What Is Ferritin

This protein in your body could be connected to hair loss.

Losing your hair at any rate can be frightening, especially if you can’t seem to get to the bottom of it. While you might have heard about tight hairstyles, genetics and extreme stress being among the most common causes for hair loss, there are also many other underlying reasons you might not know about — such as having low ferritin levels.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, ferritin is a protein in your body that stores iron. Research has provided much evidence that having too much or too little iron levels may have a direct correlation to hair loss. Below, we break down more of what ferritin is and how it can affect your hair.

What Is Ferritin?

The Cleveland Clinic states that ferritin is a protein in your body that stores iron and releases it in a controlled fashion. Iron is an essential mineral that contributes to good health. It helps prevent anemia — a condition in which one lacks a normal amount of red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body's tissues — and increase resistance to infection. Having too little can lead to iron deficiency, says the Mayo Clinic, while having too much can indicate another problem.

How much iron one needs depends on their gender and age, states the Cleveland Clinic. For instance, if you’re a female in your 30s, the recommended daily dosage is 18 milligrams. But if you’re a male in your 30s, you only need 8 milligrams of iron every day. To find out the exact iron you need, it’s best to consult a physician on the proper amount.

Source: L'Oréal