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Ferritin Levels — Should You Get Yours Tested?

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On September 20, 2025
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Ferritin Levels — Should You Get Yours Tested?

Abnormal ferritin levels don’t necessarily mean there’s a serious problem — diet and medications can sometimes influence test results. For instance, the tannins (naturally occurring plant compounds) in coffee, wine, and black tea can block iron absorption in the body, which could lead to lower ferritin levels.

Similarly, medications used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (a chronic condition that occurs when stomach acid rises into the esophagus) can lead to low ferritin levels when taken long term, says Odogwu.

But there may be other reasons your ferritin test results may be abnormal. “Ferritin levels should be interpreted by a medical professional, such as your primary care physician or a hematologist, as context is important,” Dr. Metheny says.

Here’s why your ferritin may be too low or high, and how to get back in the normal range.

Normal Ferritin Levels

Women: 30 to 150 nanograms (ng) per liter (L)

Men: 30 to 300 ng/L

While the above ferritin ranges are ideal for most people, there is no universally accepted “normal,” and ferritin reference ranges vary among laboratories. “Some labs still report levels below 30 as normal,” says Odogwu. “This may cause people with iron deficiency to suffer without proper treatment.”

It’s best to have your results interpreted by your healthcare provider in the context of your overall health and medical history.

Low Ferritin Levels

Anyone: Less than 30 ng/L (though this can vary depending on the lab and how the results are interpreted)

If your ferritin levels are low, you may experience the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Dizziness
  • Unusually pale skin
  • Weakness
  • Shortness of breath

According to Metheny, causes of low ferritin levels may include:

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Iron deficiency
  • Donating blood frequently
  • Intestinal conditions that inhibit the absorption of iron (such as Crohn’s disease)
When left untreated, low ferritin can lead to health conditions, such as restless legs syndrome (RLS, a neurological disorder that causes an urge to move the legs when at rest). While causes of RLS aren’t well understood, it’s thought that low levels of dopamine, a brain chemical that’s used to regulate movement, may contribute.

 As iron plays a role in creating dopamine, a deficiency may increase your risk of RLS.

Low ferritin can also cause pica, a mental health condition that involves craving nonfood items, such as dirt or paper. Some researchers hypothesize that people crave nonfoods to compensate for deficiencies in specific minerals, including iron, zinc, and calcium.

As iron plays a vital role in immune health, a chronic deficiency can also increase your risk of infection and illness.

Low ferritin levels are typically treated with an oral iron supplement, Odogwu says. Often, in doses of 150 to 200 mg per day.

 But people with intestinal issues or diseases that affect iron absorption may need iron delivered intravenously through an IV.

High Ferritin Levels

Women: More than 200 ng/L

Men: More than 400 ng/L

If you have high ferritin levels, you may experience:

  • Joint pain
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Hair loss
  • Fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Loss of libido
  • Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)

High ferritin levels can have several causes, says Metheny. These include:

  • Inflammation in the body
  • Too much red meat
  • Hemochromatosis
  • Overuse of iron supplements
High ferritin and iron levels can cause complications if left untreated, says Odogwu. These include:

  • Diabetes
  • Liver fibrosis
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Heart muscle abnormalities
  • Joint abnormalities
  • Increased risk of liver cancer
If iron overload is the cause of your high ferritin levels, treatment will involve removing 500 milliliters (ml) of blood from the body once a week until iron levels return to normal range, Odogwu says. Once ferritin levels reach 50 to 100 ng/L, people with hemochromatosis receive blood draws every three months to maintain healthy ferritin levels, she notes. But some people may only need to do this two or three times a year.

Interestingly, some people who receive blood transfusions to treat certain types of anemia may develop secondary hemochromatosis (a condition where excessive iron builds up due to treatments rather than genetics). In this case, removing blood isn’t an appropriate treatment. Doctors will instead prescribe a chelating agent, or a medicine that binds to iron and enables you to pass any excess amounts through urine.

Be sure to discuss your test results with your doctor, as well as the best treatment options for your individual needs.

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