Ferritin (FER) | LabsVault

What is Ferritin?

Ferritin is a blood protein that reflects how much iron your body has stored. It’s the most reliable single marker for assessing iron status and is routinely included in blood panels when iron deficiency or overload is suspected.

Why is it Tested?

Doctors order ferritin to evaluate unexplained fatigue, anemia, or symptoms of iron overload. It helps distinguish iron-deficiency anemia from other causes and monitors response to iron supplementation or therapeutic phlebotomy.

Normal Ranges

Reference ranges vary by lab, age, and sex. General adult guidelines:

Men: 30–400 ng/mL
Women (pre-menopausal): 15–150 ng/mL
Women (post-menopausal): 30–300 ng/mL

Optimal ranges for general health are often cited as 40–100 ng/mL, though this can vary based on individual context.

Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.

What do Abnormal Results Mean?

Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.

Low Ferritin

Low levels indicate depleted iron stores and may point to:

Iron-deficiency anemia
Chronic blood loss
Inadequate dietary iron intake
Malabsorption conditions (e.g., celiac disease)

High Ferritin

Elevated ferritin doesn’t always mean excess iron — it’s also an acute-phase reactant that rises with inflammation. Possible causes include:

Hemochromatosis (hereditary iron overload)
Chronic inflammation or infection
Liver disease
Certain cancers

How to Track Over Time

Tracking ferritin across multiple lab draws reveals trends that a single snapshot can’t. A gradual decline may signal developing deficiency before symptoms appear, while persistently elevated levels warrant further workup even if individual readings seem borderline.

Ferritin