: Blood tests – what they show
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-tests/
Ferritin Testing and Hair Loss
Ferritin testing is commonly included when assessing people who are concerned about:
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Hair thinning
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Increased hair shedding
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Long-term fatigue
While ferritin testing does not diagnose hair loss, it can help identify whether low iron stores may be a contributing factor. Results should always be discussed with a GP or qualified healthcare professional, particularly before starting supplements or making dietary changes.
Key Takeaway
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Ferritin reflects how much iron your body has stored
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Low ferritin suggests depleted iron stores and may be linked to symptoms such as fatigue and hair thinning
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High ferritin can have multiple causes and requires careful interpretation
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Ferritin results should always be reviewed with a healthcare professional
Our ferritin blood test kit can help with an insight into your ferritin levels.