Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside the body. A small amount of it circulates in the blood, and this level gives a good idea of how much iron you have in reserve. Low ferritin usually means your iron stores are running low, sometimes even before haemoglobin drops. People often get it checked for tiredness, hair fall, pale skin, heavy periods, pregnancy planning or anaemia. Ferritin can also rise during infection or inflammation, so a high value does not always mean too much iron.
हिंदी में पढ़ें| Level | Value (ng/mL) |
|---|---|
| Men (adults)Labs vary | About 24 – 336 ng/mL |
| Women (adults)Often lower before menopause | About 11 – 307 ng/mL |
| Low iron stores likelyDoctor confirms with other tests | Below about 15 – 30 ng/mL |
| HighInflammation, liver issues or iron overload | Above the upper limit on your report |
Ranges differ a little from lab to lab.
This usually points to low iron stores, even if haemoglobin is still normal. Your doctor will look for the reason, such as diet or blood loss, and decide the next step.
This is above the usual range. It is often due to inflammation, infection, fatty liver or alcohol, and less often iron overload; your doctor may check iron and other tests.
This is clearly high and should be reviewed by a doctor soon. They may order iron saturation, liver tests and other checks to find the cause.
The test measures ferritin in the blood in ng/mL. It is often done with serum iron, TIBC and haemoglobin in an iron deficiency profile. Doctors advise it for people with anaemia, tiredness, hair fall, heavy periods, pregnancy, vegetarian diets low in iron, or long-term illness. People on iron treatment may repeat it after a few months to see if stores are improving, as the doctor advises.
Ferritin alone does not need fasting. If it is part of an iron profile, a morning fasting sample is often preferred. If you take iron tablets, ask your doctor whether to skip the dose before the test, and tell them if you have a fever or infection.
See a doctor if your ferritin is outside the range printed on your report. See a doctor soon if low ferritin comes with breathlessness, a fast heartbeat, fainting, black stools or very heavy periods. Do not start iron tablets on your own if ferritin is high, and let your doctor decide the cause.
For adults it is about 24–336 ng/mL in men and 11–307 ng/mL in women, though labs vary. The range printed on your own report is the one that applies, and your doctor reads it with your other results.
Yes. Ferritin shows your iron reserve, which often falls before haemoglobin does. Low ferritin with normal haemoglobin may still explain tiredness or hair fall, and your doctor can advise what to do.
Ferritin rises during infection and inflammation, and also with fatty liver, alcohol and true iron overload. A high value needs a doctor to look at it with other tests before any conclusion is drawn.
Book a ferritin or iron deficiency profile online. The blood sample is collected at your home, tested at a partner lab, and the report is sent to you on WhatsApp and email.
This page is general information, not medical advice. The normal range printed on your own report is the one that applies, and only a doctor can tell what your result means for you.
5 tests covering IRON DEFICIENCY. 10–12 hours fasting needed.
The Iron Deficiency Profile Advanced helps to diagnose and monitor iron deficiency anemias. This profile offers a comprehensive evaluation of your body’s iron status—measuring not just the amount of iron in your blood, but also how well it is transported and stored. Ideal for individuals experiencing fatigue, weakness, or symptoms of anemia like hair fall, breathlessness, pale skin and loss of appetite. 10–12 hours fasting needed.
Iron Deficiency profile aids in measuring the amount of iron present in the body which helps detect an iron deficiency or overload. Deficiency of iron can lead to anemia, shortness of breath, headache, weakness, chest pain, while iron overload can cause organ damage and toxicity in the body. The profile includes tests namely, Iron, Total iron binding capacity and % transferrin saturation to treat any underlying problems in time.
