Low Ferritin & Ferritin Levels: Normal Range, Chart and High Ferritin
Ferritin is the protein that stores iron, and a ferritin blood test is the best single check of your iron stores. Below 15 ng/mL usually means stores are used up. Below 30 counts as low stores in UK (BSG 2021) and US (ASH 2026) guidance, even when your lab range starts lower. Inflammation pushes ferritin up, so a normal result can hide low iron, and most high ferritin isn’t iron overload.
Units: ng/mL (US) and µg/L (UK) give the same number, so 20 ng/mL is 20 µg/L. mcg/L is the same as µg/L.
Where does my ferritin sit?
Type the number from your report and choose your group. Everything is worked out on your device, and nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Have a full iron panel? See iron studies explained for serum iron, TIBC and transferrin saturation.
Ferritin levels chart
Ferritin runs from single digits to thousands, so the chart uses a log scale. The rows show guideline cut-offs and real lab ranges.
Sources: WHO, BSG, ASH, AGA, ACG, EASL and BSH guidelines; Labcorp; Exeter Clinical Laboratory.
| Ferritin (ng/mL = µg/L) | How it’s usually described | What it often points to |
|---|---|---|
| Below 15 | Very low | Iron stores used up |
| 15 to 29 | Low iron stores | Iron deficiency by BSG 2021 and ASH 2026, even if your lab doesn’t flag it |
| 30 to 99 | Low-normal | Usually enough iron, unless you have inflammation, or symptoms and risk factors |
| 100 to 200* | Usual range | Iron stores usually adequate |
| Above 200* up to 500 | Raised | Usually inflammation, liver disease, alcohol or metabolic causes |
| Above 500 | Very high | Needs further tests, especially if you’re unwell (WHO 2020) |
*200 for women before menopause, 300 for men and women after menopause (ACG 2019). ASH 2026 counts 30 itself as deficient (“30 or lower”). BSG 2021 uses “less than 30”.
Normal ferritin levels for women and men
There’s no single normal range. Adult ranges from five labs, in ng/mL (= µg/L):
| Lab | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Labcorp (US), 2026 | 30–150 at 20–40, rising with age (30–365 at 65–80) | 30–400 |
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (US) | 6–175 (18–50); 11–328 (51+) | 31–409 |
| Exeter Clinical Laboratory (NHS) | 13–150 | 30–400 |
| Royal Stoke, UHNM (NHS) | 15–200 (18–54); 15–300 (55+) | 15–300 |
| University Hospitals Birmingham (NHS) | 20–235 | 22–501 |
Why do so many ranges start below 30? Labs usually set “normal” as the middle 95% of a reference group, which misses conditions that affect more than 2.5% of people (ASH 2026). Iron deficiency is common in women, so their lower limits fall low. A 2024 review found the female lower limit had a median of 8 µg/L, and about half the studies didn’t explicitly screen out people at risk of iron deficiency (Truong 2024). So a ferritin of 22 with no flag still counts as low iron stores.
What ferritin actually tells you
Think of ferritin as the stock count in your iron warehouse. Spare iron is locked inside ferritin, and the small amount in your blood tracks how full the store is. The WHO calls it “a good marker of iron stores” (WHO 2020).
The store empties before hemoglobin (haemoglobin in UK spelling) falls, so you can be iron deficient without anemia (BSG 2021).
Ferritin is also an acute-phase protein. Inflammation, infection and liver damage push it up whatever your stores (Labcorp; EASL 2022). A low ferritin is a reliable clue. A normal or high one needs two companions:
- CRP shows inflammation. WHO uses a CRP above 5 mg/L to mark it.
- Transferrin saturation (TSAT) shows iron in transit. Under 20% points to a shortage of usable iron (BSG 2021). 45% or more with a raised ferritin prompts a look for iron overload (ACG 2019).
What your ferritin number means
Each band is a case file: clues, usual suspects, the next lead and questions to ask.
Ferritin below 15 ng/mL (15 µg/L)
Iron stores are used up. UK guidance calls this “absent iron stores” (BSG 2021), and the WHO uses below 15 to define iron deficiency from age 5 (WHO 2020). Inflammation pushes ferritin up, not down, so a result this low is reliable.
- Tiredness, breathlessness, palpitations, pale skin or headaches (NHS)
- Sometimes hair loss, restless legs or craving ice (NHS)
- Hemoglobin low, or still normal
- Heavy periods or pregnancy (NHS)
- Bleeding from the stomach or bowel (NHS)
- Too little iron in the diet
- Celiac disease (coeliac in the UK)
- Frequent blood donation
A full blood count, then the cause. With iron deficiency anemia: a celiac blood test, a urine test, and gut scopes for men and women after menopause (BSG 2021; AGA 2020).
