Ferritin

Routine annual

also —

What it isFerritin is the body's iron storage protein. Most of it sits inside cells; a small fraction in blood reflects body iron reserves. It's also an acute-phase reactant that rises with inflammation.

DoesStores iron in a non-toxic form and releases it when the body needs to make hemoglobin, myoglobin, and iron-containing enzymes.

GoodMid-range ferritin signals adequate iron reserves without overload.

BadLow ferritin signals iron deficiency — fatigue, hair loss, restless legs, exercise intolerance, brain fog — often before anemia develops. Very high ferritin signals iron overload (hemochromatosis), inflammation, or liver disease and drives oxidative damage.

Standard

Men 30–400 ng/mL; women 13–150 ng/mL.

Optimal

70–150 ng/mL (narrow target)

Modifiers

Rises with inflammation, infection, alcohol, liver disease, and metabolic syndrome; falls with bleeding (heavy periods, GI loss).

How to optimize

Lifestyle: Address heavy menstrual bleeding; investigate GI loss if unexplained low ferritin; therapeutic phlebotomy if overload.
Diet: Red meat, poultry, fish for heme iron; legumes, leafy greens for non-heme; vitamin C with plant iron meals to enhance absorption.
Supplements: Iron bisglycinate (25–50mg every other day for better absorption, lower GI side effects) only if confirmed low; lactoferrin is gentler.
Peptides: —
Drugs: IV iron for severe deficiency or malabsorption; phlebotomy for hemochromatosis.

within Iron