what is normal ferritin level

What should ferritin levels be?

The normal range for blood ferritin is: For men, 24 to 336 micrograms per liter. For women, 11 to 307 micrograms per liter.

What level of ferritin is considered anemic?

If symptoms are in accordance with iron deficiency, the patient should be considered iron deficient at least up to a serum ferritin concentration of 100 μg/L, or even much higher, if the patient has an inflammatory condition, kidney disease or fatty liver 2, 3.

What is a low ferritin level for a woman?

The range of normal ferritin in most laboratories is 30 ng/mL to 300 ng/mL, and the mean is 49 ng/mL in women. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey describes iron deficiency in women as a low concentration of ferritin (<12 ng/mL). Diagnosis prompts consideration of the cause of IDA (usually, bleeding).

Is 32 a good ferritin level?

Results are given in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). The normal range for ferritin in your blood serum is: 20 to 250 ng/mL for adult males. 10 to 120 ng/mL for adult females, 18 to 39 years.

Is ferritin a tumor marker?

Ferritin: a tumor marker expressed by renal cell carcinoma.

Does low ferritin cause weight gain?

Iron deficiency won't cause you to pack on pounds, but it can affect your energy and stamina. As a result, you might find it difficult to stay active and stick to your workouts. If you have iron deficiency anemia, you may gain weight during treatment.

Is 35 a good ferritin level?

The normal range for ferritin is usually between 30 and 300 ng/mL, but Dr. Friedman recommends iron treatment for everyone with a ferritin less than 60 ng/mL.

How serious is low ferritin?

A result of low ferritin is strong evidence of an iron deficiency. The body requires iron to make hemoglobin, which is a protein in red blood cells that transfers oxygen from the lungs around the body. Without enough iron, a person may develop anemia.

What cancers cause low ferritin levels?

In a study published in July 2013 in the Annals of Oncology, iron deficiency was most commonly seen in people with pancreatic cancer (present in 63 percent of participants), followed by colorectal cancer (52 percent) and lung cancer (51 percent).

Is a ferritin level of 50 low?

Background: The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) suggests that a serum ferritin level

Is a ferritin level of 36 low?

The normal range for ferritin is usually between 30 and 300 ng/mL, but Dr. Friedman recommends iron treatment for everyone with a ferritin less than 60 ng/mL.

Is 7 a low iron level?

A normal hemoglobin level is 11 to 18 grams per deciliter (g/dL), depending on your age and gender. But 7 to 8 g/dL is a safe level.

Is 12.5 a low iron level?

The normal range for men is 13.5 to 17.5g/dL. For women, the normal range is 12.0 to 15.5g/dL. African American men and women will have a normal range that varies by 0.7g/dL at the low end of the range. Does the Red Cross check my iron level before donating?

What is the normal ferritin level for women?

In women, there are big differences in the ferritin normal range before and after menopause. Women on menopause has a normal range with a limit of 250 ng/ml. Women before menopause in contrast, has a normal range limit of about 150 ng/ml. Children under one year old may have a ferritin level of 500 ng/ml in the normal range.

Where is ferritin found in the body?

Ferritin plays a key role in the production of red blood cells. Ferritin can be found mainly in the liver and in small amounts in the bone marrow, spleen and muscles. A small amount is present in the blood. Although the ferritin in the blood is found in low concentration is a good estimation to determine the total iron stored in the body.

What is the role of ferritin in the body?

For that reason, the storage of iron is made through the proteins ferritin and hemosiderin. The ferritin level is an excellent way to know the body’s iron stores. Ferritin plays a key role in the production of red blood cells.

Why is ferritin blood test performed?

The ferritin blood test is performed along other blood assays to study a possible anemia. If anemia is present, the red blood cell formation will be compromised.

What is the function of ferritin in the body?

Found in skeletal muscles, bone marrow, spleen, and the liver, ferritin is a protein that naturally binds to iron and is present in the blood in a very small amount. A test to find out the amount of ferritin in your blood gives an indication of how much iron you have stored in your body. Red blood cells need iron to deliver oxygen to cells. In the absence of enough iron, red blood cells fail to supply enough oxygen and you will feel tired and lethargic. However, it is also bad to have too much of iron in your body, and that is why having a level within ferritin normal range is essential, as this indicates the right balance of iron in your body.

