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Ferritin Blood Test: What Your Results Mean

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body and releases it when needed. Your ferritin level reflects how much iron your body has in reserve — it is one of the most important markers for detecting iron deficiency before it develops into anemia.

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Normal Range

12 – 150 ng/mL

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Unit

ng/mL

What Your Results Mean

Normal

A normal ferritin level means your body has adequate iron stores to support red blood cell production, immune function, and energy metabolism.

High

High ferritin can indicate iron overload (hemochromatosis), chronic inflammation, liver disease, or certain infections. Elevated ferritin is sometimes used as an inflammatory marker.

Low

Low ferritin is the earliest sign of iron deficiency, often occurring before hemoglobin drops. It causes fatigue, hair loss, brain fog, brittle nails, and reduced physical endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does low ferritin mean? expand_more
Low ferritin means your iron stores are depleted. This is often the first sign of iron deficiency, even before anemia develops. Common causes include poor dietary iron intake, heavy menstrual periods, pregnancy, or poor absorption.
What does high ferritin mean? expand_more
High ferritin can indicate iron overload, liver disease, chronic inflammation, or infection. It is not always a sign of too much iron — it can also rise during inflammation as an acute phase response.
What is a normal ferritin level? expand_more
Normal ferritin levels are typically 12–150 ng/mL for women and 12–300 ng/mL for men, though ranges can vary by laboratory.
How can I increase my ferritin levels? expand_more
Eat iron-rich foods (red meat, spinach, lentils), pair them with vitamin C to boost absorption, and avoid tea or coffee with meals. Your doctor may recommend iron supplements if levels are significantly low.
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