How to Increase Ferritin Levels: a Complete Guide

by Cara Hayes August 2, 2023

Our comprehensive guide will give you practical strategies for increasing low ferritin levels.

We will discuss the causes of low ferritin, including inadequate iron intake, poor absorption, blood loss, and underlying conditions. Then we will provide science-backed solutions for increasing ferritin through dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, supplements, and medical treatments if needed.

Finally we'll address why nano iron is the best possible supplement for addressing ferritin deficiency.

ferritin for anaemia

How to Increase Ferritin Levels

Let's start off by listing the specific methods available for increasing ferritin.

1. Prioritize heme iron sources: Consume red meat and organ meats such as beef and liver for their high bioavailability of iron.

2. Include iron-fortified foods: Opt for enriched cereals and bread, ensuring to check the iron content on food labels.

3. Pair non-heme iron with vitamin C: Combine plant-based iron sources like lentils and spinach with vitamin C-rich foods to enhance absorption.

4. Manage beverage intake: Avoid tea and coffee around meal times as they contain polyphenols and tannins which can bind to iron, making it more difficult for the body to absorb.

5. Reduce inhibitors during meals: Limit foods high in phytic acid and calcium at mealtime to prevent reduced iron absorption.

6. Regular exercise: Maintain a balanced exercise routine, avoiding excessive physical exertion. Exercise can help enhance blood flow and support overall digestion, which in turn may improve the body's ability to absorb and utilize nutrients, including iron.

7. Stress-reduction techniques: Utilize methods such as yoga or meditation to potentially improve nutrient absorption.

8. Ensure adequate sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours per night to support the body's natural repair processes.

9. Stay well-hydrated: Maintain good hydration to facilitate iron transport and cellular function.

10. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol: These can have detrimental effects on iron absorption.

11. Utilize cast iron cookware: This may help to increase the iron content of food.

For supplementation and medical interventions:

12. Iron supplements: Consider Nano Iron for higher absorption and fewer side effects.

13. Iron infusions or injections: These may be alternatives if oral supplements are not well-tolerated.

14. Investigate gastrointestinal issues: Address conditions with a healthcare provider that may impact absorption.

15. Address heavy menstrual bleeding: Seek medical solutions to prevent excessive iron loss.

16. Use iron chelators: These may be helpful under medical guidance to move iron into storage.

17. Monitor hepcidin levels: Adjust diet and lifestyle to manage this regulatory protein effectively.

How to Increase Ferritin Levels Quickly

Targeted supplementation with nano iron is the best way to increase ferritin levels quickly. Studies should that iron supplementation is more effective than dietary intervention at increasing hemoglobin levels and improving iron status. It should be noted, however, that that standard treatment of iron deficiency anemia in adults does not cause a rise in serum ferritin until hemoglobin levels are normal. (1)

What is a healthy ferritin level?

The optimal range for ferritin levels vary depending on age, gender, and individual health circumstances. However, generally speaking:

For adult males, ferritin levels typically range from 24 to 336 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
For adult females, the levels are generally between 11 and 307 ng/mL.

These ranges serve as general guidelines, but "healthy" levels can differ from person to person. A level that is at the lower end of the range, while technically within normal limits, may still lead to symptoms such as fatigue or hair loss for some individuals.

Some nutritionists feel that, for optimal well-being, targeting a ferritin level of approximately 80-110 ng/mL is a more narrow and focused approach.

This is especially pertinent for women who are dealing with specific conditions like hair loss or thyroid dysfunction, where a ferritin level of 100 ng/mL or above may be necessary for symptom alleviation.

What are Dangerously Low Ferritin Levels

Ferritin levels below 10 ng/mL are generally considered critically low and may require immediate intervention. Symptoms of extremely low levels can include chronic fatigue, weakness, and cognitive impairments.

Urgent medical attention is advised.

Potential Risks of Low Ferritin Levels

Low ferritin levels indicate that the body's iron storage is depleted, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia and a variety of other health issues.

