What Does Low Ferritin Mean?

Iron is found in animal and plant sources

Iron is found in animal and plant sources

Ferritin is the major storage form of iron in the liver, spleen, muscle and bone. Only small amounts of ferritin circulate through the blood. Transferrin is a protein in the body that carries iron in the blood and functions to carry iron throughout the body to be stored as ferritin.

Functions of Iron

Iron provides support for the brain, immune system and healthy tissue functioning. Iron is primarily responsible for transporting oxygen through the blood, which delivers oxygen to tissues. Many enzymes -- proteins that help initiate chemical reactions in the cells -- also require iron to perform their duties. Healthy immune systems require adequate iron, and when the body is deficient in iron, it becomes more susceptible to illness. Since iron also helps produce the protective covering of nerve cells and aids in the production of neurotransmitters, it also plays a key role in proper brain function.


One of the most common reasons for low ferritin levels is iron-deficiency anemia. This condition can result from blood caused by heavy menstrual bleeding, gastrointestinal conditions that may impair iron absorption or gastrointestinal bleeding over time. If iron levels in the body are low, ferritin stores may be depleted causing low serum ferritin levels as the body removes iron from these stores to use for functions such as oxygen transport to tissues. Signs and symptoms of low ferritin levels include lethargy, weakness, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, hair loss, the desire to eat non-food items, paleness, unexplained bruising and intestinal issues. If you feel like you are suffering from any of these signs or symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible for a checkup.

Ferritin Levels

A simple ferritin test can be performed by your doctor to determine if your ferritin levels are low. The test involves a simple blood draw. Normal serum ferritin levels are 12 to 150 nanograms per milliliter and 12 to 300 nanograms per milliliter for females and males respectively. These normal values may vary slightly depending on the laboratory used. The lower ferritin levels, even if they fall within normal range, generally indicate lower iron levels.

Iron Sources

Iron absorption from dietary intake can vary tremendously. Individuals absorb anywhere from less than 1 percent to more than 50 percent of all of dietary iron that they consume. The greater a person's iron deficiency, the more the individual will absorb from dietary sources as the body increases absorption from food to help replenish iron stores. The types of iron found in foods are heme and nonheme iron. Heme iron is found in animal products and is more readily absorbed than nonheme iron, which is found in plant products. Good sources of heme iron include meats, poultry, oysters and shrimp, while iron-fortified cereals, lentils, beans and spinach are all sources of nonheme iron. Iron absorption can be enhanced by eating nonheme iron foods with foods that have vitamin C and with other heme iron food sources; doing so increases the bioavailability of nonheme iron.

References (5)

About the Author

Ashley Phillips is a registered dietitian and member of the American Dietetics Association. She holds a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and a Master of Science in human nutrition.

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