Myths vs facts: Ferritin Eisenmangel and Wechseljahre

Myth: Ferritin always drops during menopause because menstruation stops and iron loss ends. – Fact: After menopause, ferritin often increases due to cessation of menstrual blood loss. Low ferritin in menopause is not typical and may indicate other issues like gastrointestinal bleeding, malabsorption, or inflammation. Myth: Ferritin is a direct and reliable measure of iron deficiency. – Fact: Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant; levels can be falsely elevated during inflammation. For accurate assessment, combine ferritin with transferrin saturation, soluble transferrin receptor, and CRP. Myth: Iron deficiency in menopause is harmless. – Fact: Iron deficiency can worsen fatigue, brain fog, and restless legs syndrome, which are already common in menopause. Proper diagnosis and treatment improve quality of life. Evidence is based on well-established physiology and clinical guidelines. Caveat: Do not rely on ferritin alone; interpret in clinical context.