Fatigue and Hair Loss in Elderly Women: Is Low Ferritin to Blame?

For women over 60, ongoing tiredness and thinning hair are often considered normal signs of ageing. However, these symptoms may also be linked to low ferritin, which is the protein that stores iron in the body. When ferritin levels are low, it can lead to iron deficiency and affect energy levels, hair growth, and overall health.

This article explains the importance of ferritin, how low levels impact senior women, and why a simple Ferritin Test can help identify and address the problem early. If you or someone you care for is experiencing these symptoms, checking iron stores is an important step towards feeling better.

What is Ferritin and Why is it Important for Senior Women?

Ferritin is a protein found inside the body’s cells that stores iron and releases it when needed. You can think of it as the body’s iron reserve. While iron itself is essential for many functions, ferritin gives doctors a reliable way to measure how much iron is stored and available for use.

• Iron itself is essential for everyone, but its role becomes particularly important as we age. It's a key part of haemoglobin. Without enough iron, your body can't make enough healthy red blood cells, leading to a condition called anaemia. Beyond oxygen transport, iron is also crucial for:
• Energy Production: Iron helps convert the food you eat into the energy your body needs to function.
• Immune System Support: It plays a role in keeping your immune system strong, helping your body fight off infections.
• Cellular Health: Iron is involved in many cellular processes, including those that support healthy hair growth and overall vitality.

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What Causes Low Ferritin?

Common causes may include:

• Poor iron intake from diet
• Reduced absorption due to digestive issues
• Chronic blood loss 
• Certain medications that interfere with iron absorption

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The Link Between Low Ferritin, Fatigue, and Hair Loss

Even if iron deficiency hasn't progressed to full-blown iron deficiency anaemia (where haemoglobin levels also drop), low ferritin can still cause noticeable symptoms.

Here's how low ferritin can contribute to fatigue and hair loss in senior women:

• Fatigue: Iron is directly involved in energy production. When iron stores are low, your cells don't get enough oxygen, and your body struggles to produce energy efficiently. This can lead to persistent feelings of tiredness, weakness, and a general lack of stamina, even after a good night's sleep. This fatigue can be more profound than typical age-related tiredness.
• Hair Loss: Healthy hair growth depends on a steady supply of nutrients, including iron. When ferritin levels are low, the body directs iron to vital functions like carrying oxygen, leaving less available for hair growth. This can cause hair follicles to enter a resting phase prematurely, leading to increased hair shedding, thinning, or even noticeable bald spots. This type of hair loss, often diffuse (all over the scalp), can be a distressing symptom.

So, if you or an older woman you care about is dealing with ongoing tiredness and unexplained hair loss, checking iron levels with a ferritin test for senior women can be an important step to take. 

When to Consider a Ferritin Test for Senior Women

A doctor might suggest a ferritin test for senior women if there are signs that could point to iron deficiency or if other common causes for symptoms have been ruled out.

Here are common signs that suggest a ferritin test might be needed:

• Persistent Fatigue: If tiredness is severe, doesn't improve with rest, and impacts daily activities.
• Unexplained Hair Loss: If hair shedding is significant and not clearly linked to other causes like medication side effects or scalp conditions.
• Pale Skin: Noticeable paleness, especially on the inner eyelids or nails.
• Dizziness or Light-headedness: These can be signs of reduced oxygen delivery due to low iron.
• Shortness of Breath: Feeling breathless with minimal exertion.

Known Risk Factors: If there's a history of conditions that affect iron absorption (e.g., coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease), chronic bleeding (e.g., from the digestive tract), or if dietary intake of iron is low.

General Health Check-up: As part of a comprehensive health assessment, especially if there are vague, unexplained symptoms.

What to Expect from a Ferritin Test

A ferritin test for senior women is a simple blood test that helps measure how much iron your body has stored. For senior women, it’s often used to investigate symptoms like fatigue, weakness, or hair loss.

During the test, a healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm. The procedure is quick and usually causes only mild discomfort. In most cases, you don’t need to fast beforehand, but it’s always best to check with your doctor or lab for any specific instructions.

What the Results Mean:

• Once the laboratory has analysed the blood sample, your doctor will interpret the ferritin levels. Normal ranges can vary slightly between different laboratories, but here are general guidelines for ferritin levels (measured in nanograms per millilitre, ng/mL) for adult women:
• Normal Ferritin Levels (Adult Women): Typically range from 13 to 150 ng/mL. For optimal iron stores, especially to support hair health, levels might ideally be above 40-70 ng/mL, even within the broader normal range.
• Low Ferritin Levels: If ferritin levels are lower than the normal range, it indicates iron deficiency. For instance, a ferritin level below 15-30 ng/mL is often considered a clear sign of depleted iron stores. Even if your haemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells) is still within the normal range, low ferritin means your body's iron reserves are running low. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue and hair loss, and puts you at risk of iron deficiency anaemia.
• High Ferritin Levels: While less common, very high ferritin levels can also be a concern. They might suggest inflammation (as ferritin can increase during infections or inflammatory conditions), liver disease, or conditions like hemochromatosis (a disorder where the body absorbs too much iron). Your doctor will investigate high levels further if found.

It is crucial to discuss all results with your doctor. They will consider your symptoms, medical history, and other factors to make a complete assessment and recommend the appropriate next steps.

Health Tests for Senior Women with Apollo 24|7

Taking care of your health becomes even more important as you age, and Apollo 24|7 makes the process simple and convenient. If your doctor recommends a Ferritin Test to check your iron levels or a hair loss blood test for seniors, Apollo offers reliable diagnostic services designed with your needs in mind.

• Easy online booking for ferritin tests or full-body check-up packages
• Home sample collection for added comfort and convenience
• Quick and accurate results sent directly to your phone or email
• NABL-accredited labs ensure high-quality and trustworthy testing
• Follow-up consultations with Apollo doctors to explain results and guide next steps
• These services help senior women take control of their health with ease and confidence.

Conclusion

For many senior women, symptoms like constant tiredness and hair thinning are often dismissed as part of ageing. However, these changes can sometimes be linked to low ferritin levels, which indicate reduced iron stores in the body. A Ferritin Test is a simple blood test that can reveal whether iron deficiency might be contributing to how you're feeling.

Identifying low ferritin early can help prevent anaemia, restore your energy, and improve your overall wellbeing. If you’ve been feeling unusually tired or have noticed more hair loss than normal, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about checking your ferritin levels. Addressing this early can help boost your energy, improve how you feel, and support your overall well-being.