Ferritin
Ferritin
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, making it available when needed for red blood cell production.
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, making it available when needed for red blood cell production.
Ferritin
Normal range
Normal range
20-300 ug/L
20-300 ug/L
Normal range
20-300 ug/L
20-300 ug/L
Normal range
Ferritin
Ferritin
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, making it available when needed for red blood cell production.
Ferritin
Normal range
20-300 ug/L
Normal range
20-300 ug/L
20-300 ug/L
Normal range
Ferritin
Ferritin
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, making it available when needed for red blood cell production.
Ferritin
Normal range
20-300 ug/L
Normal range
20-300 ug/L
20-300 ug/L
Normal range
Ferritin
Dr. Yiannis Balanos
MBBS MRCGP
The Iron Storage Indicator
The Iron Storage Indicator
Ferritin is your body's iron storage protein, revealing how much iron you have in reserve. Unlike other biomarkers that tell a single story, ferritin is more complex—it's also an inflammatory marker that rises when your body is fighting infection, dealing with chronic disease, or raised in some liver conditions. This makes ferritin not the most specific of iron markers.
When iron stores are adequate, ferritin levels remain stable. When iron reserves become depleted, ferritin drops, often before you develop full-blown anaemia. Conversely, when ferritin rises significantly, it may indicate either iron overload or chronic inflammation—two very different conditions requiring different approaches.
Ferritin is your body's iron storage protein, revealing how much iron you have in reserve. Unlike other biomarkers that tell a single story, ferritin is more complex—it's also an inflammatory marker that rises when your body is fighting infection, dealing with chronic disease, or raised in some liver conditions. This makes ferritin not the most specific of iron markers.
When iron stores are adequate, ferritin levels remain stable. When iron reserves become depleted, ferritin drops, often before you develop full-blown anaemia. Conversely, when ferritin rises significantly, it may indicate either iron overload or chronic inflammation—two very different conditions requiring different approaches.
When Your Iron Reserves Are Depleted
When Your Iron Reserves Are Depleted
When Your Iron Reserves Are Depleted
Discover how low ferritin levels serve as an early warning system for iron deficiency.
Read more
When Your Iron Storage System Overloads
When Your Iron Storage System Overloads
When Your Iron Storage System Overloads
Learn why elevated ferritin can signal either iron excess or chronic inflammation in your body.
Read more
What Influences Your Ferritin Levels
What Influences Your Ferritin Levels
What Influences Your Ferritin Levels
Learn about the dietary, medical, and lifestyle factors that can dramatically affect your body's iron storage capacity.
Read more
Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Decode your ferritin numbers and know what they mean for your iron status and overall health.
Read more
When Your Iron Reserves Are Depleted
Low Ferritin (Iron Deficiency) Low ferritin signals that your body's iron reserves are depleted, often serving as an early warning system before you develop iron deficiency anaemia. This depletion typically occurs gradually, with symptoms appearing slowly as your iron stores become exhausted.
You might experience persistent fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating during tasks that previously felt manageable. Physical symptoms often include feeling short of breath during activities, cold hands and feet, or restless leg syndrome, particularly at night. Some people notice hair thinning or brittle nails as iron stores become further depleted.
As iron deficiency progresses, you may experience rapid heartbeat during exertion, reduced exercise tolerance, and sleep disturbances.
When Your Iron Reserves Are Depleted
Low Ferritin (Iron Deficiency) Low ferritin signals that your body's iron reserves are depleted, often serving as an early warning system before you develop iron deficiency anaemia. This depletion typically occurs gradually, with symptoms appearing slowly as your iron stores become exhausted.
You might experience persistent fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating during tasks that previously felt manageable. Physical symptoms often include feeling short of breath during activities, cold hands and feet, or restless leg syndrome, particularly at night. Some people notice hair thinning or brittle nails as iron stores become further depleted.
As iron deficiency progresses, you may experience rapid heartbeat during exertion, reduced exercise tolerance, and sleep disturbances.
When Your Iron Reserves Are Depleted
Low Ferritin (Iron Deficiency) Low ferritin signals that your body's iron reserves are depleted, often serving as an early warning system before you develop iron deficiency anaemia. This depletion typically occurs gradually, with symptoms appearing slowly as your iron stores become exhausted.
You might experience persistent fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating during tasks that previously felt manageable. Physical symptoms often include feeling short of breath during activities, cold hands and feet, or restless leg syndrome, particularly at night. Some people notice hair thinning or brittle nails as iron stores become further depleted.
As iron deficiency progresses, you may experience rapid heartbeat during exertion, reduced exercise tolerance, and sleep disturbances.
When Your Iron Storage System Overloads
High Ferritin (Iron Overload or Inflammation) Elevated ferritin can signal two different conditions: true iron overload or chronic inflammation.
When ferritin rises due to chronic inflammation, it reflects your body's response to underlying conditions such as autoimmune disorders, liver disease, or metabolic syndrome. You might experience fatigue, joint discomfort, or other symptoms related to these underlying conditions rather than the elevated ferritin itself.
