Iron
supplementA mineral supplement for iron deficiency, best taken after a ferritin or blood test confirms a need.
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Lab test
What is a ferritin test, and what are normal ferritin levels?
A ferritin test measures ferritin, the protein that stores iron, so it reflects how much iron the body has in reserve. It is ordered to check for iron deficiency or iron overload. ARUP Laboratories lists 30 to 400 ng/mL for men aged 20 to 59 and 13 to 150 ng/mL for women aged 17 to 59; labs differ.
What does the ferritin test measure?
Ferritin is a protein that binds to iron and stores it in the body, so a ferritin blood test shows how much iron is held in reserve. MedlinePlus
Low ferritin can appear when iron stores run low, before the serum iron level itself changes. Ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant, which means it rises with inflammation. Labcorp
Why is the ferritin test ordered?
- To help diagnose or rule out iron deficiency anemia or hemochromatosis (iron overload). MedlinePlus
- To check iron stores in people at higher risk of deficiency, including pregnancy and heavy menstrual bleeding. MedlinePlus
- When other results, such as hemoglobin or hematocrit, are low, or when there are symptoms such as fatigue, weakness or shortness of breath. MedlinePlus
- To monitor chronic conditions that affect iron, such as kidney disease. MedlinePlus
What are typical ferritin ranges?
ARUP Laboratories publishes age and sex specific ferritin intervals. The adult rows are below. ARUP Laboratories
Reference ranges differ between laboratories and testing methods, and many also differ by age, sex, pregnancy or the phase of the menstrual cycle. The range printed on your own report is the one that applies to your result, and a clinician interprets it alongside your history.
| Group | Reference interval |
|---|---|
| Men, 20 to 59 years | 30 to 400 ng/mL |
| Men, 60 years and older | 31 to 409 ng/mL |
| Women, 17 to 59 years | 13 to 150 ng/mL |
| Women, 60 years and older | 11 to 328 ng/mL |
Labcorp uses a threshold of 30 ng/mL in adults and adolescents to identify iron deficiency, and notes that values between 30 and 50 ng/mL may or may not represent iron deficiency. Labcorp
What can affect ferritin results?
- Inflammation, autoimmune disorders, liver disease, cancer, obesity, alcohol use disorder and hyperthyroidism can raise ferritin. MedlinePlus
- Some medicines can lower or raise ferritin levels. MedlinePlus
- Infection or inflammation can push ferritin into the normal range even when iron stores are low. Labcorp
- You may be asked to fast for 12 hours, and the test is usually done in the morning. MedlinePlus
- Biotin, often found in hair, skin and nail supplements, can interfere with some lab tests and cause incorrect results. Tell the person ordering the test if you take it. FDA
When should you talk to a clinician about a ferritin result?
- Discuss a result outside the printed range with the clinician who ordered it; ferritin is usually read together with iron, TIBC and a CBC. MedlinePlus
- Symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat or pale skin are worth raising with a clinician whatever a home test shows. MedlinePlus
DiscoverMedica explains what a test measures and what named sources publish. It does not interpret individual results; the clinician who ordered your test, or one you choose, does.
Where can you get a ferritin test?
A clinician can order it as part of routine or follow-up care. Some services also let you order lab tests yourself; check that a service’s panel includes this marker, which laboratory runs it, and who reviews the result with you.
- Function HealthAnnual membership for broad lab panels, drawn at Quest sites or at home.
- Quest HealthOrder individual lab tests from Quest Diagnostics online, without a doctor’s visit.
Ferritin Test: questions, answered
What is a normal ferritin level?
It depends on the laboratory, age and sex. ARUP Laboratories lists 30 to 400 ng/mL for men aged 20 to 59 and 13 to 150 ng/mL for women aged 17 to 59. Labcorp uses 30 ng/mL as its adult threshold for iron deficiency. Your report prints the range your lab uses, and a clinician reads it alongside other iron tests.
Can ferritin be high without iron overload?
Yes. Ferritin rises with inflammation, and MedlinePlus lists liver disease, autoimmune disorders, obesity, alcohol use disorder, cancer and hyperthyroidism as other causes of higher ferritin. Labcorp notes that fatty liver may be the most common cause of an elevated ferritin. A clinician usually checks iron and TIBC before deciding what a high value reflects.
Do I need to fast for a ferritin test?
Sometimes. MedlinePlus says your provider may ask you to fast for 12 hours and that the test is usually done in the morning. Ask whoever orders the test, because instructions differ when ferritin is drawn alone or with other iron tests in a panel.
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Ferritin Blood Test
- ARUP Laboratories: Ferritin (test 0070065)
- Labcorp: Ferritin (test 004598)
- MedlinePlus: Iron Tests
- FDA: Biotin Interference with Lab Tests
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Every source above was checked on or before that date. Educational information only, not medical advice; it does not replace a conversation with a licensed clinician. DiscoverMedica does not employ clinicians.
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