Labs & explainers · Updated 2026-10-30 · Editorial review in progress

Ferritin level for hair loss: the numbers studies use

Also searched as: ferritiniron deficiencyferritin level for hair loss

One study of 155 women with hair loss defined iron deficiency as ferritin below 60 ng/mL and cited 40–60 ng/mL as the adequate level for hair growth — much higher than the level linked to anaemia — but thresholds differ, so ask your doctor about testing.

No consistent week-by-week window is published for this, so it is not on the calculator.

Why hair studies use a different number

Benchmark	Ferritin
Iron deficiency (that study's definition)	Below 60 ng/mL [PubMed]
Level cited as adequate for hair growth	40–60 ng/mL [PubMed]
Ferritin matching female anaemia (Hb 12.0) in that cohort	5.1 ng/mL [PubMed]

In other words, a result can be 'not anaemic' and still be below the range hair researchers discuss. These are research thresholds, not a diagnosis.

Questions to take to your doctor

Would a ferritin test (with a full blood count) make sense for my shedding?
How do you interpret my ferritin if I also have inflammation or infection?
If it's low, what's causing it, and how will we recheck?

DermNet advises correcting iron deficiency when it is found in telogen effluvium [DermNet]. We do not give iron dosing — too much iron can be harmful, so supplements should be guided by a clinician.

Normal vs. warning signs

Commonly normal

Shedding that matches a trigger on the Shed Clock

Warning signs — get checked

Heavy periods, breathlessness, or very low energy
Shedding with no obvious trigger lasting more than 6 months
Patches or smooth bald spots

Find a trichologist →

What may help

Ask your doctor about testing rather than self-supplementing.
Bring your shedding timeline and any triggers.
Recheck as your clinician advises.

Related triggers

Labs & explainers

Telogen club hair

Frequently asked questions

What ferritin level is linked to hair loss?

One 155-woman study defined iron deficiency as below 60 ng/mL and cited 40–60 ng/mL as adequate for hair growth. Thresholds vary.

Can low ferritin cause hair loss without anaemia?

In that study, the ferritin level matching female anaemia was 5.1 ng/mL — far below the 40–60 range discussed for hair.

Should I take iron for hair loss?

Ask your doctor about testing first; supplementation should be clinician-guided.

Sources

PubMed Central (PMC10683524). Diagnosis and treatment of female alopecia: focusing on iron deficiency-related alopecia (n=155)
DermNet (Chang F-L, Oakley A, 2019). Telogen effluvium