True iron overload, often genetic, can lead to iron accumulation in organs over time. People who are overweight often have elevated ferritin because excess body fat produces inflammatory compounds, creating a situation where ferritin reflects general metabolic health.
When Your Iron Storage System Overloads
High Ferritin (Iron Overload or Inflammation) Elevated ferritin can signal two different conditions: true iron overload or chronic inflammation.
When ferritin rises due to chronic inflammation, it reflects your body's response to underlying conditions such as autoimmune disorders, liver disease, or metabolic syndrome. You might experience fatigue, joint discomfort, or other symptoms related to these underlying conditions rather than the elevated ferritin itself.
True iron overload, often genetic, can lead to iron accumulation in organs over time. People who are overweight often have elevated ferritin because excess body fat produces inflammatory compounds, creating a situation where ferritin reflects general metabolic health.
When Your Iron Storage System Overloads
High Ferritin (Iron Overload or Inflammation) Elevated ferritin can signal two different conditions: true iron overload or chronic inflammation.
When ferritin rises due to chronic inflammation, it reflects your body's response to underlying conditions such as autoimmune disorders, liver disease, or metabolic syndrome. You might experience fatigue, joint discomfort, or other symptoms related to these underlying conditions rather than the elevated ferritin itself.
True iron overload, often genetic, can lead to iron accumulation in organs over time. People who are overweight often have elevated ferritin because excess body fat produces inflammatory compounds, creating a situation where ferritin reflects general metabolic health.
What Influences Your Ferritin Levels
Factors that decrease ferritin: Heavy menstrual periods and bleeding from conditions like ulcers or digestive tract disorders can deplete iron stores. Pregnancy significantly increases iron demands, often resulting in lower ferritin levels. Any diet without enough iron intake may lead to deficiency, whilst digestive disorders like coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease can impair iron absorption.
Factors that increase ferritin: Chronic inflammatory conditions including autoimmune diseases, liver disease, and metabolic syndrome elevate ferritin levels. Excess body weight contributes to inflammation, often resulting in higher ferritin readings. Genetic conditions like hereditary haemochromatosis cause excessive iron absorption, leading to elevated ferritin due to true iron overload.
Excessive iron supplementation, chronic alcohol consumption, and certain infections or rarely, cancers, can also raise ferritin levels. Some medications and even intense physical training can temporarily increase ferritin through inflammatory processes.
What Influences Your Ferritin Levels
Factors that decrease ferritin: Heavy menstrual periods and bleeding from conditions like ulcers or digestive tract disorders can deplete iron stores. Pregnancy significantly increases iron demands, often resulting in lower ferritin levels. Any diet without enough iron intake may lead to deficiency, whilst digestive disorders like coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease can impair iron absorption.
Factors that increase ferritin: Chronic inflammatory conditions including autoimmune diseases, liver disease, and metabolic syndrome elevate ferritin levels. Excess body weight contributes to inflammation, often resulting in higher ferritin readings. Genetic conditions like hereditary haemochromatosis cause excessive iron absorption, leading to elevated ferritin due to true iron overload.
Excessive iron supplementation, chronic alcohol consumption, and certain infections or rarely, cancers, can also raise ferritin levels. Some medications and even intense physical training can temporarily increase ferritin through inflammatory processes.
What Influences Your Ferritin Levels
Factors that decrease ferritin: Heavy menstrual periods and bleeding from conditions like ulcers or digestive tract disorders can deplete iron stores. Pregnancy significantly increases iron demands, often resulting in lower ferritin levels. Any diet without enough iron intake may lead to deficiency, whilst digestive disorders like coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease can impair iron absorption.
Factors that increase ferritin: Chronic inflammatory conditions including autoimmune diseases, liver disease, and metabolic syndrome elevate ferritin levels. Excess body weight contributes to inflammation, often resulting in higher ferritin readings. Genetic conditions like hereditary haemochromatosis cause excessive iron absorption, leading to elevated ferritin due to true iron overload.
Excessive iron supplementation, chronic alcohol consumption, and certain infections or rarely, cancers, can also raise ferritin levels. Some medications and even intense physical training can temporarily increase ferritin through inflammatory processes.
Understanding Your Results
Ferritin is measured in micrograms per litre (μg/L) and should be interpreted alongside other iron studies including transferrin saturation and total iron-binding capacity for a complete picture of your iron status.
Normal ferritin ranges:
Men: 20-300 μg/L
Women (pre-menopausal): 20-200 μg/L
Women (post-menopausal): 20-300 μg/L
Low ferritin: Below 20 μg/L typically indicates iron deficiency
High ferritin: Above 300 μg/L (men/post-menopausal women) or 200 μg/L (pre-menopausal women) may be due to many reasons as described above.
Very high ferritin levels: (>1000 μg/L) usually warrant further investigation.
Your doctor will interpret ferritin results in context with your symptoms, medical history, and other blood tests. Low ferritin almost always indicates iron deficiency, whilst high ferritin requires investigation to determine whether it reflects inflammation, iron overload, or metabolic dysfunction.
