Ferritin

Introduction

Ferritin is the body’s main protein for storing iron, making it an essential indicator of total iron reserves. In clinical practice, measuring ferritin can reveal both deficiency and overload, guiding timely interventions to optimize health.

What Is Ferritin?

Ferritin is a soluble protein complex that safely stores iron within cells. The liver, spleen, and bone marrow contain the greatest stores, while small amounts circulate in the bloodstream and can be measured via Ferritin assays.

Clinical Significance of Ferritin

Ferritin levels reflect overall iron status and fall into two categories:

Low Ferritin

• Iron deficiency anemia: Characterized by reduced hemoglobin, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), leading to fatigue, pallor, and weakness. Linked to Anemia.
  
• Hypoferritinemia without anemia (HWA): May present with hair loss, depression, and persistent fatigue despite normal red blood cell indices.
  
  

High Ferritin

• Iron overload: Conditions such as hemochromatosis and hemosiderosis cause excessive iron accumulation, risking organ damage—particularly in the liver. See Iron Overload.
  
• Cardiovascular risk: Elevated ferritin correlates with higher rates of ischemic heart disease. See Cardiovascular Function.
  
• Inflammation and liver dysfunction: As an acute-phase reactant, ferritin rises in response to Inflammation or Liver Dysfunction, even when serum iron is normal.
  
  

Optimal Ferritin Ranges

• Standard: 16–232 ng/mL (16–232 µg/L)
  
• Optimal: 45–79 ng/mL (45–79 µg/L)
  
  • 80–160 ng/mL may indicate mild overload
    
  • 200 ng/mL suggests significant overload or inflammation
    
    

Factors Affecting Ferritin Levels

• Low ferritin: Severe protein malnutrition, chronic blood loss, hemodialysis, bariatric surgery
  
• High ferritin: Repeated transfusions, megaloblastic/B12/folate deficiency anemia, chronic hepatitis, chronic renal disease
  
  

Drug Associations

• Lower ferritin: Antacids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
  
• Raise ferritin: Excess iron supplements, estrogen therapy
  
  

Key Laboratory Correlates

In iron overload, labs often show elevated serum iron, Ferritin, % Transferrin Saturation, and reduced TIBC.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a comprehensive evaluation by a functional medicine practitioner in Florida facilitates identification of cellular-level and molecular imbalances driving iron-related disorders. By integrating evidence-based allopathic therapies with medical weight loss medical care services—where metabolic health is often impacted—we offer a preventive framework to rebuild resilience and optimize wellness. Call (904) 799-2531 or schedule online to request your personalized iron assessment.

Further Reading

1. Knovich MA, Storey JA, Coffman LG, Torti FM. Ferritin for the clinician. Blood Rev. 2009 May;23(3):95–104. PubMed
   
2. Camaschella C. Iron deficiency. Blood. 2019 Jan 3;133(1):30–39. PubMed
   
3. Pietrangelo A. Hereditary hemochromatosis—a new look at an old disease. N Engl J Med. 2004 Jun 3;350(23):2383–97. PubMed
4. Camaschella C. Iron-deficiency anemia. N Engl J Med. 2015 May 7;372(19):1832–43. PubMed