An NHS GP has urged people who notice facial signs linked to low iron to contact their doctor rather than self-prescribe supplements, after a social media trend highlighted the issue.
Dr Punam Krishan, who has appeared on BBC Morning Live and was a Strictly Come Dancing contestant, addressed the online phenomenon known as “ferritin face”. She cautioned viewers against buying iron tablets without first checking their iron levels.
What is ‘ferritin face’?
Speaking on the topic, Dr Krishan explained that social media advice has prompted many women to share pictures of themselves looking pale, with dark circles under their eyes and thinning hair, attributing these to low iron. She noted that in her surgery, women frequently report tiredness but often dismiss it as a result of being busy, parenting, lack of sleep or hormones.
She said: “Let’s talk about a term that’s doing the rounds on social media at the minute. Because if you’ve seen ferritin face and it has resonated, I want you to hear me out before you go off and buy iron tablets for yourself.”
Dr Krishan warned that while the symptoms should not be ruled out, people should not rush to take supplements either. She added: “When you’ve got so much going on, it’s easy to assume that tiredness is just part of life. So, if you see a picture that looks like you or feels like you, it’s easy to just go, I’ll go grab some supplements and carry on regardless.”
Understanding low iron and anaemia
Dr Krishan explained that low iron can cause paleness and hair shedding. She described ferritin as a protein that stores iron in the body, indicating how much iron is held in reserve. The body uses iron to make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells. When levels are too low, it leads to anaemia, which can cause tiredness, weakness and breathlessness.
She noted that iron reserves can run low before haemoglobin drops, meaning symptoms can appear even when a person is not diagnosed as anaemic. She said: “The bit that a lot of people don’t often realise is that your iron reserves can actually run low before your haemoglobin drops. So, you can have symptoms at that stage as well. So, if you’re being told, well, you’re not anaemic, that doesn’t always mean that your iron is fine.”
When to contact a GP
Dr Krishan advised that other conditions can also cause similar symptoms, including low B12, low folate, or an underactive thyroid, which can lead to tiredness, hair thinning, and dry, pale skin. She stressed that “ferritin face” is not a medical diagnosis, and appearance alone does not provide answers.
She said: “Please go and talk to your GP and we can work out which blood test might help. And if your iron is actually low, uh it’s also important to understand why your iron is low because heavy periods, diet, trouble absorbing iron or bleeding elsewhere can also play a part. And we need to address the cause, not just replace the iron.”
She concluded: “And that’s why I’m sharing this because taking high doses of iron without knowing your numbers isn’t advisable. And importantly, it can delay us finding the real cause.”
