What 'ferritin face' really means - the subtle facial signs you may be misreading

What 'ferritin face' really means - the subtle facial signs you may be misreading One in three women in the UK are deficient in iron but can you really spot if you are lacking iron simply by looking in the mirror? A doctor explains Millions of women are deficient in iron - which can leave them suffering a range of health symptoms. Figures show almost one in three women (31%) are short of the essential element that is vital for making red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body. Symptoms of a lack of iron include extreme tiredness, being short on breath and with headaches or feeling dizzy. But it can also leave people with a pale complexion or noticeable paleness in the inner lower eyelids, gums, or nail beds, sparking a viral trend dubbed "ferritin face" which claims you can tell if you are deficient just by looking at your face. However, experts are now urging people to take care, warning there could be much more behind pale skin than just iron deficiency and not to make a mistaken diagnosis. Dr Saima Khan, writing on Doctap.co.uk warns that "Ferritin face" - where tired-looking face or dark circles can indicate low iron stores - is a social-media trend, not a recognised medical term or diagnosis. She advises: "These changes have several possible causes and cannot confirm iron deficiency. Iron is a mineral the body needs, and ferritin is a protein that stores it. "Low ferritin can indicate that those stores are running low, sometimes before anaemia develops. Persistent tiredness or changes in your health deserve assessment, but they should not automatically be attributed to low iron." Iron deficiency anaemia symptoms According to the NHS, iron deficiency anaemia can lead to paler than usual skin with tiredness, breathlessness, noticeable heartbeats and headaches. The doctor adds: "Pale skin can therefore be a reason to consider anaemia, particularly when it accompanies these symptoms, but it is not enough to make a diagnosis. "Dark circles are less specific. Natural pigmentation, inherited facial features, thin skin, dermatitis and poor sleep can all affect the under-eye area. They do not establish that iron stores are low. "There is no validated facial pattern that diagnoses low ferritin and no established ferritin target for improving facial appearance. The medical assessment focuses on symptoms, possible causes and blood-test results, rather than the social-media label." How are iron, ferritin and anaemia linked Dr Khan explains that iron helps the body make haemoglobin, the protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. She says: "Ferritin stores spare iron so it can be used when needed. A ferritin blood test gives an indication of how much iron is held in reserve. "If the body is losing more iron than it takes in, it starts using those reserves. Ferritin can fall while haemoglobin remains normal. This is called iron deficiency without anaemia: iron stores are low, but the blood's haemoglobin level has not yet fallen below the normal range." However, if there continues to be a shortage, there may not be enough iron to make sufficient haemoglobin which can then result in iron deficiency anaemia. This means the blood is less able to carry oxygen, which can then lead to tiredness and breathlessness. Does ferritin face exist? Dr Khan says while low iron stores can contribute to symptoms before anaemia there are many causes for fatigue. She adds: "A GP considers the result alongside your symptoms and history before recommending treatment. There is no reliable evidence that "ferritin face" is a distinct condition or that iron treatment reliably changes facial appearance." Can you diagnose low ferritin by looking at someone's face? Dermatologist Dr Geetika Srivastava agrees that while "ferritin face" might be trending it can't really diagnose low ferritin by looking at someone’s face. She explains: "Ferritin reflects your body’s iron stores, and iron deficiency can sometimes cause paler-looking skin, dryness or other skin changes." She advises the only way to know is through "appropriate blood tests and clinical context". She adds: "So remember: your face is not a ferritin test." So when should I get a test? According to NHS Inform, most people get all the iron they need from their diet. However, there are times supplements are needed. The only way to tell is through a test. Ensure our latest health news always appears at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings It advises: "Many people with iron deficiency anaemia only have a few symptoms. The severity of the symptoms largely depends on how quickly anaemia develops. You may notice symptoms immediately, or they may develop gradually if your anaemia is caused by a long-term problem, such as a stomach ulcer." The most common symptoms include: - tiredness and lack of energy (lethargy) - shortness of breath - noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations) - a pale complexion Less common symptoms include: - headache - hearing sounds that come from inside the body, rather than from an outside source (tinnitus) - an altered sense of taste - feeling itchy - a sore or abnormally smooth tongue - hair loss - a desire to eat non-food items, such as ice, paper or clay (pica) - difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) - painful open sores (ulcers) on the corners of your mouth - spoon-shaped nails It adds: "See your GP if you experience symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia. They should be able to diagnose the condition using a simple blood test."