Here are some of the potential risks and complications associated with low ferritin levels:

Iron-Deficiency Anemia: This is the most common health issue associated with low ferritin levels. When the body lacks enough iron, it cannot produce sufficient red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen effectively to the body's tissues. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and pale skin.
Poor Immune Function: Iron plays a crucial role in the immune system. Low ferritin levels, leading to iron deficiency, can impair the body's immune response, making individuals more susceptible to infections and diseases.
Impaired Cognitive Function: Studies have shown a correlation between low ferritin levels and cognitive issues such as trouble concentrating, memory problems, and difficulty learning new things. This is especially concerning in children and adolescents, where it can affect academic performance and growth.
Hair Loss and Skin Problems: Ferritin is essential for hair cell growth. Low levels can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to hair loss or thinning. It can also cause skin to become pale due to low hemoglobin levels.
Restless Legs Syndrome: Low levels of ferritin have been linked to Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a condition characterized by an uncomfortable sensation and an irresistible urge to move the legs.
Pregnancy Complications: For pregnant women, low ferritin levels can lead to complications such as premature birth or low birth weight for the baby. It may also cause postpartum depression in mothers.

Which Foods Increase Ferritin Levels?

Iron rich foods

Diet plays an instrumental role in maintaining and boosting ferritin levels.

Consuming a balanced diet rich in iron-containing foods can help improve your body's iron stores and raise ferritin levels.

Here are some dietary changes and food groups you should focus on:

Iron-Rich Foods: Incorporating more iron-rich foods into your diet is the most straightforward way to increase your ferritin levels. These include red meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish. Liver and other organ meats are particularly high in iron.
Plant-Based Sources of Iron: For vegetarians and vegans, plenty of plant-based foods are rich in iron. These include lentils, beans, tofu, baked potatoes, cashews, and spinach.
Combining Iron with Vitamin C: Vitamin C can help your body absorb non-heme iron (found in plant-based foods) more efficiently. Try pairing iron-rich foods with fruits and vegetables high in Vitamin C like oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli.
Legumes and Seeds: Chickpeas, kidney beans, and seeds like flaxseeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds are good plant-based iron sources.
Prunes and Raisins: These dried fruits are a good source of iron. They can be used as a snack or added to salads and baked goods for an iron boost.
Dark Chocolate: High-quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content contains a substantial amount of iron.

How to Increase Ferritin Levels with Food

Iron-rich foods can help increase ferritin. Meat, particularly red meat, is rich in heme iron which is readily absorbed.

Non-heme iron, found in plant foods like lentils and spinach, can also contribute but is less efficiently absorbed.

Consuming Vitamin C-rich foods alongside iron-rich foods can improve absorption.

Which Lifestyle Modifications Increase Ferritin Levels?

Just as important as diet, certain lifestyle modifications can also contribute to better ferritin regulation in the body.

Here are some lifestyle changes that can help increase and maintain healthy ferritin levels:

Balanced Diet: As discussed earlier, incorporate a balanced diet rich in iron and other essential nutrients. Make sure you're getting a good mix of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Limit Intake of Iron Blockers: Certain substances can interfere with iron absorption. These include tannins (found in tea and coffee), calcium (excessive intake), and phytates (found in certain grains and legumes). Moderation is key.
Regular Exercise: Regular physical activity can help boost your appetite, making you more likely to consume nutrient-dense foods. It also promotes better overall health, which can aid in iron absorption and utilization.
Adequate Hydration: Good hydration assists in maintaining optimal cellular function, which indirectly supports better ferritin regulation.
Regular Health Check-ups: Regular medical check-ups can help detect any nutritional deficiencies early on, allowing for prompt treatment.
Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol: Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with the absorption of nutrients, including iron. Consider reducing alcohol intake and seek help if you're struggling to quit smoking.
Stress Management: Long-term stress can impact your body's nutrient absorption capacity and overall health. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can help manage stress levels.
Adequate Rest and Sleep: During sleep, your body undergoes various repair and recovery processes. Ensuring you get enough quality sleep can help your body better manage its iron stores.

Is it Possible to Raise Ferritin without Raising Serum Iron?

Yes, it is possible to raise ferritin levels without significantly elevating serum iron. But it takes a very nuanced approach that requires targeted interventions in iron metabolism.

It is crucial to work with a healthcare provider and rely on empirical evidence, such as blood tests, to monitor progress.

