What does low ferritin mean, and how should it be supplemented?

There are various causes of low ferritin levels, such as dietary habits, bleeding, and iron deficiency anemia. These can be improved through dietary adjustments, iron supplementation, and appropriate medical treatment.

1. Dietary habits: Prolonged poor eating habits and insufficient intake of iron-rich foods may easily lead to low ferritin levels. Adjusting one's diet by consuming more iron-rich foods such as spinach, black fungus (wood ear), and lean meat can help improve the condition.

2. Bleeding: This mainly refers to chronic blood loss. Conditions such as hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, colon polyps, colorectal cancer, or excessive menstrual bleeding in women can result in prolonged chronic bleeding, which may reduce ferritin levels. A thorough medical evaluation at a hospital is necessary to identify the underlying cause, followed by targeted treatment. For example, hemorrhoids can be treated with hemorrhoid ointments or surgery. Once the primary disease is resolved, low ferritin levels will gradually improve.

3. Iron deficiency anemia: Low ferritin is a key feature of iron deficiency anemia. Under a doctor’s guidance, patients can take iron supplements such as ferrous lactate oral solution, ferrous sulfate tablets, ferrous fumarate tablets, and vitamin C to enhance iron absorption.

In addition, chronic diarrhea or long-term use of medications such as aspirin may also cause bleeding, leading to decreased ferritin levels.