"Ferritin Face" Is Trending: What to Know About Iron Deficiency and Why Doctors Say Don't Self-Diagnose

If your social feeds are full of people inspecting their faces in the mirror and calling it“ferritin face,”you’re not imagining things. The trend has users looking for dark under-eye circles, brittle hair, and pale skin as possible signs of low iron levels. But is it legit? Partly yes, partly no.

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, and low levels can indicate iron deficiency. Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar, a GP in London, says low iron can cause pale skin, tiredness, low energy, lip lesions, weight loss, and hair loss. So the symptoms people are pointing to are real concerns. However, he also notes that those same symptoms can come from a range of other conditions.“Ferritin face”is not a recognized medical diagnosis, and self-diagnosing from a trend can lead you in the wrong direction.

Some groups are at higher risk of iron deficiency, including women with heavy periods, pregnant women, people recovering from surgery, and those with chronic kidney or liver disease. If left untreated, anaemia can cause breathlessness and more serious complications. The takeaway: if you recognize yourself in any of this, book an appointment and ask about a blood test. Have you ever been surprised by a health trend online? Drop a comment below.