Ferritin is the primary intracellular iron-storage protein, and it is essential for maintaining iron homeostasis. Increasing ferritin without affecting serum iron levels may necessitate a multi-pronged approach:

Nutrient Synergy: Consuming nutrients that aid in the proper storage of iron, such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), can facilitate the conversion of ferrous to ferric iron, aiding its storage as ferritin.
Pulsed Iron Therapy: Some clinicians employ intermittent iron supplementation, which aims to boost ferritin stores without excessively elevating circulating iron. This approach often involves giving oral or intravenous iron at specific intervals followed by periods without supplementation.
Inflammation Control: Elevated levels of inflammation, often signified by markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), can artificially inflate ferritin levels. Anti-inflammatory treatments might, therefore, be a necessary adjunct to other interventions aimed at genuinely increasing iron stores.
Pharmacological Agents: Medications such as iron chelators can sometimes be used to manipulate iron levels. While these are more commonly used to decrease iron stores in conditions like hemochromatosis, their use could potentially be tailored to support an increase in ferritin levels without elevating serum iron.
Hepcidin Modulation: Hepcidin is a key regulator of iron metabolism. Modulating hepcidin levels through pharmacological means could affect the distribution and storage of iron, thus influencing ferritin levels independently of serum iron.
Pathological Conditions: Addressing underlying health conditions like anemia of chronic disease (ACD) or liver disorders can also directly affect ferritin levels.

The Connection Between Exercise and Increased Ferritin Levels

Exercise plays a complex role in ferritin levels and iron metabolism.

On one hand, regular physical activity promotes overall health and can indirectly support the body's ability to absorb and utilize iron.

On the other hand, intense and prolonged physical activities may lead to an increase in iron loss, potentially impacting ferritin levels. Understanding this balance is crucial in managing your ferritin levels effectively.

Exercise and Improved Iron Metabolism: Regular moderate exercise can contribute to improved metabolic health, including iron metabolism. It helps stimulate a healthy appetite and improves the efficiency of the digestive system, both of which can result in increased consumption and absorption of iron-rich foods.
Exercise and Iron Loss: Iron can be lost through sweat, and intense or prolonged exercise can cause microscopic injuries to muscles that may lead to minor internal bleeding. Both of these phenomena can lead to an increased loss of iron, which may potentially lower ferritin levels in the body. This is more commonly seen in endurance athletes, such as marathon runners.
Exercise-Induced Anemia: In some cases, athletes, particularly endurance athletes, may experience a condition known as sports anemia or exercise-induced anemia. This condition, usually temporary, can occur when the body can't produce enough red blood cells to keep up with the increased demand caused by intense training.
Exercise and Iron Absorption: Some research suggests that exercise may stimulate the increase of a hormone called hepcidin, which could decrease iron absorption. This is more likely to occur after high-intensity workouts.
Balancing Exercise and Ferritin Levels: The key to maintaining healthy ferritin levels is balancing regular, moderate exercise with proper nutrition and recovery time. Athletes and those who exercise heavily may need to pay extra attention to their iron intake and might need supplements under medical guidance.

Medical Treatments for Increasing Ferritin Levels

In cases where ferritin levels are significantly low, dietary changes and lifestyle modifications may not be enough to restore them to a healthy range. In these instances, medical treatments can play a vital role.

Here are some common medical treatments that doctors may recommend:

Iron Supplements: Over-the-counter iron supplements can be an effective way to boost ferritin levels. These are typically taken orally and come in various forms such as tablets, capsules, or liquids. It's crucial to take these supplements as directed by your doctor since excessive iron intake can cause side effects and can even be harmful.
Intravenous Iron Therapy: In more severe cases, or when oral iron supplements are not effective or well-tolerated, doctors may recommend intravenous (IV) iron therapy. This procedure involves administering iron directly into the bloodstream through an IV line. It allows for larger doses of iron to be administered at one time and bypasses any issues related to the absorption of iron in the digestive system.
Blood Transfusion: In rare and extreme cases of iron-deficiency anemia caused by extremely low ferritin levels, a blood transfusion might be necessary. This procedure involves receiving healthy blood from a donor, which can quickly increase the body's iron and hemoglobin levels.
Treating Underlying Conditions: Sometimes, low ferritin levels may be the result of an underlying health condition, such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or heavy menstrual bleeding. In these cases, addressing the root cause is crucial to improving ferritin levels.

Is There a Supplement to Raise Ferritin Levels Effectively?

Supplementing iron can be an effective strategy for increasing ferritin levels, and nano iron can really help with this.