Replace iron while the cause is found. Your doctor will advise the type and dose.
Ask: What’s causing this? Is my hemoglobin low? Do I need tests for bleeding or celiac disease?
Ferritin between 15 and 29 ng/mL (µg/L)
UK guidance says below 30 is “generally indicative of low body iron stores” (BSG 2021). ASH 2026 uses 30 or less for adults, including menstruating and pregnant people, instead of the old 15. Many women’s lab ranges start at 6–20, so your report may not flag it.
- Hemoglobin often normal
- No flag on your report
- Heavy periods
- Pregnancy, now or recently
- Blood donation: about 250 mg of iron per whole-blood donation (Lifeblood)
- Too little iron in the diet
A full blood count. With normal hemoglobin, BSG 2021 doesn’t advise routine scopes, but says to investigate readily in men and women after menopause.
Iron deficiency by ASH 2026 and BSG 2021. NHS Highland: “less than 30 microgram/L indicates iron depletion”.
Ask: Is this iron deficiency even if my lab says normal? Should I take iron? When should we recheck?
Ferritin between 30 and 99 ng/mL (µg/L)
Without inflammation, iron stores are usually adequate. Two things change that, and this is where guidance differs most:
- Inflammation (a raised CRP, a recent infection, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease or cancer) can hide low iron behind a normal ferritin. ASH 2026 considers iron deficiency when ferritin is under 100 or TSAT is under 20%. WHO 2020 uses under 70 in adults. BSG 2021 says up to 100 “may still reflect iron deficiency”.
- Symptoms or risk factors such as heavy periods: ASH 2026 uses 50 or less. With anemia, the AGA (2020) uses under 45, a cut-off BSG 2021 also mentions.
- CRP above 5 mg/L
- TSAT under 20%
- Low hemoglobin or typical symptoms
CRP, iron studies with TSAT, and a full blood count. One NHS lab says iron deficiency “cannot be confidently excluded” with inflammation unless ferritin is above 100 (UHB).
Ask: Could inflammation be hiding low iron? Should we check CRP and TSAT?
Ferritin from 100 to 200 (women before menopause) or 300 (men, and after menopause)
Iron stores look adequate. Above 100, ferritin alone doesn’t point to iron deficiency, even with inflammation (BSG 2021; UHB), though ASH 2026 still considers it if TSAT is under 20%.
- Inflammation with TSAT under 20%. TSAT is usually low in iron deficiency and in the anemia of inflammation (NHS Highland).
- Recent iron tablets or an infusion
Other suspects: vitamin B12, folate, thyroid (TSH), vitamin D, sleep and mood. See our “Always tired?” case file.
Ask: If my iron is fine, what else could explain how I feel?
Ferritin above 200 (women before menopause) or 300 (men, and after menopause), up to 500
Most raised ferritin isn’t iron overload, which UK guidance calls “a relatively uncommon cause” (BSH 2018). Inflammation, cancer, alcohol, liver disease and metabolic problems are commoner (BSH 2018; RUH Bath NHS).
- Inflammation or infection
- Regular or heavy drinking
- Fatty liver disease, now called MASLD (previously NAFLD)
- Other liver disease, kidney disease, heart failure or an overactive thyroid
- Iron treatment or repeated transfusions
- Less often, hereditary hemochromatosis
A repeat ferritin with TSAT when you’re well (UHNM), plus CRP and liver tests.
US (ACG 2019): TSAT 45% or more with a raised ferritin calls for a hemochromatosis (HFE) gene test. Europe (EASL 2022): TSAT above 45% in women or 50% in men.
Ask: Should we repeat this with TSAT? Do I need an HFE gene test?
Ferritin above 500 ng/mL (µg/L)
In people who are unwell, the WHO says above 500 “may indicate risk of iron overload” or other disease and needs further evaluation (WHO 2020). Inflammation and liver disease are still common causes.
- Significant inflammation, infection or liver disease
- Cancer
- Iron overload from hemochromatosis or transfusions
TSAT, liver tests and CRP. Iron overload is more likely if ferritin keeps rising or is above 1000. BSH 2018 advises considering a specialist referral for persistent unexplained levels, and checks for rare conditions such as HLH above 10,000.
Ask: What’s driving this? Do I need a specialist?