Understanding Your Results
Ferritin is measured in micrograms per litre (μg/L) and should be interpreted alongside other iron studies including transferrin saturation and total iron-binding capacity for a complete picture of your iron status.
Normal ferritin ranges:
Men: 20-300 μg/L
Women (pre-menopausal): 20-200 μg/L
Women (post-menopausal): 20-300 μg/L
Low ferritin: Below 20 μg/L typically indicates iron deficiency
High ferritin: Above 300 μg/L (men/post-menopausal women) or 200 μg/L (pre-menopausal women) may be due to many reasons as described above.
Very high ferritin levels: (>1000 μg/L) usually warrant further investigation.
Your doctor will interpret ferritin results in context with your symptoms, medical history, and other blood tests. Low ferritin almost always indicates iron deficiency, whilst high ferritin requires investigation to determine whether it reflects inflammation, iron overload, or metabolic dysfunction.
Understanding Your Results
Ferritin is measured in micrograms per litre (μg/L) and should be interpreted alongside other iron studies including transferrin saturation and total iron-binding capacity for a complete picture of your iron status.
Normal ferritin ranges:
Men: 20-300 μg/L
Women (pre-menopausal): 20-200 μg/L
Women (post-menopausal): 20-300 μg/L
Low ferritin: Below 20 μg/L typically indicates iron deficiency
High ferritin: Above 300 μg/L (men/post-menopausal women) or 200 μg/L (pre-menopausal women) may be due to many reasons as described above.
Very high ferritin levels: (>1000 μg/L) usually warrant further investigation.
Your doctor will interpret ferritin results in context with your symptoms, medical history, and other blood tests. Low ferritin almost always indicates iron deficiency, whilst high ferritin requires investigation to determine whether it reflects inflammation, iron overload, or metabolic dysfunction.
The Takeaway
Ferritin provides valuable insight into both your iron reserves and inflammatory status. Low levels almost always indicate iron deficiency, whilst high levels require further consideration to determine whether they reflect inflammation, iron overload, or metabolic dysfunction.
Iron deficiency typically improves with dietary changes, appropriate supplementation, or treating other underlying causes. Elevated ferritin may require addressing inflammation, weight management, or managing conditions like haemochromatosis.
Don't dismiss persistent fatigue, particularly if you have risk factors like heavy periods, dietary restrictions, or chronic inflammatory conditions. A simple ferritin test can reveal whether your symptoms might be related to iron storage problems and guide appropriate treatment.
The Takeaway
Ferritin provides valuable insight into both your iron reserves and inflammatory status. Low levels almost always indicate iron deficiency, whilst high levels require further consideration to determine whether they reflect inflammation, iron overload, or metabolic dysfunction.
Iron deficiency typically improves with dietary changes, appropriate supplementation, or treating other underlying causes. Elevated ferritin may require addressing inflammation, weight management, or managing conditions like haemochromatosis.
Don't dismiss persistent fatigue, particularly if you have risk factors like heavy periods, dietary restrictions, or chronic inflammatory conditions. A simple ferritin test can reveal whether your symptoms might be related to iron storage problems and guide appropriate treatment.
The Takeaway
Ferritin provides valuable insight into both your iron reserves and inflammatory status. Low levels almost always indicate iron deficiency, whilst high levels require further consideration to determine whether they reflect inflammation, iron overload, or metabolic dysfunction.
Iron deficiency typically improves with dietary changes, appropriate supplementation, or treating other underlying causes. Elevated ferritin may require addressing inflammation, weight management, or managing conditions like haemochromatosis.
Don't dismiss persistent fatigue, particularly if you have risk factors like heavy periods, dietary restrictions, or chronic inflammatory conditions. A simple ferritin test can reveal whether your symptoms might be related to iron storage problems and guide appropriate treatment.
References
British Society for Haematology. (2021). Guidelines for the investigation and management of iron deficiency anaemia. British Journal of Haematology.
World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status in individuals and populations. Geneva: World Health Organization.
European Association for the Study of the Liver. (2022). EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on haemochromatosis. Journal of Hepatology.
NICE. (2021). Anaemia - iron deficiency. Clinical Knowledge Summary. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
References
British Society for Haematology. (2021). Guidelines for the investigation and management of iron deficiency anaemia. British Journal of Haematology.
World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status in individuals and populations. Geneva: World Health Organization.
European Association for the Study of the Liver. (2022). EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on haemochromatosis. Journal of Hepatology.
NICE. (2021). Anaemia - iron deficiency. Clinical Knowledge Summary. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
References
British Society for Haematology. (2021). Guidelines for the investigation and management of iron deficiency anaemia. British Journal of Haematology.
World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status in individuals and populations. Geneva: World Health Organization.
European Association for the Study of the Liver. (2022). EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on haemochromatosis. Journal of Hepatology.
NICE. (2021). Anaemia - iron deficiency. Clinical Knowledge Summary. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
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