29/10/2025
Ferritin is not just a number.
It represents your iron stores, and if it’s low, it’s important not only to replenish iron — but to understand why it’s low in the first place.
Important: If you don’t find and address the root cause, your ferritin levels will drop again — once you stop taking supplements ❕
Possible causes of low ferritin:
🩸 Chronic blood loss — heavy periods, hemorrhoids, hidden gastrointestinal bleeding
🍎 Low iron intake — limited meat, fish, or legumes in the diet
🧬 Poor absorption — low stomach acid, gastritis, 'leaky gut', parasites, inflammation
🏃♀️ Increased demand — pregnancy, breastfeeding, intense exercise, stress
How to restore ferritin naturally:
— Start with checking your actual numbers.
Check ferritin, transferrin saturation, serum iron, hemoglobin, CRP, ESR & Homocysteine. If needed, investigate the gut, liver, and thyroid function.
— Balance your nutrition.
Include iron-rich foods (red meat, liver, legumes, leafy greens) and vitamin C to enhance absorption.
Avoid coffee and tea around meals or iron supplements.
— Choose gentle iron forms.
Ferrous sulfate is absolutely rubbish — ferrous bisglycinate is easier on digestion and absorption.
— Support gut health.
If stomach acid is low, work on digestion; if dysbiosis is present, restore the microbiome.
— Monitor your progress.
Retest after ~12 weeks. The goal: ferritin above 70 µg/L and stable energy levels.
Tired of low ferritin and constant fatigue? Save this post and follow for more insights on optimising your iron stores and vitality - naturally.
