Ferritin Deficiency in Women: Symptoms, Causes, and Solutions

Ferritin, the storage form of iron, is crucial for women's health, yet around a third of reproductive-age women are deficient. Integrative nutritionist Karishma Shah explains that ferritin acts as the body's reserve bank, indicating iron availability for future use. Low ferritin can cause persistent fatigue, dizziness, breathlessness, brain fog, hair fall, brittle nails, and skin changes, often misattributed to stress or hormones. Women are more vulnerable due to menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum depletion, lower dietary iron intake, and hormonal fluctuations. Optimal ferritin levels for energy and hair health range between 40 and 70 ng/ml, according to Shah. Addressing deficiency requires a holistic approach: dietary sources include heme iron from animal products and non-heme iron from lentils, chickpeas, spinach, and pumpkin seeds, paired with vitamin C for absorption. Supplementation or IV iron infusions may be needed under professional supervision. Factors like low stomach acid, gut inflammation, high calcium intake, tea/coffee consumption, and thyroid imbalances can impair absorption. Root causes such as heavy periods, gut dysfunction, chronic stress, or thyroid issues must be addressed to prevent recurrence.