⚠️ Educational only. LabPlain does not provide medical advice or diagnosis. Always discuss your specific results with your healthcare provider.
What this test measures
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside your cells and releases it when your body needs it. A ferritin blood test measures how much iron your body has in reserve — making it one of the most important markers for diagnosing iron-deficiency anemia and iron overload.
Unlike serum iron, which reflects iron currently circulating in your blood, ferritin shows your total iron stores. You can have normal serum iron but critically depleted ferritin — meaning your reserves are nearly gone. This is why doctors often order ferritin alongside the full iron panel.
Ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant, meaning it rises during inflammation, infection, liver disease, and certain cancers — so a high result doesn't always mean too much iron. Context matters enormously.
Normal reference range
Women: 12–150 ng/mL | Men: 24–336 ng/mL
Ranges vary by lab and age. Many functional medicine practitioners consider optimal ferritin to be 50–100 ng/mL for women and 100–200 ng/mL for men — even if your result is technically "in range," you may have symptoms if ferritin falls below 30 ng/mL.
Always compare your result to the reference range printed on your specific lab report.
What your result might indicate
↓ If Low (<12 ng/mL)
Iron stores are depleted. Even results between 12–30 ng/mL can cause fatigue, hair loss, and restless legs in many people. Your doctor will likely look for the cause — diet, blood loss, or malabsorption.
↑ If High (>300–500 ng/mL)
Possible iron overload, inflammation, liver disease, or other conditions. A single high result doesn't confirm iron overload — your doctor will check for inflammation markers and may order genetic testing.
Symptoms associated with abnormal ferritin
↓ Low Ferritin Symptoms
Persistent fatigue and weakness
Hair thinning or hair loss
Restless legs syndrome at night
Brittle or spoon-shaped nails
Shortness of breath on exertion
Brain fog, difficulty concentrating
Cold hands and feet
Pale inner eyelids or skin
↑ High Ferritin Symptoms
Joint pain (knuckles and hips)
Fatigue and weakness
Abdominal pain
Bronze or gray skin discoloration
Reduced libido
Heart palpitations
Elevated blood sugar
Often asymptomatic early on
Common causes of abnormal ferritin
What can lower ferritin?
The most common cause in women of reproductive age is heavy menstrual periods — chronic blood loss that outpaces iron intake. Other causes include inadequate dietary iron (vegetarian and vegan diets are high risk), GI blood loss from ulcers, polyps, or Crohn's disease, malabsorption conditions like celiac disease, pregnancy, and frequent blood donation without iron supplementation.
What can raise ferritin?
Hereditary hemochromatosis is the most serious cause — a genetic condition causing excessive iron absorption, most common in people of Northern European descent. But high ferritin is also seen in chronic inflammation (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, IBD), liver disease, metabolic syndrome, alcoholism, multiple blood transfusions, and certain cancers including leukemia and lymphoma. Elevated ferritin from inflammation is not the same as iron overload and is treated differently.
Tests often ordered alongside ferritin
Ferritin is most meaningful when interpreted with the full iron panel:
Serum iron — iron actively circulating in your blood right now
TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity) — measures how much iron your blood could carry; rises when iron is low
Transferrin saturation — the percentage of iron-binding sites that are actually filled; key for diagnosing hemochromatosis
CBC (Complete Blood Count) — checks for anemia and red blood cell size
CRP or ESR — inflammation markers that help distinguish true iron overload from inflammation-driven high ferritin
Liver panel — liver disease is a major cause of elevated ferritin
What to do next
A single ferritin result is rarely the whole story. Low ferritin is common and very treatable — but identifying the cause matters as much as supplementing iron. High ferritin requires investigation before treatment, since inflammation and true iron overload are managed very differently. Don't panic over a single number. Only your doctor can interpret your result in the context of your full health picture.
Questions to ask your doctor
01Is my ferritin optimal for my age and sex, or just technically within the lab's reference range?
02Should we check the full iron panel — serum iron, TIBC, and transferrin saturation — alongside ferritin?
03Could inflammation be causing my high ferritin rather than true iron overload?
04If my ferritin is low, what form and dose of iron supplement do you recommend?
05Do I need genetic testing for hereditary hemochromatosis?
06How often should we recheck ferritin while I'm being treated?
Frequently asked questions
Can I have iron deficiency if my ferritin is "in range"?
Yes. Labs define normal as 12 ng/mL and above, but many people experience fatigue and hair loss when ferritin falls below 30–50 ng/mL. If you have symptoms and low-normal ferritin, it's worth a conversation with your doctor.
My ferritin is high but I feel fine. Should I be worried?
High ferritin is often asymptomatic in early stages. Your doctor will likely check inflammation markers, liver function, and may order genetic testing for hemochromatosis. High ferritin from inflammation is different from true iron overload — the cause determines the treatment.
What's the difference between ferritin and serum iron?
Serum iron measures what's circulating in your blood right now. Ferritin measures your stored reserves. You can have normal serum iron but very low ferritin — meaning reserves are nearly gone. That's why the full iron panel tells a more complete story than either test alone.
How do I raise low ferritin?
Dietary iron (red meat, liver, dark leafy greens, lentils), iron supplements, and treating the underlying cause. Pairing iron-rich foods or supplements with vitamin C improves absorption. Avoid calcium, coffee, and tea close to iron intake. Severe deficiency may require IV iron infusions.
Does ferritin go up during illness or infection?
Yes. Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant and can spike dramatically during acute infections, inflammatory flares, or serious illness. A high result after recent illness may not reflect your true iron status — your doctor may recommend retesting after recovery.