Low Ferritin & Hair Loss After 40 - The Overlooked Cause

Hair Thinning?  More Than Cosmetic

If you’re over 40 and noticing:

• Hair thinning

• Nails flattening or developing ridges

• Persistent fatigue

• Slower recovery from workouts

You may be told it’s “just aging.” Don’t buy into that.  In many cases, it’s a correctable nutrient deficiency. In my case, low ferritin, your body’s iron storage marker.  And it’s more common than most people realize.

This is where medicine fails us today.  Everyone wants a “quick fix” to a problem by taking a pill.  But look deeper into the actual cause, and you may find the visual symptoms are a result of your body crying out for help.

What is Ferritin?

Ferritin is the stored form of iron in your body. It determines how much oxygen your cells can access. Think of iron as the oxygen fuel and ferritin as the fuel tank.

When ferritin drops:

• Hair follicles shift into shedding mode

• Nail structure weakens

• Energy production declines

• Exercise feels harder than it should
  

Ferritin 26 ng/mL (Below Optimal Range)

Many labs consider ferritin “normal” anywhere above 20 – 300 ng/mL. The range only reflects population averages and not optimal physiology.

See the matrix below reflecting optimal Ferritin levels:

Feritin Levels	Lab Says	Body Says
20–30 ng/mL	Normal	Often symptomatic
30–40 ng/mL	Normal	Suboptimal for hair & energy
40–60 ng/mL	Normal	Borderline for active adults
60–90 ng/mL	Normal	Optimal for most adults
>150–200 ng/mL	Normal	Monitor for inflammation

The Pattern

Most people will focus on one symptom because that is how our medical system is built….in silos. But our body is a connected system. Multiple changes reflect a system wide issue. You are the best doctor in the room. You know your body better than anyone. But You have to listen to your body. 

When these show up together:

• Fatigue

• Hair thinning

• Nail flattening or ridges

• Brain fog

• Cold intolerance

• Decreased duration

• Poor exercise recovery

That’s not cosmetic. That’s a systemic signal. And the good news? It’s fixable.

The Ageless Pursuit Correction Plan

This isn’t about taking random supplements. It’s about targeted support with proper timing.

For this particular symptom(s) that are revealing themselves, below is the structured protocol we use during the Ferritin Repletion Phase.

Daily Supplement Schedule (Repletion Phase)

1. Morning (with breakfast)

• Biotin – 5,000 mcg

• Vitamin C – 500 mg

• Collagen peptides – 10–15 g

Supports hair, nail matrix, and collagen synthesis.

2. Midday

• Iron bis-glycinate – 25 mg

• Vitamin C – 500 mg

Avoid coffee, dairy, magnesium, or zinc within 2 hours.

3. Early Evening

• Iron bis-glycinate – 25 mg

• Vitamin C – 500 mg

Completes daily iron repletion (50 mg total).

4. Bedtime

• Zinc picolinate – 25 mg

• Magnesium glycinate – 300–400 mg

Supports recovery, sleep, and mineral balance.

Why Timing Matters

• Iron competes with calcium, zinc, and magnesium for absorption.

• Coffee blocks iron uptake.

• Random timing = slow progress.

• Strategic timing = results in 8–12 weeks.

What to Expect

• Weeks 2–3: Energy improves

• Weeks 4–6: Hair shedding slows

• Weeks 8–12: Nails grow smoother

• Months 3–4: Noticeable hair thickening

  
  

Consistency wins.

The Maintenance Phase

Once ferritin reaches 60–90 ng/mL (retest at 8–10 weeks):

Adjustments:

• Reduce iron to 25 mg daily or food-only intake

• Reduce zinc to 15 mg daily

• Continue magnesium nightly

• Continue collagen and biotin if desired

The goal is not lifelong high-dose supplementation. The goal is correction — then stability.

Why This Matters After 40

As we age:

• Iron absorption declines

• Protein intake often drops

• Stress increases mineral depletion

• Training volume can outpace nutrient recovery

Most people treat the symptoms. Ageless Pursuit addresses the cause.

The Bigger Lesson

• Hair thinning isn’t just cosmetic.

• Fatigue isn’t just stress.

• Nail ridges aren’t random.

• Your body whispers before it screams.

• The key is listening early — and responding with precision.

Rediscover Wellness. Redefine Aging.

If you’re over 40 and want to stop guessing about your health, start with data.

• Run comprehensive labs.

• Correct deficiencies.

• Fuel with intention.

• Train intelligently.

• Recover strategically.

That’s the Ageless Pursuit approach.

Ready To Correct It?