Ferritin with CRP, TSAT and hemoglobin: the patterns
Ferritin is one witness. CRP, TSAT and hemoglobin tell you whether to believe it.
| Ferritin | CRP | TSAT | Hemoglobin | Usual pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below 30 | Any | Often under 20% | Low | Iron deficiency anemia |
| Below 30 | Any | Any | Normal | Iron deficiency without anemia |
| 30 to 99 | Above 5 mg/L | Under 20% | Low or normal | Iron deficiency hidden by inflammation is possible |
| 100 or more | Raised | Under 20% | Low | Fits anemia of inflammation. Iron deficiency may still be considered. Needs a doctor’s review. |
| Raised | Raised | Normal | Any | Inflammation pushing ferritin up |
| Raised | Normal | Under 45% | Normal | Often alcohol, MASLD or other liver disease |
| Raised | Normal | 45% or more | Normal | Possible iron overload. HFE gene test. |
| Usual range | Normal | Normal | Normal | Iron stores look adequate |
Sources: ASH 2026; BSG 2021; WHO 2020; NHS Highland; BSH 2018; ACG 2019; EASL 2022.
What can throw off a ferritin result
Rule out a planted clue first:
- Infection or inflammation raises ferritin (Labcorp; UHNM). UHNM advises repeating a raised result when you’re not acutely ill.
- Iron tablets or an infusion raise ferritin (Exeter Clinical Laboratory).
- Hard endurance exercise. Ferritin can rise during recovery, as an acute-phase reaction (Zügel 2020).
- Alcohol and fatty liver raise ferritin without iron overload (BSH 2018; ACG 2019).
- Pregnancy. Ferritin falls late in pregnancy, which limits its usefulness (Labcorp).
- Blood donation. A single donation can tip an at-risk person into iron deficiency (Lifeblood).
- Biotin. Labcorp asks you to stop biotin at least 72 hours before the sample.
- Different labs. Ranges differ widely, even between labs on the same platform (Kurstjens 2024).
Ferritin in pregnancy
Heavy periods and pregnancy are very common causes of iron deficiency anemia (NHS).
- US: ASH 2026 uses 30 ng/mL or less in pregnancy, and 50 or less with anemia. It strongly recommends against using 15.
- UK: NHS maternity guidelines also use 30. Barnsley Hospital’s (2023), for example, diagnoses iron deficiency in pregnancy below 30 µg/L.
- WHO 2020: below 15 µg/L, for the first trimester only.
Your midwife or obstetrician will read ferritin alongside your hemoglobin.
Children, after menopause, and long-term conditions
- Children: ASH 2026 uses 20 ng/mL or less from 9 months to 4 years, and WHO 2020 uses below 12 µg/L under age 5.
- Men and women after menopause: iron deficiency anemia usually leads to gut tests (BSG 2021; AGA 2020). The typical upper limit is 300 (ACG 2019).
- Long-term conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, heart failure or cancer can hold ferritin up. ASH 2026 considers iron deficiency when ferritin is under 100 or TSAT under 20%.
Two ferritin myths
“Your ferritin is normal, so it isn’t your iron.” Many lab ranges start at 6 to 20, but ASH 2026 chose a clinical cut-off of 30 rather than the lab’s lower limit. With inflammation, iron deficiency can hide higher still.
“High ferritin means too much iron.” Usually it doesn’t (BSH 2018). Fatty liver and alcohol-related liver disease are more common than hemochromatosis among people with a high ferritin (ACG 2019). TSAT tells them apart.
Reading ferritin on your lab report or app
- Names: ferritin or serum ferritin, often within an iron studies panel.
- Units: ng/mL, µg/L and mcg/L give the same number (Labcorp). Serum iron differs: µg/dL × 0.179 = µmol/L. Our unit converter helps.
- CRP: usually mg/L. Some US hospitals use mg/dL (Michigan Medicine, for example). 1 mg/dL = 10 mg/L.
- Flags: “H” or “L” only means outside that lab’s range. A ferritin of 20 may carry no flag.
- Apps and portals: US portals often show results before your clinician comments. The UK NHS App may add a GP note.
When to get help urgently
- Chest pain with sweating, feeling sick, light-headed or short of breath: call 911 (US) or 999 (UK).
- Vomiting blood, especially with faintness or black poo: call 911 or 999, or go to the emergency room (A&E).
- Black or dark red poo: get urgent advice the same day (in the UK, an urgent GP appointment or NHS 111). Heavy, non-stop bleeding from the bottom needs emergency care.
- A ferritin above 10,000, or a very high ferritin with fever and feeling very unwell: contact your doctor today (BSH 2018).