How is ferritin test performed?

How Is This Test Performed? A lab assistant will draw a small amount of blood to perform the ferritin test. He/shethen applies a band around your arm to make your veins pop a bit. Then, the assistant inserts a needle and draws out a small amount of blood for testing.

How to increase iron absorption?

For this, you need to increase your vitamin C intake. Vitamin C can improve absorption of nonheme iron and help you increase your ferritin levels by eating vegetables.

What foods help with iron absorption?

Drinking tomato or orange juice will also make a difference. Mixing heme-containing meat and nonheme vegetables will also improve iron absorption in the body.

How much iron is in broccoli?

You will get 1mg of iron from half cup of broccoli and half cup of cooked spinach. Add an ounce of pumpkin seed to the mix to get an additional 4mg of iron. Half cup of raisins or ted dried apricots provide you about 2mg of iron, whereas one-half cup of lentils, cooked beans, or soybeans offer 2-4mg of iron.

What to do if your ferritin levels are low?

If your ferritin levels are lower than normal, you can try certain remedies for it. For instance: Eat lean meat: What you eat contains two types of iron – heme and nonheme. Increase your intake of heme iron to boost ferritin quickly. It is found in poultry, meat, and fish. Some impressive sources of iron are oysters, liver, and clams.

Why does ferritin go up?

It is worth mentioning that your ferritin levels will go up when your body experiences inflammation. That is why people with liver disease or any type of cancer may have their ferritin levels on the higher side.

What is the normal ferritin level?

Normal ferritin levels. Results will be given in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood and can vary slightly from one laboratory to another. According to some sources, the normal ranges for ferritin in the blood are as follows: Group. ng/mL.

How much blood do you need to remove ferritin?

At first, the person may require the removal of around 500 ml of blood weekly. Trusted Source. until their ferritin levels return to normal.

What is ferritin blood test?

A ferritin blood test is a simple blood test to measure the levels of ferritin in a person’s body. It is a very safe procedure that does not usually require any special preparations.

How long does it take for a ferritin blood test to come back?

After a doctor takes the blood sample, they will send it to a laboratory for testing. Once the laboratory technicians analyze the blood, they will typically send the results back within a few days of the test. Ferritin blood test results may come back as normal, low, or high. The following sections discuss what these results mean.

Why do doctors check for ferritin?

Doctors use ferritin blood tests to check the levels of iron in a person’s blood and help diagnose many health conditions. These conditions include: People who have one of these conditions may require regular ferritin blood tests to monitor their health.

How long after iron supplement can you drink coffee?

They should avoid antacids, calcium supplements, and tea or coffee within 2 hours of an iron supplement. Typically, people will require follow-up blood tests to check that their ferritin levels and iron levels have returned to normal.

What is the condition where there is too much iron in the body?

hemochromatosis, a condition wherein there is too much iron in the body. restless legs syndrome. People who have one of these conditions may require regular ferritin blood tests to monitor their health. A doctor may also order other blood tests to discover more about a person’s iron stores. They may test for:

What is ferritin in the body?

What is ferritin? Ferritin is the major iron storage protein of the body. Ferritin levels can be used to indirectly measure how much iron is in the body. Ferritin has the shape of a hollow sphere that permits the entry of a variable amount of iron for storage (as ferric hydroxide phosphate complexes).

What does ferritin test mean?

Share Your Story. The ferritin test measures the level of ferritin, the major iron storage protein in the body. The ferritin test is a simple blood test. High levels of ferritin can indicate an iron storage disorder, such as hemochromatosis, or a chronic disease process. Low levels of ferritin are indicative of iron deficiency, ...

What is the cause of high ferritin levels?

Share Your Story. Higher-than-normal levels of ferritin can be indicative of an iron storage disorder such as hemochromatosis. Hereditary hemochromatosis is an inherited (genetic) disorder in which there is excessive accumulation of iron in the body ( iron overload ). In individuals with hereditary hemochromatosis, ...

