Ferritin is a protein that contains iron and is produced by the body. Ferritin is found in the liver, muscles, and bone marrow and a small amount is found in the blood.
It helps to keep iron in stock in your body, so that it is available when it’s needed, for example, for the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is like a special protein in your red blood cells that helps carry oxygen around your body.
The amount of ferritin level in your blood tells us how much iron is stored in your body. If your ferritin levels are very low, then it means you have too little iron in your body. If your ferritin level is too high, you may have too much iron. In both cases, you can suffer from this.
In this article, you can read about the causes, symptoms, and consequences of too high or too low ferritin levels. And you will also read how you can keep your ferritin at the right level.
Causes of low ferritin levels
How high or low the level of your ferritin is partly determined by your genetics. In addition, there are many reasons why your ferritin value is lower than normal. Let’s understand when your when your ferritin level is too low.
- When you suffer from heavy bleeding, for example during your period.
- When you participate in endurance sports, such as running or cycling.
- When you are not eating enough foods that are rich in iron.
- There is another medical cause, for example, a medication that inhibits the absorption of iron.
Symptoms of Low Ferritin in Your Blood
The symptoms of low ferritin are very similar to the symptoms of an iron deficiency. That is not surprising, because a ferritin deficiency can be associated with an iron deficiency. Ferritin is a protein that helps your body store iron in your blood. If the ferritin levels in your blood are too low, the risk of an iron deficiency is also greater. Some symptoms are given below.
- Feeling very tired and weak.
- Difficulty or discomfort in breathing.
- Your skin looks lighter than usual.
- Frequent or severe headaches.
- Feeling unsteady or like you might pass out.
- Your hands and feet are often cold.
- Your nails break easily.
- Losing more hair than normal.
- Restless Legs
- Finding it hard to focus on tasks.
Consequences of Too Low Ferritin Level
Donating blood reduces your ferritin and hemoglobin levels. If you already have a low ferritin level, then it’s better not to donate until the level is back up. Otherwise, anemia may develop over time.
Anemia means when there aren’t enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body, which can make you feel tired and weak.
Consequences of Too High Ferritin Level
A high level of ferritin is also not good for your body. It can cause health issues like:
- Organ damage
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- In severe cases, it also causes heart problems.
What Are Healthy Ferritin Levels?
The ferritin level of a healthy adult man is between 25 and 250 micrograms per liter. In an adult woman, it is lower at 20 to 100 micrograms per liter. This is partly due to menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and hormones.
Tips for Maintaining Ferritin Levels
Your ferritin level is largely genetically determined, so you don’t have much influence on it. However, an adjustment in your diet can sometimes help maintain levels. Certain foods contain a lot of iron such as meat, fish, potatoes, vegetables, beans, legumes, and grains.Â
Iron is better absorbed when you drink acidic drinks with food, such as orange juice and vitamin C, which is found in many fruits and vegetables, also promotes the absorption of iron. It’s better to skip a cup of coffee and tea. Coffee, tea, and milk make it more difficult to absorb iron.
