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Ferritin Face… debunked

Ferritin face joins a growing dictionary of internet diagnoses. There has been cortisol face, inflammation face, hormonal acne, “puffy” face and gut face. Social media can make people more aware of health issues they might otherwise ignore. A person who learns that persistent fatigue or unusual hair loss can sometimes be associated with iron deficiency might reasonably decide to speak to their GP. But let’s all say this one together: Ferritin face is not a recognised medical condition, and you cannot reliably work out your iron status by looking at your face. The NHS lists paler skin as one possible symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia, but tiredness and changes in appearance can have many…

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 What Is “Ferritin Face”—And Do You Have It?

The now-viral term is believed to lay out telltale signs that you might have an iron deficiency. And because this essential nutrient, which our bodies need to produce red blood cells, grow hair, boost our mood, and support regular ovulation, is top of mind for everyone, we’re all looking for ways to spot symptoms early before it snowballs into a bigger problem. But before you start worrying and self-diagnosing, read this first.

Articles of Interest

Here's why everyone is suddenly talking about their ferritin levels

While Alaine Mills, a registered sports dietitian with MUSC Health’s Dietitian Services, said some of the social media posts about “ferritin face” seem like “fear mongering” and seem to be a retread of posts about cortisol face (referring to the flight-or-fight hormone). However, Mills also said that there is a “kernel of truth” in the posts, because unusual facial paleness can indeed be a sign of an iron deficiency.

What It Means to Have "Ferritin Face"

Everything you need to know about the epidemic of iron deficiency in women. The most common signs of iron deficiency are: fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, muscle cramping, pica (the compulsion to eat non-nutritional items such as ice, clay, chalk, or soap), difficulty concentrating, and depression. But this deficiency can also have more visible manifestations, such as hair loss and what the internet has dubbed “ferritin face” or “low-ferritin face.”

Woman with dark rings under her eyes. Marina Demeshko/Shutterstock.com ‘Ferritin face’ is trending – but can your skin really reveal low iron?

So there is a kernel of truth in “ferritin face” – severe iron deficiency, particularly when it causes anaemia, can make someone look pale. But that doesn’t mean low ferritin produces a distinctive facial appearance. Hormones, bad sleep, stress, dehydration or not eating enough key nutrients can all leave you looking pale and tired. A mirror can’t tell you whether your ferritin is low – only a blood test can do that. If a test does show low ferritin, a doctor might suggest iron supplements. But on social media, that message tends to get translated into “buy this supplement”, and the line between medical advice and marketing gets blurry fast. Some brands suggest that any skin complaint can be fixed with the right pill or powder, linking their products to beauty, femininity and body image to make the sale. Supplements have become a huge business on social media platforms, and there’s a real risk that all this messaging pushes people towards taking more than they need.