How much iron does hemochromatosis produce?

Since the normal body cannot increase iron excretion, the absorbed iron accumulates in the body. A man with hemochromatosis can accumulate 20 grams of total body iron by age 40 to 50 (the normal iron content for the body is 3 to 4 grams).

Why do women with hemochromatosis accumulate iron at a slower rate than men?

Women with hemochromatosis accumulate iron at a slower rate than men because they lose more iron than men due to iron loss from menstruation.

What is the condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglob

Anemia: Symptoms, Treatment and Causes. Anemia is the condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. The oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is, therefore, decreased.

How long does cirrhosis last?

Symptoms include yellowing of the skin (jaundice), itching, and fatigue. The prognosis is good for some people with cirrhosis of the liver, and the survival can be up to 12 years; however the life expectancy is about 6 months to 2 years for people with severe cirrhosis with major complications.

What is ferritin test?

A ferritin test measures the amount of a blood protein called ferritin, which stores iron. Think of your body as a kitchen pantry. Most of it is stocked with food you use every day. But you keep some items in there long-term -- an extra box of pasta or can of beans to have on hand when supplies get low. Your body stores iron the same way.

How long does it take to get a ferritin test?

A ferritin test should only take a few minutes. Remember to look away if the sight of blood or a needle makes you dizzy or nauseated. After cleaning the skin around it, a technician will insert a needle into a vein in your arm. They may wrap an elastic band around the upper part of your arm to make the vein easier to find.

Why do doctors order ferritin tests?

Doctors order a ferritin test if other blood tests point to possible anemia, which can lead to a lack of oxygen in your blood. It can show if there is too much or too little iron in your body. Doctors can also use it to diagnose restless legs syndrome and Still's disease in adults (a rare type of arthritis with fever and rash ).

Why is my ferritin level low?

Causes of Low Ferritin Blood Levels. If your results are lower than normal, you might have iron deficiency and possibly anemia. Your doctor may prescribe iron supplements or order more blood tests to figure out the cause. Causes of High Ferritin Blood Levels. Higher than normal results mean your body is storing too much iron.

How does the body store iron?

But it also keeps some iron on hand for times when you aren’t getting enough from the food you eat. The iron is stored in a protein called ferritin . To see how much is in your body, your doctor might order a ferritin blood test.

Can low iron levels cause heart failure?

If left unchecked, low levels of iron can cause heart failure (when your heart doesn’t pump blood to your body as well as it should). It can also cause these symptoms: A ferritin blood test can also help your doctor figure out whether your body is storing too much iron.

Is ferritin blood test safe?

They’ll label the blood and send it to a lab. Ferritin Blood Test Risks. Like other routine blood tests, the ferritin test is considered safe. You may feel the following:

What does it mean when your ferritin levels are high?

If your ferritin levels are high it indicates that your body is absorbing too much of iron. The condition is known as hemochromatosis. It can also indicate liver disease. Ferritin is stored in the liver cells. If the liver is damaged, ferritin leaks out and can result in higher ferritin levels in the blood. A high ferritin level can indicate ...

Where is ferritin found?

It can be described as a reservoir for iron and releases it whenever our body needs it. Ferritin is found in abundance in the liver cells or hepatocytes.

What is the function of ferritin in the body?

Transferrin carries ferritin to replenish the iron to form new red blood cells. The body needs to have a normal store of ferritin that will be used by the body from time to time.

What blood test is used to measure iron levels?

Depending on your test results, your doctor may order some other blood tests to measure the amount of iron in your bloodstream. – TIBC test to measure the amount of transferrin in your blood. – CBC or complete blood count test. – Serum iron level test. – Test to determine the level of hemoglobin and hematocrit in the blood.

What does ferritin mean in blood work?

A ferritin test is a blood test that helps your doctor to measure the amount of the protein ferritin present in your blood. The test helps your doctor to understand whether your ferritin levels are low or normal. If the levels are low, it indicates iron deficiency or other diseases. Higher than the normal levels can also indicate some very serious ...

