Doctors reject social media claims about diagnosing iron deficiency from facial appearance

Doctors have warned that a popular social media trend gives people false information about iron deficiency. Videos on TikTok and Instagram claim that low iron levels show on your face through pale skin, dark circles under the eyes, dry lips, and hair loss. These videos have received millions of views.

However, medical professionals say this is wrong. Dr Aziza Sesay, a GP in the West Midlands, has said that "ferritin face" is not a real medical diagnosis. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body. Doctors point out that pale skin and hair loss can have many different causes. It is impossible to measure ferritin levels just by looking at someone's face. Doctors also warn that these visual signs are harder to see on darker skin, so some people could miss a real iron deficiency.