Hi, hairblues.
My ferritin was also low when my dermatologist tested it almost four years ago. I raised it considerably with an iron supplement and blackstrap molasses. I also eat cereal that's high in iron. Unfortunately for me--but not necessarily for you--none of what I've done has had a positive effect on my shedding. From the start, I've shed all the types of hairs you've described and copious amounts of them. Currently, my sheds consist of more short-cycling hairs of various diameters and lengths. I know this is miniaturization for me, since I had a scalp biopsy done three years ago which revealed Androgenetic Alopecia.
I have two dermatologists. The doctor who read my scalp biopsy takes a picture of my hair yearly to assess the progression of my hair loss. This is not a scalp biopsy. With a scalp biopsy, a small area of hair and skin is removed, and there is a small amount of bleeding. It's not painful.
I have been using 5% minoxidil for over two years no. I'm still shedding just the same, but I've had no side effects. I'm 53, by the way. I haven't gone through menopause yet. I'm wondering if you should wait until all your blood work has been completed until you try minoxidil, in case a deficiency is the culprit for you.
Good luck, hairblues, and keep us posted.