Ferritin- The Dangerous and Overlooked Protein in Children
Ferritin is the body’s iron storage protein. It stores iron in the tissues until the body needs it, releasing it when iron levels in the blood drop. A long-term deficiency of ferritin eventually leads to iron deficiency. However, iron levels in the blood may appear normal in lab tests while the real problem lies in ferritin levels. In other words, the body may not be storing ferritin properly, which prevents the blood from having enough available iron. This can result from poor nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, hypothyroidism, and other causes.
Ferritin is a very complex protein and is considered one of the body’s natural storage systems. It is stored mainly in the liver and spleen. Its levels differ by gender, being higher in men than in women. Importantly, ferritin deficiency produces symptoms very similar to iron deficiency, such as:
- Severe fatigue and unexplained tiredness.
- Migragraines
- Loss of appetite.
What concerns us here is the relationship between ferritin deficiency and the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)—a condition that terrifies parents, particularly when it comes to children between the ages of 3 and 7. The age of 3 is especially critical, as autistic symptoms typically become more apparent at this stage. In cases of ferritin deficiency, certain symptoms may resemble ASD (though this does not mean ferritin deficiency causes autism). These include:
- Delays in developmental growth.
- Poor appetite, refusal of food, and pale complexion.
- Constant irritability and poor mood, often expressed in children through various behaviors.
- Lack of interest in social interaction.
- Poor attention span, weak concentration, and learning difficulties.
As we can see, these symptoms overlap significantly with those of ASD, particularly when a child also experiences delayed language development.
This is why discussing ferritin deficiency is important: to encourage parents to consult a physician if their child exhibits these symptoms before immediately seeking psychological
assessments for autism. Unfortunately, few specialists consider the developmental history of the case and the possibility of ferritin deficiency. Similarly, pediatricians often order iron tests without checking ferritin levels.
Finally, I would like to share a case I encountered in my rehabilitation center. A child showed almost all the symptoms of autism. However, after reviewing the medical history, it became clear that the child suffered from low ferritin despite having normal iron levels. After undergoing medical treatment to raise ferritin levels (it is always important to repeat lab tests after supplementation to confirm the body is benefiting from it), most autistic-like symptoms began to fade. The child’s ability to learn, remember, and concentrate improved, and language development became noticeably stronger.
I hope I have shed light on an important factor that may sometimes change the course of a misdiagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Psychologist
Basma Al-Hajal
