What is Ferritin? Your Complete Guide
Ferritin is your body's iron storage protein — it reflects how much iron you have in reserve. The single best test for iron deficiency. Low ferritin = your iron stores are depleted.
💡Simply Explained
Ferritin is your body's iron savings account. While serum iron shows the cash in your wallet, ferritin shows how much you have stored away. It's THE best single test for iron deficiency — if ferritin is low, you are iron deficient, period.
📏Normal Range
Typical reference range. Your lab may use slightly different values.
⬆️What High Ferritin Means
Possible Causes
- Inflammation or infection (ferritin rises as an acute phase reactant)
- Iron overload (hemochromatosis)
- Liver disease
- Cancer
- Chronic disease
Foods That Can Help
- If due to inflammation: anti-inflammatory diet (turmeric, ginger, omega-3)
- If true iron overload: avoid iron supplements, red meat, and liver
- Drink tea/coffee with meals
⬇️What Low Ferritin Means
Possible Causes
- Iron deficiency — the most definitive marker
- Blood loss (menstruation — affects >50% of Indian women)
- Poor dietary iron intake
- Pregnancy (demand increases)
- Vegetarian diet without iron planning
Foods That Can Help
- Iron-rich: spinach, jaggery, dates, ragi, beetroot
- Pair with vitamin C: amla, lemon, oranges
- Black sesame seeds and garden cress seeds (halim)
- Avoid tea/coffee within 1 hour of meals
- Cook in cast iron vessels
🏃Lifestyle Actions
If Your Ferritin Is High
- Don't panic — high ferritin is commonly due to inflammation, not iron overload
- Get CRP tested alongside to check for inflammation
- If CRP is normal and ferritin is very high, screen for hemochromatosis
- If ferritin >1000, see a doctor promptly
If Your Ferritin Is Low
- Start iron-rich diet immediately
- Iron supplements as prescribed (take with vitamin C, empty stomach)
- Find the cause: heavy periods? Poor diet? GI bleeding?
- Recheck in 3 months — iron stores take time to rebuild
🩺When to See a Doctor
High Ferritin
Ferritin >1000 ng/mL needs prompt investigation (liver disease, hemochromatosis, or malignancy). Moderate elevation (300-500) with normal CRP — recheck in 3 months.
Low Ferritin
Ferritin below 15 is definitive iron deficiency — start supplements. Ferritin 15-30 is likely deficient too. Not a medical emergency, but start treatment within 1-2 weeks.
🎯Did You Know?
Over 50% of Indian women of reproductive age have low ferritin — making iron deficiency arguably India's most widespread nutritional problem. A single ferritin test can detect it years before anemia shows on hemoglobin!
❓Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ferritin?
Ferritin is your body's iron savings account. While serum iron shows the cash in your wallet, ferritin shows how much you have stored away. It's THE best single test for iron deficiency — if ferritin is low, you are iron deficient, period.
What is the normal range for Ferritin?
The typical normal range for Ferritin is 20–250 ng/mL.
What causes high Ferritin?
Inflammation or infection (ferritin rises as an acute phase reactant). Iron overload (hemochromatosis). Liver disease.
What causes low Ferritin?
Iron deficiency — the most definitive marker. Blood loss (menstruation — affects >50% of Indian women). Poor dietary iron intake.
How can I check my Ferritin levels?
You can check your Ferritin levels with a routine blood test. Upload your lab report to ScanHealth for an instant, plain-language explanation.
Check Your Ferritin Results Instantly
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Upload Your ReportThis guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Reference ranges may vary by lab. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.