Malnutrition and poor absorption are conditions where the body lacks essential nutrients due to inadequate dietary intake or impaired nutrient absorption in the digestive system. These conditions are caused by insufficient food consumption, digestive disorders like celiac disease or Crohn's disease, or deficiencies in critical nutrients like iron, vitamins, and proteins. The Ferritin, Serum test is the most important test for diagnosing malnutrition-related iron deficiency because it measures the body's iron stores and reveals poor nutrient absorption.
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Malnutrition and poor absorption are caused by inadequate dietary intake, digestive disorders that impair nutrient uptake, or conditions that increase nutrient requirements. Common causes include inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, celiac disease that damages the small intestine, chronic diarrhea, parasitic infections, and surgical removal of parts of the digestive tract. Additionally, conditions like alcoholism, eating disorders, poverty, and lack of access to nutritious food contribute to malnutrition by limiting the intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins.
The Ferritin, Serum test is the most important test for malnutrition because it directly measures your body's iron stores and reveals whether you are absorbing nutrients properly from your diet. Low ferritin levels indicate iron deficiency, which is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide and often signals broader malnutrition or absorption problems. This test is particularly valuable because ferritin drops before anemia develops, allowing for early detection and intervention. Additional tests like complete blood count, albumin, prealbumin, vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D levels can provide a comprehensive nutritional assessment and identify specific deficiencies affecting your health.
You should get tested if you experience unexplained fatigue, weakness, frequent infections, slow wound healing, hair loss, or brittle nails. Testing is also important if you have chronic digestive symptoms like persistent diarrhea, bloating, stomach pain, or unexplained weight loss despite eating normally. People with inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, after gastrointestinal surgery, or those following restrictive diets should get tested regularly to monitor their nutritional status and catch deficiencies early before serious health complications develop.
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What this means
Your ferritin levels are below the optimal range, indicating depleted iron stores in your body. This can explain persistent fatigue, weakness, difficulty concentrating, and may lead to anemia if not addressed. Low ferritin is especially common in women with heavy periods, athletes, and those following plant-based diets.
Recommended actions
Increase iron-rich foods like red meat, poultry, beans, lentils, and dark leafy greens
Pair iron sources with vitamin C foods (citrus, bell peppers) to boost absorption
Consider an iron supplement after consulting with your doctor about appropriate dosage
Retest ferritin in 2-3 months to monitor improvement and adjust your approach
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