From dark under eye circles to thinning hair and pale skin , social media users are blaming low ferritin for unwelcome changes in their appearance. Videos and posts on TikTok suggesting low ferritin — a protein which stores iron in the body — can show visible signs of an iron deficiency even before a blood test are amassing hundreds of thousands of views. In one video posted by @marvluceskin it claims “ferritin face is a real thing” pointing to an image of herself with under eye bags.
In another post @jessicageidado claims she had a “glow up” after her low ferritin levels were “taken seriously”. But having dark circles and pale skin alone is not enough to diagnose someone with low iron, doctors warn. Having dark circles and pale skin alone is not enough to diagnose someone with low iron, a blood test is the only way to check ferritin levels (Getty/iStock) “Ferritin is a useful marker of the body’s iron stores, but there is no specific facial appearance that allows us to diagnose low ferritin,” Dr Asiya Maula, GP at The Health Suite said.
What is Ferritin? Ferritin is a protein which stores iron in the body, it’s a better indicator of the body’s iron stores because iron levels can fluctuate throughout the day. Guidelines from the British Society of Gastroenterology explains a blood test that shows ferritin levels below 15 micrograms per litre indicates absent iron stores, while below 30 generally indicates low iron stores.
Iron is vital for energy production, immune function and energy production. The nutrient is also important for haemoglobin — the protein that carries oxygen around the body. If iron levels fall too low it can cause anaemia, which means the blood can’t carry enough oxygen.
Pregnant women, those with heavy periods, people with inflammatory bowel disease and vegans are all more susceptible to having low iron levels. Can having low iron change your face? Although having low iron can make someone look paler, experts stress looking more tired isn’t just a sign of low ferritin.
Being dehydrated, stressed, not getting enough sleep and not eating the right nutrients can make people look tired and pale — but only a blood test can show if a person’s ferritin levels are low. Paleness, tiredness, hair shedding and brittle nails are all warning signs of an iron deficiency Dr Maula said: “Dark circles, dull skin and fine lines are not reliable indicators of low ferritin. They can be influenced by genetics, ageing, sleep, dehydration and a range of other factors.
“The risk with social media trends is that people may see themselves in a list of symptoms and assume they have a deficiency without checking whether that is actually the cause.” “If you have persistent fatigue, unexplained hair loss, breathlessness or other symptoms that concern you, speak to your GP rather than trying to diagnose yourself from your appearance,” she added. What are the symptoms of low iron? Paleness, tiredness, hair shedding and brittle nails are all warning signs of an iron deficiency, according to Dr Maula.
Here, she shares five warning signs: 1. Persistent tiredness Feeling exhausted despite getting enough sleep can be a symptom of iron deficiency. Iron is needed to support oxygen transport, and deficiency can affect energy levels. 2.
Breathlessness or dizziness Some people become unusually breathless during everyday activities, feel light-headed or experience headaches. These symptoms can have other causes and should be assessed if persistent. 3. Increased hair shedding Iron deficiency may contribute to hair loss in some people, although hair shedding is also associated with stress, hormonal changes, thyroid disorders and other nutritional deficiencies. 4.
Pale skin or changes around the mouth Paleness can occur when iron deficiency leads to anaemia. Some people may also develop cracks at the corners of the mouth or a sore tongue, but these signs are not diagnostic on their own. 5. Unusual cravings A condition known as pica can cause cravings for non-food substances such as ice, soil or paper.
Craving or chewing ice has been associated with iron deficiency and is worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
Source: The Independent
