Your Guide to Ferritin Levels
An interactive tool to help you understand your iron storage and what the numbers mean.
What is Ferritin?
Ferritin isn't iron itself, but a blood protein that contains iron. A ferritin test helps your doctor understand how much iron your body is storing. It's like a reserve tank for iron. When your body needs iron to create new red blood cells, it draws from the ferritin stored in your cells.
Having levels that are too low or too high can indicate underlying health issues, making it an important health marker.
Check Normal Ferritin Ranges
Select your gender and enter your age to see the typical normal range for ferritin. These values are for informational purposes only.
Understanding Low Ferritin
Low ferritin is a primary indicator of iron deficiency. This means your body's iron stores are depleted. Without enough iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Common Causes:
- Inadequate iron intake (diet)
- Blood loss (e.g., heavy periods, internal bleeding)
- Poor iron absorption (e.g., Celiac disease)
- Increased need for iron (e.g., pregnancy)
Understanding High Ferritin
High ferritin levels suggest your body is storing too much iron, a condition known as iron overload. It can also be a sign of inflammation, liver disease, or other chronic conditions.
Common Causes:
- Hemochromatosis (a genetic disorder)
- Frequent blood transfusions
- Liver disease or alcohol abuse
- Inflammatory conditions (e.g., arthritis)
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