Ferritin

Ferritin levels often differ between women and men, as men generally have larger iron stores. Normal values ​​for ferritin are usually between:

• Women: 15–150 µg/L
• Men: 30–300 µg/L

In women, ferritin can be lower due to menstruation, pregnancy and breastfeeding, which increases the risk of iron deficiency. Men usually have higher ferritin levels because they do not have the same natural iron losses.

A ferritin test is therefore particularly important for women of childbearing age, pregnant women and people with symptoms of iron deficiency. At the same time, it is important for men to check for possible iron overload, especially if a condition such as hemochromatosis is suspected.

Common symptoms of low ferritin (iron deficiency) include fatigue, dizziness, pale skin, palpitations, shortness of breath, headaches, and decreased physical performance. Iron deficiency can also affect hair growth and the immune system.

Elevated ferritin may indicate iron overload, but can also be seen in infections, inflammation, liver disease or certain chronic diseases. It is important to interpret high values ​​in conjunction with other blood tests, such as CRP and liver tests.

You will normally receive your results within 1–3 business days after sampling.

In the case of low ferritin, an iron-rich diet is recommended, such as meat, liver, green leafy vegetables and legumes. Iron supplements may be needed, but should be taken after consultation, especially if the cause of the deficiency is not clear. Follow-up is usually done after a few months.

Yes, it is common for ferritin to drop before blood counts are affected. This is called early iron deficiency and can cause symptoms even if hemoglobin is still within reference. Therefore, ferritin is a sensitive measure for detecting iron deficiency at an early stage.

Ferritin also functions as an acute phase protein, which means that levels can rise during inflammation, infection or chronic diseases – even if iron stores are actually low. This can mask an underlying iron deficiency.

If inflammation is suspected, it is therefore important to also measure CRP or other inflammation markers at the same time, in order to interpret the ferritin value correctly. A normal or high ferritin does not always rule out iron deficiency if there is ongoing inflammation in the body.

A low ferritin level means that the body's iron stores are depleted, which often leads to iron deficiency. If this is not addressed, it can develop into iron deficiency anemia, a form of anemia in which the body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to symptoms such as extreme fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, headaches and a weakened immune system.

Low ferritin is not dangerous in itself, but it is a clear signal that the body does not have enough iron. If the deficiency is prolonged and untreated, it can affect the heart and muscles, and lead to a reduced quality of life. It is therefore important to investigate the cause and start treatment in time, especially for women with heavy menstruation, pregnant women or people with a one-sided diet.

In the case of severely low ferritin levels, iron supplements or in some cases iron injections may be necessary. Regular follow-up ensures that iron levels are safely restored.

High ferritin levels can sometimes be seen in cancer, but it is important to understand that elevated ferritin is a nonspecific marker and is more often due to inflammation, infection or liver disease than cancer.

In some types of cancer, ferritin may rise, especially in:

• Leukemia (blood cancer)
• Lymphoma (lymph node cancer)
• Liver cancer or spread to the liver
• Hodgkin's lymphoma

Ferritin may also be elevated in other chronic diseases, which do not necessarily mean cancer.

Elevated ferritin is not used as a diagnostic test for cancer. If ferritin is high without an obvious cause, additional tests are often performed, such as liver tests, inflammation markers (CRP), and sometimes further tests depending on symptoms. A high ferritin value alone is rarely a cause for concern, but should be assessed in its context.

Ferritin is primarily a marker of the body's iron stores and also functions as an acute phase protein in inflammation. High ferritin levels in the blood are not in themselves a sign of iron toxicity, but must be assessed together with other tests such as serum iron and transferrin saturation.

In cases of true iron overload or iron toxicity, such as in genetic hemochromatosis or acute iron overdose, ferritin can rise sharply. Medically, the following limits are considered indicative:

• Mild to moderate toxicity: Ferritin approximately 350–500 µg/L
• Hepatotoxicity (liver damage): Often at ferritin > 500 µg/L
• Severe toxicity: Ferritin > 800 µg/L, in combination with elevated serum iron levels

It is important to note that high ferritin levels do not always indicate toxicity, as ferritin can be elevated in e.g. inflammation, infection or liver disease without iron poisoning. Diagnosis of iron poisoning is based on a comprehensive assessment with complementary tests.