First, we will understand about Ferritin.
What is Ferritin – Ferritin is a kind of protein that is responsible for Iron storage or in simpler word Iron stored in the body is equal to Ferritin levels.
Since Iron performs various important functions in human body including formation of RBC’s – Red Blood Cells, also required for muscle & heart cells for energy production.
As Ferritin involves in many crucial functions of body, thus its optimum level is vital to stay fit and healthy and body to perform its function normally.
Normal biological reference range of Blood Ferritin are as follows…
· Men: 30 – 400 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL)
· Women: 15 – 150 ng/mL
· Children (6 months to 15 years): 7 – 140 ng/mL
· Infants (1-5 months): 50 – 200 ng/mL
Although above mentioned biological reference (Normal) ranges may vary lab to lab based on chemical, test technology & equipment used.
Here we will cover 10 such health conditions or diseases directly or indirectly linked with lower-level ferritin.
Find below the diseases linked with Low Blood Ferritin levels.
1. Restless Leg Syndrome – RLS (Wilis Ekbom Disease)
2. Hair Fall
3. Fatigue
4. Fibromyalgia
5. ADHD
6. Celiac Disease
7. Hypothyroidism
8. Depression & Anxiety
9. Parkinson’s Disease
10. Anemia
Also Note that, if your blood ferritin level is low it doesn’t mean you have all these health conditions, your clinician / doctor will look for most probable cause taking into consideration of your other health parameters, ferritin blood levels are just one such consideration to arrive at accurate diagnosis.
Now we will go through some of the conditions arises due to Iron Deficiency / Low ferritin levels.
1. Restless Leg Syndrome – RLS (Willis Ekbom Disease)
Do you regularly move your legs or have been desirous to move legs continuously and got partially relief with such movement , such kind of legs movement Called Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) or Willis Ekbom Disease.
Such leg movement generally happens when in sleep and it interfere the sleep cycle at night
As per various studies , it suggests that Restless Leg Syndrome is more common in individuals which has lower levels of Iron, it is also linked with low Ferritin levels where severity of Rest Less Syndrome is more.
Researchers suggest that production of neurotransmitter and dopamine is reduced due deficiency of Iron.
To treat restless leg syndrome – RLS clinicians often use Iron supplementation and Dopamine agonist.
Various studies and clinical experience suggest that Iron supplement in RLS affected individuals, overall improved Quality of Life, Sleep, fatigue and depression and helps in optimum production of neurotransmitter and dopamine to arrest the symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome – RLS
2. Hair Fall
Clinical study named – “Iron Plays a Certain Role in Patterned Hair Loss” revealed that
when comparing healthy or normal ferritin subject with low ferritin or iron deficient it clearly suggest that low ferritin correlates with hair loss pattern.
Another Clinical study named as “Iron status in diffuse telogen hair loss among women” this study concluded .. The important role of serum ferritin in hair loss is becoming more evident. In women without systemic inflammation or other underlying disorders, serum ferritin levels below or equal to 30 ng/mL are strongly associated with telogen hair loss.
3. Fatigue
Fatigue is our body’s way of letting us be aware of that we need to relaxation and recover. It occurs after intense exercise or sleep loss. Normally, we can beat fatigue via sound asleep more, letting our our bodies recover after exercise, ingesting healthier, and reducing stress. But what happens when you’re nevertheless tired all the time even after a full night’s sleep and slicing the sugar out of your diet? This is when fatigue turns into chronic. With continual fatigue, you don’t simply experience physically worn-out and weak. You also lack the motivation to accomplish day by day tasks, can’t concentrate, and may even sense slightly depressed.
Because blood iron fluctuates every day and will increase after you eat iron-rich foods, ask your health practitioner about a ferritin test instead. Ferritin is a protein that stores and transports iron and is a tons greater accurate indicator of how tons iron is in the body. Low ferritin stages strongly propose iron deficiency as there are solely a few other prerequisites that limit ferritin [8, 9, 10]. Talk with your health practitioner to find out more.
4. Anemia
Lower levels of ferritin suggest low iron stores & plays crucial role in diagnosing Iron deficiency Anemia.
Various studies suggest that correction of Iron deficiency anemia improves the outcome in following conditions like.. Fatigue, Headache, Dizziness, Shortness of breath, Elevated heart rate (tachycardia), Irregular or absent menstrual periods in women, Impotency, Loss of libido (sexual desire).
Because Iron is part of many enzymes and RBC that carries blood to all body cells and correction in Iron deficiency improves symptoms and diseases linked.
5. Depression & Anxiety
In a observational comparative study it confirms that lower ferritin levels have almost 2 times more prone to get depressed compare to normal ferritin individuals.
About the Author, Complier
Sk Sharad Mishra
Bsc, B. Pharmacy, Advance Diploma in Nutrition, Diploma in Sports Nutrition, Certificate course in Competitive Edge in Management by ICMS, Sydney.
More than 18 years of experience in Medical Lab Diagnostic, Lab Diagnostic Expert, Lab Franchise Consultant, Clinical Pharmacist, Author of “Diagnostic Predicament”, Chief Educator at Labaxy Diagnocademy. Believe in Simplicity & on a Mission to Improve Lives.
Disclaimer :
Our team have produced this piece of public information in form of this article is based on various research and we have tried to interpret all these studies best in public interest and tried to provide the link of these research. We followed strictest norms to avoid any science based error even if you find that it has some error , please do report to us at admin@ranbaxylabs.com
