Ferritin: what it is (and why it is high or low)

Ferritin is a protein produced by the liver responsible for storing iron in the body. This test allows you to check the amount of iron in your blood and monitor the response to treatment in case of iron deficiency.

Ferritin levels may be altered in the case of anemia, excessive alcohol consumption and infections, for example, and sometimes a more complete assessment is necessary to identify why they are high or low.

In case of changes in ferritin levels in the blood, it is recommended to consult a hematologist or general practitioner so that the cause can be identified and the most appropriate treatment can be indicated.

What is the ferritin test for?

The ferritin test is normally indicated for:

• Check the amount of iron in the bodyespecially in case of suspected anemia;
• Monitor response to treatment, in case of iron deficiency or hemochromatosis, for example;
• Complement the assessment of the body’s inflammation levels due to infections and diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

However, the most common indication for the ferritin test is to evaluate the body’s iron stores in case of suspected anemia, and it is common for the doctor to also recommend other tests, such as a blood count and serum iron and/or blood transferrin levels. , to confirm the diagnosis. Find out about other tests that confirm anemia.

Ferritin reference values

Generally, the normal value of serum ferritin varies from 23 to 336 ng/mL, in men, and from 11 to 306 ng/mL, in women. However, the reference value for ferritin in the blood may be different depending on the laboratory in which the test was carried out.

What does the result mean

The result of the ferritin test must be analyzed by a hematologist or general practitioner, who takes into account the symptoms present and the person’s health history, as well as the results of other tests, to identify the cause of the changes.

High ferritin

The main causes of high ferritin are:

• Excessive alcohol consumption;
• Infections, such as COVID-19;
• Inflammation, due to rheumatoid arthritis, for example;
• Hemolytic anemia;
• Liver diseases, such as alcoholic or viral liver disease;
• Hemochromatosis;
• Some types of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma.

The symptoms of high ferritin are generally associated with excess iron in the body and include joint pain, tiredness, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, difficulty thinking or abnormal body movements, for example. Find out the symptoms of excess iron in the blood and how it is treated.

Low ferritin

The main causes of low ferritin are:

• Iron deficiency anemia;
• Hypothyroidism;
• Gastrointestinal bleeding;
• Heavy menstrual bleeding;
• Diet low in iron and vitamin C.

Symptoms of low ferritin include tiredness, weakness, paleness, lack of appetite, hair loss, headaches or dizziness and are normally associated with a drop in iron levels in the body. Generally, treatment involves replacing iron and eating foods rich in this mineral. Discover the main foods rich in iron.