Your ferritin may be low while your hemoglobin remains normal because you likely have iron deficiency without anemia.
Understanding the Difference
It's important to understand the roles of ferritin and hemoglobin in your body:
- Ferritin: This is a protein that stores iron. Low ferritin levels indicate your iron stores are depleted.
- Hemoglobin: This is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Iron Deficiency vs. Anemia
Here’s how low ferritin relates to anemia:
| Condition | Ferritin Level | Hemoglobin Level |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Deficiency Without Anemia | Low | Normal |
| Iron Deficiency Anemia | Low | Low |
As the reference states, "If your ferritin is low, but your hemoglobin is normal, you may have iron deficiency without anemia." In other words, your body's iron stores are low but still enough to produce adequate hemoglobin, at least for now.
What does this mean?
- Early Stage of Iron Depletion: Low ferritin is often an early indicator of iron depletion.
- Potential Risk: If left untreated, iron deficiency can progress to iron deficiency anemia, where your hemoglobin levels also fall below normal.
- Symptoms May Exist: Even without anemia, iron deficiency can still cause fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms.
What you should do
- Consult a Doctor: It’s crucial to have your iron levels and overall health assessed by a doctor.
- Diet Review: Discuss your diet with your doctor or a nutritionist to see if you are getting enough iron from food. Good sources of iron include:
- Red meat
- Poultry
- Seafood
- Beans and lentils
- Spinach
- Consider Iron Supplements: Based on your diagnosis, a doctor might recommend iron supplements to help replenish your iron stores.
Key takeaway
Low ferritin with normal hemoglobin means you have depleted iron stores, but it hasn't impacted your red blood cell count yet. Prompt action will help prevent anemia from developing.
