Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body. It is found in all cells but is concentrated primarily in the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and muscles. Ferritin levels can indicate the amount of iron in your blood.

Low levels of ferritin can be associated with iron-deficiency anemia, which can lead to fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms. Discovering the root causes of low ferritin levels can help diagnose and treat underlying health conditions.

Causes of Low Ferritin

The most common cause of low ferritin levels is iron deficiency. Iron deficiency can occur due to inadequate intake of iron-rich foods, poor absorption of iron, or blood loss. Other factors that can contribute to low ferritin levels include:.

Dietary Factors

Dietary factors can contribute to low ferritin levels, especially if you are not eating enough iron-rich foods. Iron-rich foods include red meat, poultry, fish, tofu, spinach, lentils, and fortified cereals.

Eating foods that inhibit iron absorption, such as tea, coffee, and dairy products, can also contribute to low ferritin levels.

Medical Conditions

Medical conditions can lead to low ferritin levels. These include:.

Anemia

Anemia is a condition in which you do not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body’s tissues. Anemia can be caused by a deficiency in iron, vitamin B12, or folate. Iron-deficiency anemia can lead to low ferritin levels.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition that affects the digestive tract. People with IBD can have inflammation and ulcers in their intestines, which can cause blood loss and lead to iron deficiency and low ferritin levels.

Bleeding Disorders

Bleeding disorders can cause excessive bleeding, leading to iron-deficiency anemia and low ferritin levels. Hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and platelet function disorders are examples of bleeding disorders.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Low levels of thyroid hormones can reduce the absorption of iron, leading to low ferritin levels.

Renal Failure

Renal failure is a condition in which the kidneys cannot remove waste and excess water from the body. People with renal failure can have anemia due to decreased erythropoietin production, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.

Anemia can lead to low ferritin levels.

Infections

Infections can lead to inflammation in the body, which can cause iron to be trapped in the liver and not released into the bloodstream, leading to low ferritin levels.

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Heavy menstrual bleeding can cause iron-deficiency anemia and low ferritin levels, especially in women of childbearing age.

Summary

Low ferritin levels can be an indicator of underlying health conditions. Determining the root cause of low ferritin levels can help diagnose and treat underlying medical issues.

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of low ferritin, but other factors, such as dietary factors, medical conditions, infections, and bleeding disorders, can also contribute to low ferritin levels.