TikTok is rife with influencers warning of “ferritin face”, a term they use to describe the pallor, dark circles, dry skin, and hair loss claimed to indicate low iron stores. But is this based on fact or fiction, and when is it time to head to the GP?

What is ferritin?

Iron is not made in the body, so typically we consume it in our diet. Ferritin is the protein responsible for storing iron in the body, particularly in the liver, and releasing it in a controlled manner.

By measuring ferritin levels, which can be checked via blood tests, it is possible to get an snapshot of the body’s iron reserves, although experts warn such levels are not always a reliable guide.

Blood ferritin levels of less than 30 micrograms/L indicate an iron deficiency, according to guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence .

However “a level below 50 might be a pointer of iron deficiency,” said Sue Pavord, professor of practice in medical haematology at Oxford University hospitals.

Can low ferritin…