Ferritin — Iron Storage
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron, and the ferritin blood test indirectly measures how much iron your body has stored. How to read a low or high result.
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside your cells, and the ferritin blood test indirectly measures how much iron your body has stored. A low result may mean iron deficiency; a high result can come from too much iron in the body, liver disease or inflammation.
Watch the 32-second version
Ferritin drops long before anaemia shows up on a blood count.
Transcript & sources → All videosMr. Age is AgeGen's editorial character. Facts come from the protocol above.
The biomarker
- Name: Ferritin
- Units: ng/mL
- Standard reference range: 13–150 (women); 30–400 (men) (ranges vary by lab)
How to read your result
| Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Below your lab's range | May mean iron deficiency anemia or another condition related to low iron |
| Low end of your lab's range | The lower the level, even within the normal range, the more likely your body does not have enough iron stored |
| Above your lab's range | Can be caused by too much iron in the body (hemochromatosis), liver disease or inflammation — a result for your clinician to follow up |
What moves the needle
- Low. Ask your clinician what is causing it before acting. Iron from plant foods is absorbed better when eaten with foods that contain vitamin C.
- High. Do not take iron supplements; ask your clinician whether iron overload, liver disease or inflammation explains the result.
- Never on a hunch. Do not start iron supplements without a clinician — iron can be harmful if you get too much.
Why this test is worth asking for
- It indirectly measures how much iron your body has stored, which is what you draw on to make healthy red blood cells.
- It helps your clinician see whether your body is storing too little iron, the right amount, or too much.
- A high value has more than one possible cause, so it is read with your clinician rather than on its own.
Related protocols
- Iron Studies — Serum Iron, TIBC and Transferrin Saturation
- Zinc — Immune Mineral Status
- Vitamin D — 25-Hydroxyvitamin D
Sources
- MedlinePlus — Ferritin Blood Test
- MedlinePlus — Ferritin blood test (Medical Encyclopedia)
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Iron Fact Sheet for Consumers
AgeGen lab guides are educational only. We do not provide medical diagnosis, prescribe brands, or recommend specific doses. Talk to a licensed clinician before changing your supplement or medication routine.
