Media Coverage: Dr Asiya Maula Warns Against Self-Diagnosing Iron Deficiency Through Social Media
Dr Asiya Maula, GP at The Health Suite, has shared expert insight into the viral ‘ferritin face’ trend, highlighting why changes in skin appearance should not be used to diagnose iron deficiency.
The article, “Could dark circles and dull skin be signs of a hidden iron deficiency?”, explores how social media trends have brought greater attention to low iron levels while raising concerns about people making assumptions about their health based on appearance alone.
Understanding the 'Ferritin Face' Trend
The viral trend suggests that dark circles, pale or dull skin, cracked lips and hair loss could indicate low iron stores.
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, and low ferritin levels can indicate iron deficiency. While iron plays an important role in maintaining healthy bodily functions, changes in appearance can have many different causes.
Dr Maula warns that social media symptom lists can encourage people to jump to conclusions without proper medical assessment.
She explains:
“The risk with social media trends is that people may see themselves in a list of symptoms and assume they have a deficiency without checking whether that is actually the cause.”
Why Blood Tests Matter
Iron deficiency can cause symptoms such as persistent tiredness, breathlessness, headaches and heart palpitations. However, these symptoms are not exclusive to low iron and can be associated with other health conditions.
A blood test is needed to establish whether someone has an iron deficiency. Depending on their symptoms and medical history, a healthcare professional may recommend checking ferritin, a full blood count and other relevant markers.
The article also highlights potential causes of iron deficiency, including heavy periods, pregnancy, inadequate dietary intake, problems absorbing iron and gastrointestinal blood loss.
Identifying the underlying cause is just as important as confirming the deficiency.
Avoid Taking Iron Supplements Without Medical Advice
The article raises concerns about people taking iron supplements simply because they recognise symptoms mentioned in online videos.
Iron supplementation may be appropriate for someone with a confirmed deficiency, but unnecessary supplementation can carry risks and may delay investigation into the actual cause of symptoms.
Seeking professional advice before starting supplements helps ensure that the right tests and treatment are considered.
Raising Awareness Without Encouraging Self-Diagnosis
Dr Asiya Maula’s contribution reinforces an important message: social media trends can encourage conversations about health, but they should never replace proper medical assessment.
Anyone experiencing persistent tiredness, breathlessness, unusual paleness or other unexplained symptoms should speak to their GP rather than relying on photographs or viral videos to identify a possible deficiency.
The key takeaway is simple: understanding your iron levels starts with the right blood tests, not assumptions about your appearance.
Click here to read the complete article “Could dark circles and dull skin be signs of a hidden iron deficiency?” in Female First.