Serum Ferritin (Ferritin)
Ferritin is the primary intracellular iron-storage hollow protein shell. Circulating ferritin reflects total reticuloendothelial iron stores while acting as an acute-phase inflammatory reactant.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangesng/mL
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
30 - 400 ng/mL (Male), 15 - 150 ng/mL (Female)
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
50 - 120 ng/mL
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Each ferritin molecule binds up to 4,500 iron atoms in a non-toxic ferric (Fe3+) state. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha) upregulate ferritin synthesis independently of iron stores, sequestering iron away from invading pathogens.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (Ferritin High)
- •Hereditary hemochromatosis (HFE gene mutations)
- •Metabolic syndrome and hepatic steatosis (dysmetabolic iron overload)
- •Systemic inflammatory disorders / Infections
- •Frequent blood transfusions
Low Levels (Ferritin Low)
- •Iron deficiency anemia (ferritin < 30 ng/mL is diagnostic)
- •Occult gastrointestinal blood loss
- •Heavy menstrual bleeding
- •Celiac disease / Iron malabsorption
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Venipuncture must be performed in the morning (between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM) due to pronounced diurnal variation in circulating iron levels. A 12-hour overnight fast is required; avoid oral iron supplements for at least 24 to 48 hours prior to testing. Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant; measure concurrent hs-CRP to rule out falsely elevated ferritin from systemic inflammation or acute infection.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Complete Iron Panel (Serum Iron, Total Iron-Binding Capacity, Ferritin, Transferrin Saturation Percentage)
- Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR) and sTfR-Ferritin Index to differentiate iron deficiency anemia from anemia of chronic disease
- HFE Gene Mutation Analysis (C282Y, H63D) to screen for hereditary hemochromatosis in cases of persistent transferrin supersaturation
- High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) to evaluate inflammatory status
- Upper and lower endoscopy (EGD and Colonoscopy) to rule out occult gastrointestinal blood loss in unexplained iron deficiency
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (1)
- [1]Iron Metabolism and Longevity: Cellular Mechanisms and Clinical Biomarkers - Cell Metabolism (2022). PMID: 35148821
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Serum Ferritin (Ferritin) into overall healthspan optimization.