Unlike conventional iron supplements, nano iron offers a distinct benefit by being readily utilized by the body's cells. While traditional supplements often raise iron levels in the blood, this doesn't necessarily translate into immediate use by the body or an expected increase in energy. As such, the increase in ferritin levels seen with nano iron supplementation may not be as dramatic as that seen with conventional iron supplements.

This does not, however, indicate lesser efficiency. On the contrary, it suggests that the nano iron is being effectively used for immediate replenishment within the body's cells. It's a similar scenario to consuming highly bioavailable iron from organic sources like liver, where the iron is quickly absorbed into cells rather than merely increasing blood iron levels.

The utilization of nano iron reduces common side effects seen with conventional iron supplements, such as constipation. It's also important to note that although a moderate increase in ferritin levels is expected with nano iron supplementation, the absence of any increase might signify a different underlying issue and should prompt medical consultation.

If you have low ferritin levels, considering a course of nano iron could be a beneficial step. Its bioavailability and efficient utilization by the body's cells make it a strong contender in the fight against low ferritin levels. As always, any course of supplementation should be started under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

How long does it take to increase ferritin levels with supplements

Increasing ferritin levels with supplements usually takes a few weeks to several months.

Ferritin levels are an indicator of your body's iron stores. Hemoglobin levels, on the other hand, are more immediate indicators of the iron available for essential functions like oxygen transport. While ferritin levels might take longer to normalize, hemoglobin levels may show quicker improvement with supplementation.

Signs and Symptoms of Low Ferritin Levels

Low ferritin levels often go unnoticed until they lead to iron deficiency anemia, at which point a range of symptoms may start to appear.

Recognizing these signs and symptoms early can be essential for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Here are some common signs and symptoms associated with low ferritin levels:

Fatigue and Weakness: One of the most common symptoms, you may feel tired more than usual and lack the energy to perform everyday activities.
Shortness of Breath: This symptom might be noticeable, especially during physical activities such as climbing stairs or exercising.
Pale Skin: Insufficient iron may result in hemoglobin levels dropping, leading to less oxygen and a paler skin color.
Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat: When the body is low on iron, the heart has to work harder to move oxygen-rich blood around, causing an irregular or fast heartbeat.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Some people with low ferritin levels may experience RLS, an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, especially at night.
Brittle Nails and Hair Loss: Low ferritin levels can affect the growth and health of your nails and hair, causing them to become brittle, thin, or even fall out.
Frequent Infections: If you find yourself falling ill more often than usual, it could be a sign that low ferritin levels are impacting your immune system.
Poor Concentration and Foggy Mind: Low levels of iron can affect cognitive functions, leading to difficulties in concentrating and a general feeling of a "foggy" mind.
Cold Hands and Feet: Insufficient iron levels can lead to poor circulation, making your hands and feet feel unusually cold.
Unusual Cravings: Some people might experience pica, a craving to eat non-nutritive substances such as ice, dirt, or starch.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare provider.

Increasing Ferritin FAQs

What is ferritin and why is it important?

Ferritin is a type of protein that stores iron in your body, releasing it when your body needs it. Maintaining healthy ferritin levels is crucial as it contributes to the production of healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues in your body.

How do I know if my ferritin levels are low?

Symptoms of low ferritin levels may include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and hair loss. The most reliable way to know your ferritin levels is to get a blood test.

Can I increase ferritin levels through diet?

Yes, consuming a diet rich in iron can help increase ferritin levels. This includes foods like lean red meat, poultry, fish, beans, and leafy green vegetables.

Can exercise influence ferritin levels?

Yes, exercise can influence ferritin levels. While moderate exercise can promote overall health and iron metabolism, intense and prolonged exercises may increase iron loss, potentially lowering ferritin levels.

What is the role of iron supplements in increasing ferritin levels?

Iron supplements can be an effective way to boost ferritin levels, especially if it's difficult to get enough iron from food alone. They should be taken under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Are there risks associated with too much iron in the body?

Yes, too much iron can be harmful. Iron overload can lead to conditions like hemochromatosis, which can damage organs such as the liver and heart.

Should I see a doctor for low ferritin levels?

Yes, if you suspect that you have low ferritin levels, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare provider. They can conduct the necessary tests and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Sources

(1) Wheby MS. Effect of iron therapy on serum ferritin levels in iron-deficiency anemia. Blood. 1980 Jul;56(1):138-40. PMID: 7388178.