Ferritin Iron Store Interpretation
Interprets serum ferritin in the context of iron deficiency, iron overload, and inflammation. Ferritin is an acute phase reactant and must be interpreted with clinical context.
Score interpretation
Ferritin <12 μg/L is highly specific for iron deficiency (depleted stores)
→ Investigate cause of iron deficiency (GI loss, menorrhagia, malabsorption); oral or IV iron replacement
Low-normal ferritin — may represent early iron deficiency especially with symptoms or anaemia
→ Check transferrin saturation and serum iron; treat if symptomatic or anaemic
Normal iron stores (approximate range varies by sex and laboratory)
→ No iron deficiency; explore other causes of anaemia if present
Elevated ferritin — most commonly due to inflammation, liver disease, or haematological malignancy. May also represent iron overload.
→ Interpret with CRP; if CRP normal, consider haemochromatosis, repeated transfusions, or haematological malignancy
Markedly elevated ferritin (>1000 μg/L) — consider hereditary haemochromatosis, transfusional iron overload, HLH (hyperferritinaemia >10,000), liver disease, or systemic inflammation
→ Urgent haematology review; HbS mutation screen, liver biopsy if haemochromatosis suspected; HScore if HLH possible
Interpretation bands for the Ferritin Interpretation. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Camaschella C. Iron-deficiency anemia. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(19):1832–1843.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Ferric Carboxymaltose (IV Iron — Pregnancy) · IV Iron Preparation — Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Pregnancy
- Iron Supplementation (Paediatric) · Iron Supplement — Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Children
- Deferoxamine (Iron/Aluminium Overload in Dialysis) · Iron/Aluminium Overload in Dialysis
- Colchicine (Pericarditis / Post-MI Inflammation) · Pericarditis / Coronary Inflammation
- Thiamine (IV/IM — Pabrinex) · Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) — deficiency treatment / Wernicke's encephalopathy prevention
- Dexamethasone · Corticosteroid — ENT Inflammation / Croup
- Major Haemorrhage / Massive Transfusion · BCSH; RCOA; RCEM; RCS — BCSH Guidelines
- Anaemia Investigation · BSH / NICE
- Splenomegaly Workup · BSH; BMJ Best Practice
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Diagnosis and Treatment · NICE CG144 / NICE NG158
- Sickle Cell Crisis · BSH 2021 / BCSH
- Neutropenic Sepsis · NICE CG151 2012 / ESMO
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.