Ferritin + iron panel
Diagnostics · Iron status
Tier S
What this is
Low ferritin with normal Hgb is latent iron deficiency — common in menstruating women, endurance athletes. High ferritin (>300-500) warrants hereditary hemochromatosis workup (HFE mutations). 'Natural' approach of donating blood is legitimate for mild iron overload. Ferritin as acute-phase reactant means interpret in context with inflammation markers.
Mechanism
Ferritin = iron storage; also acute-phase reactant (rises with inflammation independently of iron); complete iron panel includes serum iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation for fuller picture
Dose & route
Annually or symptom-driven; deficiency <30 ng/mL (men) or <40 ng/mL (women); target 50-150; overload >300 warrants further evaluation
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33491142/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28094542/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5683528/
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This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.