My skin’s a little dry, dull and pale. The rings under my eyes stay shadowy no matter how much sleep I get, and my hair could stand to be thicker.
This, TikTok assures me, is “ferritin face” – a series of visual signs that suggest my iron stores are low.
In my case, that’s been proven true through blood tests. These tests are the only reliable way to work out whether you’re iron deficient: you should see your GP if you suspect low iron.
So, does the social media trend have any merits?
Here’s what Dr Kathryn Basford from Asda Online Doctor had to say.
How common is low ferritin?
Low ferritin levels refer to depleted long-term supplies of iron. Dr Basford said it’s very common in the UK, especially among teens, kids, older people and women.
People who menstruate are at particular risk, because of the blood they lose during their periods or while pregnant.
“Women with heavy periods are likely to lose even more iron and may benefit from iron supplements, but most people can get enough iron from the foods they eat,” the GP explained.
“Iron deficiencies can be under-recognised causes of fatigue, especially in women, and larger studies, alongside increasing public interest in testing, have raised awareness of this.”
What are the signs of low ferritin?
Some symptoms of low iron, like paler-than-usual skin and (more rarely) ulcers in the corners of your mouth, really do form something of a “ferritin face”.
But Dr Basford said there are loads of other possible signs of low iron we should pay attention to, like:
tiredness
shortness of breath
heart palpitations
headaches
hair loss
nail changes
feeling itchy
tinnitus
Again, however, you’ll need to see a doctor to know if you’re anaemic.
“Speak to your GP if you think you have low iron levels, and they will ask you about your lifestyle and medical history. They will likely perform a blood test to diagnose low ferritin,” the doctor stated.
“If it is unclear what is causing low iron, a doctor may issue further tests to uncover the reason for your symptoms, like a faecal immunochemical test that looks for blood in a small sample of your poo.”