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Ferritin Levels – Normal Range, Causes & Treatment
Ferritin levels indicate how well the body iron stores are filled. Low or high values can point to iron deficiency, overload, or underlying medical conditions.
Things worth knowing about "Ferritin Levels"
Ferritin levels indicate how well the body iron stores are filled. Low or high values can point to iron deficiency, overload, or underlying medical conditions.
What Are Ferritin Levels?
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body and releases it when needed. The ferritin level measured in the blood reflects the state of the body iron stores. It is a key laboratory value used to diagnose iron deficiency, iron overload, and a variety of medical conditions.
Reference Ranges for Ferritin
Normal ferritin levels can vary slightly depending on the laboratory, age, and sex. General reference ranges are:
- Men: approx. 30–400 µg/l (micrograms per litre)
- Women (premenopausal): approx. 15–150 µg/l
- Women (postmenopausal): approx. 30–400 µg/l
- Children: age-dependent, generally 7–140 µg/l
- Pregnant women: values may differ; individual assessment is required
A value below 30 µg/l is often considered a sign of iron deficiency, even when haemoglobin levels are still within the normal range. Values below 12 µg/l typically indicate significant iron depletion.
Low Ferritin Levels
Low ferritin levels indicate depleted iron stores and are often an early sign of iron deficiency, occurring before anaemia develops.
Possible Causes
- Insufficient dietary iron intake
- Increased iron demand (e.g., during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or growth phases)
- Chronic blood loss (e.g., heavy menstruation, gastrointestinal bleeding)
- Impaired intestinal absorption (e.g., coeliac disease, Crohn disease)
- Regular intense endurance exercise (sports anaemia)
Symptoms of Low Ferritin
- Persistent fatigue and exhaustion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hair loss
- Pale skin and mucous membranes
- Brittle nails
- Headaches and dizziness
High Ferritin Levels
Elevated ferritin levels can indicate iron overload, but they may also rise due to inflammation or various diseases, as ferritin is an acute-phase protein that increases in response to inflammation regardless of iron status.
Possible Causes
- Haemochromatosis (a hereditary iron storage disorder)
- Chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
- Liver disease (e.g., fatty liver, hepatitis)
- Frequent blood transfusions
- Certain cancers
- Excessive iron supplementation
Symptoms of High Ferritin
- Joint and abdominal pain
- Fatigue and general malaise
- Impaired liver function
- In severe iron overload: damage to the heart, liver, and pancreas
Diagnosis and Interpretation
Ferritin levels are measured through a simple blood test. Since ferritin can rise with inflammation independently of actual iron stores, it is usually interpreted alongside additional laboratory parameters:
- Serum iron: direct measurement of iron in the blood
- Transferrin and transferrin saturation: the main iron transport protein
- CRP (C-reactive protein): to rule out inflammation
- Haemoglobin and full blood count: to assess for anaemia
Treatment of Abnormal Ferritin Levels
For Iron Deficiency (Low Ferritin)
- Iron-rich diet (red meat, legumes, wholegrains, dark leafy vegetables)
- Combining iron-rich foods with vitamin C to enhance absorption
- Iron supplements (oral or intravenous) as prescribed by a doctor
- Treatment of the underlying cause (e.g., intestinal disease, source of bleeding)
For Iron Overload (High Ferritin)
- Regular therapeutic phlebotomy (bloodletting) for haemochromatosis
- Chelation therapy to promote iron excretion
- Dietary adjustments (reducing iron-rich foods and vitamin-C-rich foods at mealtimes)
- Treatment of the underlying condition
When to See a Doctor
If you experience persistent fatigue, hair loss, pallor, or other symptoms that may suggest iron deficiency, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation. Incidentally discovered elevated ferritin levels should also be investigated further to rule out serious underlying conditions.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO): Serum ferritin concentrations for the assessment of iron status and iron deficiency in populations. WHO/NMH/NHD/MNM/11.2, Geneva 2011.
- Camaschella C. Iron-deficiency anemia. New England Journal of Medicine. 2015;372(19):1832–1843.
- Lopez A, Cacoub P, Macdougall IC, Peyrin-Biroulet L. Iron deficiency anaemia. Lancet. 2016;387(10021):907–916.
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