Ferritin

Understanding the marker

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. Its blood level helps assess iron stores, which can become low before haemoglobin falls. Inflammation can raise ferritin and complicate interpretation.

Ferritin is a useful indicator of iron stores. Low ferritin supports iron deficiency, including before anaemia develops. Inflammation and liver disease can raise ferritin, so a normal or high result may need interpretation with transferrin saturation and clinical findings. The cause of confirmed deficiency should be assessed.

What does high Ferritin mean?

High ferritin does not by itself establish excess iron. It is assessed with transferrin saturation, inflammation markers, liver results and health history. A persistent elevation needs evaluation of the cause.

What does low Ferritin mean?

Low ferritin supports depleted iron stores. Symptoms may occur but are not specific, and some people have no symptoms. The cause of iron deficiency should be assessed.