Ferritin is a complex, iron-containing protein, and is the primary form of reserve iron in the body.
Ferritin may be increased in:
Iron overload
Some cancers
Inflammatory diseases
Chronic renal disease
Hepatitis
Ferritin is decreased in:
Iron deficiency anemia
Ferritin is usually normal in:
Hemolytic anemia
Normal Values*
Men
15-300 ng/ml
15-300 ug/L
Women
12-150 ng/ml
12-150 ug/L
*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.
Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300