Low ferritin

Written to our editorial standards · reviewed against published research· Updated 2 Jun 2026

Low ferritin means your iron stores are depleted, and it is one of the most common reversible causes of fatigue, hair shedding, and restless legs, often before a standard anaemia test turns abnormal.

Ferritin is your stored iron, and it falls first when iron runs low, so a low ferritin catches a problem early. Iron is needed to carry oxygen and make dopamine, which is why low stores show up as tiredness, hair loss, and restless legs. Many labs flag ferritin as normal well below the level at which symptoms appear.

Common causes

  • Heavy menstrual periods
  • A low-iron or mostly plant-based diet
  • Blood loss from the gut
  • Poor absorption (low stomach acid, coeliac disease)
  • Pregnancy or endurance training

Associated symptoms

  • Fatigue and low stamina
  • Hair shedding
  • Restless legs at night
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Breathlessness on exertion
  • Pale skin

Nutrients that can help

Iron Bisglycinate
See the guide →
Vitamin C
See the guide →
What to do

Take iron (a gentle form like bisglycinate) on an empty stomach with about 200 mg of vitamin C, away from coffee, tea, and calcium. Every-other-day dosing can absorb better. Recheck ferritin after 8 to 12 weeks, and importantly, find the cause of the loss.

When to see a doctor

Low ferritin should be reviewed by a doctor to find why iron is low, especially with no obvious cause, since gut blood loss needs excluding. Do not take high-dose iron long-term without testing.

Full marker
Ferritin: ranges, what it measures & both directions
Read the Ferritin guide →

Common questions

What does low ferritin (low iron stores) mean?
Low ferritin means your iron stores are depleted, and it is one of the most common reversible causes of fatigue, hair shedding, and restless legs, often before a standard anaemia test turns abnormal. Ferritin is your stored iron, and it falls first when iron runs low, so a low ferritin catches a problem early. Iron is needed to carry oxygen and make dopamine, which is why low stores show up as tiredness, hair loss, and restless legs. Many labs flag ferritin as normal well below the level at which symptoms appear.
What causes low ferritin?
Heavy menstrual periods; A low-iron or mostly plant-based diet; Blood loss from the gut; Poor absorption (low stomach acid, coeliac disease); Pregnancy or endurance training.
How do I raise my ferritin?
Take iron (a gentle form like bisglycinate) on an empty stomach with about 200 mg of vitamin C, away from coffee, tea, and calcium. Every-other-day dosing can absorb better. Recheck ferritin after 8 to 12 weeks, and importantly, find the cause of the loss.
When should I see a doctor?
Low ferritin should be reviewed by a doctor to find why iron is low, especially with no obvious cause, since gut blood loss needs excluding. Do not take high-dose iron long-term without testing.

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Educational use only, not medical advice or diagnosis. Reference ranges vary by lab, age, sex, and medication, and a single result is read in context. Always review your results with a qualified clinician.