When we think about our energy levels, hair health, or even immune function, we often overlook one key marker: ferritin. If you’ve ever been told you’re iron deficient, there’s a good chance ferritin was part of that conversation—but what exactly is it, and why does it matter?

Let’s break it down.

What is Ferritin?

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body. Think of it as your iron reserve tank. When your body needs iron for essential functions—like making red blood cells, supporting your thyroid, or keeping your muscles oxygenated—it pulls from your ferritin stores.

Your ferritin level is one of the most accurate indicators of your iron status, and it plays a critical role in how energized and healthy you feel.

Why is Ferritin Important?

Iron is vital for producing hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. Without enough ferritin, your body doesn’t have the reserves it needs to function optimally, even if your basic iron levels look “normal” on paper.

Healthy ferritin levels support:

• Energy production
• Hair growth and strength
• Thyroid function
• Brain health and focus
• Hormone balance
• Immune function

Signs Your Ferritin May Be Low

Low ferritin levels often go undiagnosed because symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other health issues. Common signs include:

• Chronic fatigue or weakness
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Feeling cold all the time
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Shortness of breath or heart palpitations
• Pale skin or dark circles under the eyes
• Restless legs, especially at night
• Increased susceptibility to illness
• Heavy or prolonged menstrual cycles (which can also cause low ferritin)

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s worth asking your healthcare provider to check your ferritin—not just your hemoglobin.

What Should Your Ferritin Level Be?

In functional medicine, optimal ferritin levels are generally higher than the “normal” reference ranges used by conventional labs. Instead of aiming for the minimum threshold to avoid deficiency, functional practitioners focus on the range that supports optimal energy, hormone balance, thyroid function, and immune health.

How to Support Healthy Ferritin Levels

1. Eat Iron-Rich Foods
   • Include both heme iron (from animal sources) and non-heme iron (from plants):
     • Red meat, organ meats, poultry, and seafood
     • Lentils, spinach, pumpkin seeds, tofu, and quinoa
2. Boost Iron Absorption
   • Take vitamin C with iron-rich meals to increase absorption
   • Avoid coffee, tea, or calcium supplements with iron-rich meals—they block absorption
3. Consider Supplementation
   • Oral iron supplements may be necessary, but should be guided by your provider to avoid GI issues or excess iron
   • For very low levels or absorption issues, iron infusions may be recommended
4. Address Underlying Causes
   • Treat heavy menstrual bleeding, gut inflammation (like IBS or Celiac), or other conditions that contribute to iron loss or poor absorption

How We Can Help

At Peak Health & Fitness, we go beyond surface-level labs to look at what’s really happening inside your body. If you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue, hair loss, or other symptoms, we can help assess your ferritin and iron status, identify root causes, and create a personalized plan to restore your health and energy.

book your appointment