Ferritin questions people ask
What is a normal ferritin level?
It depends on the lab. Adult upper limits run from about 150 to 235 for younger women and 300 to 500 for men. Guidelines put the iron deficiency line at 30, whatever the range says (BSG 2021; ASH 2026).
What is a normal ferritin level for women?
Lab ranges for adult women run from about 6–175 to 30–150, rising in later life. Below 30 counts as low stores. Above 200 before menopause, or 300 after, is raised (ACG 2019).
Is a ferritin of 20 low?
Yes. 20 ng/mL (20 µg/L) counts as low iron stores by UK (BSG 2021) and US (ASH 2026) cut-offs, even with no flag on your report.
Can you have low iron with a normal ferritin?
Yes, mainly with inflammation, which pushes ferritin up. ASH 2026 then considers iron deficiency when ferritin is under 100 or TSAT is under 20%.
What does high ferritin mean?
Usually inflammation, liver disease, alcohol or metabolic problems (BSH 2018). A TSAT of 45% or more with a raised ferritin calls for a hemochromatosis gene test (ACG 2019).
Is ng/mL the same as µg/L for ferritin?
Yes. The number is identical, so 45 ng/mL is 45 µg/L (Labcorp).
Can low ferritin cause tiredness or hair loss?
Both can be symptoms of iron deficiency anemia (NHS). Tiredness has many causes, so see our “Always tired?” case file.
How we wrote this page
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Mustafa Sakr, MBBCh. Last reviewed: October 2026. The numbers here come from current guidelines (ASH 2026, WHO 2020, BSG 2021, AGA 2020, BSH 2018, ACG 2019, EASL 2022) and published lab ranges, listed below. We update this page when guidance changes.
How the checker works: it compares your ferritin with cut-offs of 15, 30 and 100, an upper limit of 200 (women before menopause) or 300 (men and after menopause; ACG 2019), and 500 for very high (WHO 2020). Your lab’s upper limit replaces 200 or 300 if you enter it. Inflammation (the box, or a CRP above 5 mg/L) and TSAT add pattern notes. Values that look like the wrong unit get a hint. Nothing is stored or sent, and the checker can’t weigh your symptoms or history.
References
- American Society of Hematology. 2026 guidelines on diagnosis of iron deficiency (Powers JM, et al. Blood Adv 2026; doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2025015950). Press release · Visual summary · Implementation tool
- WHO. Guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status, 2020. who.int · NCBI Bookshelf
- Snook J, et al. BSG guidelines for the management of iron deficiency anaemia in adults. Gut 2021;70(11):2030–2051. gut.bmj.com
- Ko CW, et al. AGA guidelines on the gastrointestinal evaluation of iron deficiency anemia. Gastroenterology 2020;159(3). doi · ASGE summary
- Cullis JO, et al. Investigation and management of a raised serum ferritin (BSH). Br J Haematol 2018. b-s-h.org.uk
- Kowdley KV, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Hereditary Hemochromatosis. Am J Gastroenterol 2019;114:1202–1218. doi
- EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on haemochromatosis. J Hepatol 2022. easl.eu (PDF)
- NHS Highland. Iron deficiency guidelines, reviewed 2024. rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk
- Labcorp. Ferritin, test 004598; SI Unit Conversion Table. Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Ferritin (FERR1). Labcorp test · Conversion table · Mayo
- NHS labs: Exeter Clinical Laboratory; UHNM; University Hospitals Birmingham; RUH Bath, Ferritin: a guide for GPs. Exeter · UHNM · UHB · RUH Bath
- Truong J, et al. The origin of ferritin reference intervals. Lancet Haematol 2024. doi
- Kurstjens S, van Dam AD. Inconsistency in ferritin reference intervals across laboratories. Clin Chem Lab Med 2024. degruyterbrill.com
- NHS. Iron deficiency anaemia; Bleeding from the bottom; Vomiting blood; Chest pain. Anaemia · Bleeding · Vomiting blood · Chest pain
- Barnsley Hospital NHS FT. Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy, 2023. PDF
- Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. Anaemia and iron deficiency in blood donors. lifeblood.com.au
- Zügel M, et al. Front Physiol 2019;10:1577; AASLD, New MASLD nomenclature, 2023; Michigan Medicine Laboratories, C-reactive protein. Zügel · AASLD · MLabs
This page is for education only and isn’t medical advice, a diagnosis or a substitute for your own doctor, who knows your history. Reference ranges vary between laboratories. Always interpret results with a qualified clinician. See our medical disclaimer.
