Ferritin Levels Explained: Normal Range & How to Raise Low Ferritin
Also known as: Serum ferritin, iron stores, ferritin blood test
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron, so a ferritin blood test is the best single measure of your body's iron reserves. It's used to diagnose iron deficiency and iron overload. A normal ferritin is roughly 30–300 ng/mL for men and 15–200 ng/mL for women; low ferritin means depleted iron stores, while very high ferritin can reflect inflammation or iron overload.
Ferritin normal range
| Category | Range (ng/mL) |
|---|---|
| Normal (men) | 30–300 ng/mL |
| Normal (women) | 15–200 ng/mL |
| Iron deficiency likely | < 30 ng/mLUnder 15 is definitive |
| High | > 300 (men) / 200 (women)Inflammation or iron overload |
Reference ranges vary by laboratory. Use the range printed on your own report as the definitive comparison.
What high Ferritin can mean
- Inflammation or infection (ferritin rises as an acute-phase protein)
- Iron overload / hemochromatosis
- Liver disease
- Frequent transfusions or iron supplementation
What low Ferritin can mean
- Iron deficiency (the most common cause)
- Blood loss, including heavy menstrual periods
- Poor dietary iron intake or absorption
- Pregnancy (increased demand)
What to do about an abnormal result
- To raise low ferritin: eat iron-rich foods (red meat, lentils, spinach), pair plant iron with vitamin C, and ask your doctor about iron supplements.
- Iron supplements can take 2–3 months to rebuild ferritin stores — recheck levels rather than stopping early.
- High ferritin should be interpreted with other iron studies, since inflammation can raise it independently of iron.
Understand your own results
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Frequently asked questions
How do I raise low ferritin levels?
Increase dietary iron (red meat, poultry, lentils, beans, fortified cereals), pair plant-based iron with vitamin C to boost absorption, and ask your doctor whether an oral iron supplement is appropriate. Rebuilding stores typically takes 2–3 months, so ferritin is rechecked rather than assumed corrected.
What is a dangerously low ferritin level?
A ferritin below 15 ng/mL confirms depleted iron stores, and levels in the single digits often cause symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, and shortness of breath. Any low ferritin should be discussed with your doctor to find and treat the cause.
Can ferritin be high without iron overload?
Yes. Ferritin is an 'acute-phase' protein that rises with inflammation, infection, or liver disease, so a high value doesn't always mean too much iron. That's why doctors interpret it alongside other iron studies like transferrin saturation.
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Medically reviewed by Antonieta Rueda, MD and Ayham Shneker, MD · Last reviewed July 6, 2026
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your lab results.