Why is ferritin high?

High levels of ferritin can also be caused by multiple blood transfusions, alcohol abuse, and obesity. For elevated ferritin levels, your doctor may prescribe other blood iron tests or a TIBC (total iron-binding capacity) test that measures the amount of transferrin in your blood. High ferritin levels require continuous treatment, ...

What are the symptoms of low ferritin levels?

Symptoms for low ferritin levels are: – Iron deficiency or anemia. – Pale skin. – Weakness in the body . – Shortness of breath. – Increased palpitation.

What are the effects of iron on the body?

Elevated ferritin has been linked with a number of physiologic processes, the most notable inflammation. Clinical studies that aim to reduce ferritin levels have documented improvement in outcomes. This reinforces the idea that iron may be a causal factor in various disease processes, based on the following: 1 Iron is highly reactive and can produce oxidative stress, damaging DNA, organs, and vasculature. 2 High levels of iron are associated with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, aging and neurologic disease, and even some cancers. 3 Iron levels gradually increase if in dietary (or supplemental) excess, as humans do not have regulatory mechanisms – other than blood loss – to rid of excess iron.

What are the diseases that are associated with high iron levels?

High levels of iron are associated with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, aging and neurologic disease, and even some cancers.

Is iron deficiency anemia common in premenopausal women?

While iron deficiency anemia is a concern worldwide, it is most common in children, premenopausal women, and those who are pregnant and lactating. I urge patients to be cautious with iron supplements, especially men and post-menopausal women.

Is ferritin a reference range?

Optimal ferritin levels and reference ranges are not currently well defined, but what are considered “normal levels” may actually be too high, and some researchers are advocating for a change in what is considered normal.

Can you take iron with low ferritin?

For those with low ferritin levels, ask your physician to check iron levels, as only those with documented iron deficiency and anemia should take iron, and then just to sufficient, but not high, levels of iron. For those with high ferritin levels look for an underlying cause, have your iron levels checked, and consider blood donation ...

Is iron a causal factor?

This reinforces the idea that iron may be a causal factor in various disease processes, based on the following: Iron is highly reactive and can produce oxidative stress, damaging DNA, organs, and vasculature. High levels of iron are associated with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, ...

Is ferritin a biomarker?

Ferritin is a large protein molecule, and while its role is complex and still unclear, ferritin is generally considered a surrogate marker for total iron storage in the body and often acts as a biomarker of health.

What is the optimal result of ferritin?

Ferritin (female range) Optimal Result: 13 - 150 ng/mL. Our bodies rely on iron in red blood cells to carry oxygen everywhere. Without enough iron, our red blood cells are unable to efficiently supply oxygen. Ferritin is a blood cell protein that holds iron and releases it in controlled intervals. It is produced by every cell in ...

Why is ferritin high?

High ferritin levels may also be caused by Hodgkin’s disease, leukemia, infection, inflammatory conditions (such as arthritis or lupus), or a diet that is too high in iron. Symptoms of iron overload may include: - Joint pain. - Fatigue / weakness.

What does low ferritin mean?

Low ferritin levels often mean an iron deficiency is present. This can be caused by chronic blood loss from heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, insufficient iron in the body, or bleeding in the intestinal tract (from ulcers, colon polyps, colon cancer, or hemorrhoids).

What is ferritin blood test?

A ferritin blood test checks the amount of ferritin in the blood, which shows how much iron is stored in your body. A healthcare professional might order a ferritin blood test to: - Check if iron treatment to raise or lower the iron level is working.

How to treat low ferritin levels?

For the best results, people should take oral iron supplements with a source of vitamin C to increase iron absorption.

Does hemochromatosis increase iron?

Since the normal body cannot increase iron excretion, the absorbed iron accumulates in the body.

Does ferritin return to normal after iron supplementation?

If ferritin and blood iron levels do not return to normal following iron supplementation, a doctor may carry out additional testing to determine the cause of the deficiency and treat it accordingly. For further research on how Ferritin relates to the other markers in an iron panel, please refer to this post: