Lever
Lifestyle
- Regular exercise
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
Blutwerte · Marker
Ferritin
Serum Ferritin · Eisenspeicher
Eisen & Anämie
- Einheit:
- ng/mL
Ferritin measures the amount of stored iron in the body.
Reference Ranges
Reference
8–300ng/mL
8
50
100
300
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Optimal
Unit · ng/mLReference ranges vary by sex; females typically have lower ranges.
Overview
Übersicht
Ferritin is a blood biomarker that reflects the body's iron storage status. It is a protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled fashion, playing a crucial role in iron homeostasis. Clinically, ferritin is used to assess iron deficiency and iron overload conditions. Low levels of ferritin are indicative of iron deficiency anemia, while elevated levels can suggest conditions such as hemochromatosis or chronic inflammation. In the context of athletic performance and biohacking, maintaining optimal ferritin levels is important for energy metabolism and oxygen transport, which are critical for endurance and recovery. However, researchers have observed that standard reference ranges may not accurately reflect optimal health, particularly in women, where a higher threshold may better indicate iron sufficiency. It is important to consider factors such as inflammation, liver disease, and recent exercise, which can confound ferritin levels, leading to potential misinterpretation of results. Time of day and fasting status typically do not significantly impact ferritin measurements, but it is advisable to follow consistent testing conditions for accurate monitoring.
Klinische Bedeutung
Elevated ferritin levels can indicate iron overload conditions such as hemochromatosis or inflammation. Reduced ferritin levels are typically indicative of iron deficiency anemia.
Dynamics
Trend Interpretation
Rising Values
Progressively rising ferritin levels may suggest iron overload or inflammation. Retesting in 4 weeks is recommended if levels are outside the optimal range.
Falling Values
Progressively falling ferritin levels may indicate worsening iron deficiency.
Re-test Interval
4 weeks if outside optimal range
Etiology
Causes — High & Low
Cause
Elevated Levels
- Hemochromatosis
- Chronic inflammation
- Liver disease
- Excessive iron supplementation
- Malignancy
Cause
Low Levels
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Chronic blood loss
- Poor dietary intake
- Malabsorption syndromes
- Pregnancy
Protocol
How to Optimize
Lever
Nutrition
- Consume iron-rich foods like red meat and leafy greens
- Include vitamin C-rich foods to enhance iron absorption
Lever
Supplementation
- Iron supplements
- Vitamin C
Note:
Consult a physician before starting iron supplementation, especially if iron overload conditions are suspected.
Testing Guidelines
✓Fasting Not Required
✓Not Time-Sensitive
Ferritin levels may vary throughout the day; morning testing is often preferred.
Testing Frequency
Annually for healthy adults, more frequently if managing iron deficiency or overload.
Interfering Factors
- Inflammation
- Liver disease
- Recent intense exercise
Related Peptides & Hormones
Hepcidin
hormone or peptideCorrelated with
Open Research Questions
Current research suggests that the reference ranges for ferritin, particularly the lower limit of normal, may not accurately reflect iron deficiency, especially in women, leading to underdiagnosis. Researchers have not yet established optimal ferritin cutoffs that consider physiological variations and confounders such as age and sex. Additionally, clinical questions remain unanswered regarding the predictive value of ferritin levels in guiding therapy for conditions like metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.
35 Research Publications
555
Total Citations
17
Human/RCT
2.4
Avg. Influence
2025
Latest
Sort
Filter
01Top
#01
Ferritin in atherosclerosis.
ReviewInfluence10.0
135
This study examined the association between ferritin levels and atherosclerosis, finding that elevated ferritin is linked to an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Researchers noted that while ferritin serves as an indicator of iron stores, its role in CAD requires further investigation to determine if it is a cause or consequence of the disease.
02Top
#02
Integrative clinical and preclinical studies identify FerroTerminator1 as a potent therapeutic drug for MASH.
AnimalInfluence2.0
99
This study explored the role of serum ferritin as a predictive biomarker for a new drug, FerroTerminator1, in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Researchers observed that excess hepatic iron correlates with disease progression in MASH. The findings support the potential of FOT1 as a therapeutic option for all stages of metabolic liver disease.
03Top
#03
Diabetes in HFE Hemochromatosis.
ReviewInfluence2.0
61
Researchers investigated the relationship between diabetes and HFE hemochromatosis, finding that increased diabetes risk is linked to factors such as iron overload and insulin resistance. They observed that serum ferritin levels reflect body iron stores but do not correlate with diabetes risk, suggesting that routine iron testing in diabetes patients may not be necessary.
04
#04
Evaluation of microcytosis.
Van Vranken Michele · American family physician · 2010
Human
51
This study focused on microcytosis, a condition often linked to iron deficiency anemia. Researchers emphasized that serum ferritin measurement is crucial for diagnosing iron deficiency and identifying potential underlying causes, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, which may require further evaluation.
Key findings
- 01Researchers found that low serum ferritin levels typically indicate iron deficiency.
- 02They observed that gastrointestinal bleeding is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia in adults.
- 03The study highlighted that elevated hemoglobin A2 levels can suggest beta-thalassemia trait.
05
#05
Sex, lies, and iron deficiency: a call to change ferritin reference ranges.
Martens Kylee & DeLoughery Thomas G · Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program · 2023
HumanInfluence1.0
51
Researchers found that the current reference ranges for serum ferritin may lead to underdiagnosis of iron deficiency in women, as many healthy women may have no marrow iron stores. The study suggests that the physiologic ferritin cutoff should be around 50 ng/mL, indicating a need for updated ferritin ranges to improve diagnosis of this common disorder.
Key findings
- 01Researchers found that 30%-50% of healthy women may have no iron stores despite normal ferritin levels.
- 02They observed that the current reference ranges for ferritin often lead to underdiagnosis of iron deficiency in women.
- 03The study suggests that a more accurate physiological ferritin cutoff should be around 50 ng/mL.
06
#06
Diagnosis and management of hereditary hemochromatosis.
ReviewInfluence1.0
38
This study reviewed hereditary hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder characterized by iron overload, and found that serum ferritin and transferrin saturation are key laboratory tests for diagnosis. Researchers noted that genetic testing can confirm the condition in patients with elevated iron indices, and phlebotomy is a common treatment to remove excess iron.
07
#07
Iron and iron-related proteins in alcohol consumers: cellular and clinical aspects.
Review
24
Researchers reviewed the impact of alcohol consumption on iron and iron-related proteins, noting that alcohol consumers often exhibit dysregulated iron levels. The study highlighted the importance of examining iron parameters for early diagnosis and management of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). Various alterations in iron-related laboratory values were documented.
08
#08
Hereditary Hyperferritinemia.
Review
20
Researchers highlighted that serum ferritin is a key biomarker for assessing iron storage but noted that its interpretation can be complicated by various factors such as inflammation and malignancy. They discussed the common occurrence of hyperferritinemia in clinical practice and emphasized the need for a diagnostic strategy to identify its causes.
09
#09
Ferritin in glioblastoma.
Human
19
Researchers found that glioblastoma patients exhibit elevated serum ferritin levels, which may be linked to tumor biology. The study suggests that glioma cells release ferritin, which can stimulate apoptosis, indicating a complex role of ferritin in tumor growth and highlighting the need for further research in this area.
10
#10
The origin of ferritin reference intervals: a systematic review.
Truong Judy, et al. · The Lancet. Haematology · 2024
Review
16
This study examined the reference intervals for serum ferritin in healthy adults and found that the lower limit of normal (LLN) is often set too low, potentially leading to underdiagnosis of iron deficiency. Researchers found that the median LLN for females was 8 μg/L and for males was 25 μg/L, which is below the clinically significant threshold of 30 μg/L. The study suggests the need for evidence-based clinical decision limits to improve iron deficiency diagnosis.
Key findings
- 01Researchers observed that the median lower limit of normal ferritin levels was significantly lower than the clinically accepted threshold of 30 μg/L.
- 02Nearly half of the studies reviewed did not screen for patients at risk of iron deficiency, potentially skewing results.
- 03The reference intervals reported in the literature are at high risk of bias due to methodological flaws in the studies.
Publication Trend
Research publications about Ferritin over time
8totalTrack your bloodwork in PepStack
Log lab results, track trends and optimize your biomarkers over time.
Legal Disclaimer
This page is for informational and research purposes only. All information is based on published scientific literature and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Many substances listed may not be approved for human use and may be subject to drug regulation laws (e.g., AMG in Germany, FDA in the US). PepStack does not encourage the use of any substance on humans. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. Use of this information is entirely at your own risk. PepStack assumes no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content provided. Full disclaimer