Ferritin
Ferritin reflects iron stores AND acts as an acute-phase reactant. High ferritin can mean iron overload OR inflammation — context matters. Low ferritin reliably means iron deficiency.
- Category
- Inflammation
- Units
- µg/L
- Reference range
- 30-300 µg/L (men)
What does a high Ferritin result mean?
Haemochromatosis, NAFLD, chronic inflammation, alcohol, recent illness. Sustained above 300-500 µg/L warrants haemochromatosis screening.
What does a low Ferritin result mean?
Iron deficiency. In men, always investigate the cause — GI blood loss is the default assumption until proven otherwise.
Why does Ferritin matter?
Low ferritin tanks energy and endurance long before haemoglobin moves. High ferritin in a metabolic context is often inflammation, not iron overload.
FAQs
- What is haemochromatosis?
- Genetic iron overload. Treatable by phlebotomy. Persistently high ferritin in a male with no inflammation cause warrants HFE gene testing.
Want Ferritin interpreted in the context of your full panel? Every FORM bloodwork tier covers it, with an MD walking you through the result.
Message on WhatsAppRelated inflammation markers
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