Ferritin & Iron Panel Interpreter
Enter your ferritin result, and optionally your serum iron and TIBC, to get a plain-language read on what your iron panel means. Nothing uploaded.
Results
Summary
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Reference ranges vary by lab, sex, and age - always check the range printed on your own report. Informational only, not medical advice - discuss results with a doctor.
Understanding iron panel test results
How ferritin, serum iron, and TIBC tell different parts of the iron story
The iron panel is three separate measurements that together show whether you have iron deficiency, iron overload, or inflammation. Ferritin (stored iron) alone can be misleading - it rises with both iron excess and inflammation. Serum iron (circulating iron) rises and falls quickly throughout the day based on meals. TIBC (total iron-binding capacity) is the amount of iron your blood proteins could carry if fully loaded. Together, transferrin saturation (serum iron divided by TIBC) reveals the true picture. Example: someone with ferritin 150 (mid-range), serum iron 80, and TIBC 300 has 27% saturation (normal). This pattern suggests mild inflammation, not iron overload. Someone with ferritin 500, iron 160, and TIBC 300 has 53% saturation (high) - this pattern suggests iron overload. Ferritin alone at 500 would have been ambiguous." }
When to suspect iron deficiency versus iron overload
Iron deficiency typically shows low ferritin and low saturation together. You may also have low hemoglobin (anemia). Causes include menstrual bleeding, GI blood loss, or poor absorption. Treatment: find the source of loss, take iron supplements, repeat testing in 6-8 weeks. Iron overload (hemochromatosis) shows elevated ferritin with elevated saturation. It is rare genetically but can develop from repeated blood transfusions. Treatment involves phlebotomy (blood removal) or chelation therapy. Elevated ferritin with normal saturation often signals inflammation (from infection, autoimmune disease, or liver disease) rather than iron problems - in this case, addressing the inflammation is the priority." }
FAQ
What is ferritin and what does a low level mean?
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside cells. Blood ferritin reflects the amount of iron stored in your body. A low ferritin level (below 30 ng/mL for most people) usually signals iron deficiency - your body has used up stored iron. Common causes: blood loss, heavy menstrual periods, poor iron absorption, or insufficient dietary iron. Low ferritin often comes with low hemoglobin (anemia), which causes fatigue. Treatment depends on the cause - stopping the source of blood loss, taking iron supplements, or treating malabsorption.
Can elevated ferritin mean iron overload?
Elevated ferritin (above 300 ng/mL) can signal iron overload, but it is not definitive on its own. Ferritin also rises with inflammation, infection, liver disease, and other conditions. To distinguish iron overload from inflammation, you need transferrin saturation (% iron-binding capacity filled). If ferritin is high AND transferrin saturation is high, iron overload is likely. If ferritin is high but saturation is normal, inflammation is more likely. A single elevated ferritin is not a diagnosis - you need serum iron and TIBC to interpret it correctly.
What is transferrin saturation and how is it calculated?
Transferrin saturation is the percentage of your iron-binding capacity that is actually filled with iron. The formula is (serum iron ÷ TIBC) × 100. Normal saturation is roughly 20-50%. Example: serum iron 90 µg/dL, TIBC 300 µg/dL = (90÷300)×100 = 30% saturation (normal). If iron is 150 and TIBC is 300, that's 50% saturation (high, suggests iron overload). Saturation helps distinguish iron problems from inflammation.