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Normal Ferritin Levels

Puja Lalwani
Ferritin is an iron storage protein present in each cell of the body. As they are one of the major proteins to store iron, a test done to measure its level in the body can be directly used as a measure of the iron levels. This Story helps you understand what is the normal level of ferritin in the body, and what does that mean.
Ferritin refers to a type of protein that is present in all living organisms which stores iron in them for later use. The iron present in a living organism is bound to ferritin in the body, which also regulates the iron levels in the body. The amount of this protein present in the blood is a direct measure of the level of iron present in the body.
Therefore, it can be said that low ferritin levels in the body signifies iron deficiency, whereas, excess levels reflect an iron overdose. When the body begins to display any of the symptoms of an overdose or deficiency of iron, iron tests are recommended, and in some cases you may be asked to undergo a ferritin test.
The ferritin levels reflected in the test will help understand the cause of any condition that may affect the body. Let's take a look at the figures that qualify as normal levels.

Normal Ferritin Levels

As aforementioned, its levels in the body are determined by means of a ferritin blood test, that indirectly measure the iron levels in the body. 

The normal levels in men, women, and kids are different which are shown in the list ahead.
Age Group/Gender - Ferritin Levels
  • Newborns - 25-200 ng/mL
  • Babies: 1 month old - 200-600 ng/mL
  • Babies: 2-5 month old - 50-200 ng/mL
  • Children: 6 month-15 yr old - 7-142 ng/mL
  • Women - 18-160 ng/mL
  • Men - 18-270 ng/mL
Ferritin levels may be represented in terms of ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) or mcg/mL (micrograms per milliliter).

What do Ferritin Levels Imply?

Normal levels simply imply that your body does not have any iron overdose or deficiency, which means you are in the pink of health. However, low levels are symbolic of low iron levels in the body. In some cases, they may reflect the presence of anemia in the body.
Even if your ferritin levels are on the lower side of the normal range, they may mean that you have low iron levels. The cause of low levels in women may be excessive menstrual bleeding or a diet that is low in iron. These low levels are indicated by symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, poor sex drive, and irritability.
On the other hand, high ferritin levels may indicate that you are affected by a condition called hemochromatosis. It is a genetic condition, which may cause toxicity in the body. This condition may also develop if you have recently undergone a blood transfusion. This causes the body to store too much iron (acquired hemochromatosis).
Daily alcohol consumption, thalassemia, liver problem, leukemia, arthritis, or a diet rich in iron may cause the iron levels in the body to increase, and a subsequent increase in the ferritin levels. The condition may also develop due to Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, inflammatory conditions, and infections.
Depending on the ferritin levels in the body, you may be asked to increase or decrease the intake of iron-rich foods and supplements in your diet. Normal ferretin level is a sign of good health, however, it is always better to consult a doctor who will explain all these figures and the associated symptoms in a better way.
Subsequently, you may also be prescribed appropriate medication to increase or decrease its level. Always ask a doctor or a nutritionist to guide you with the right course of action, and do not risk your health due to any kind of fears or inhibitions.
Disclaimer: This Story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.