What is ferritin?
Ferritin is the protein your body uses to store iron, and the blood ferritin level is the standard way to estimate how much iron is held in reserve. Low ferritin generally reflects depleted iron stores, while high ferritin can reflect either iron overload or , importantly , inflammation, since ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant that rises when the body is inflamed.
This dual nature is what makes ferritin both useful and easy to misread without proper context.
Because ferritin reflects stored iron rather than the iron actively circulating in the blood, it is usually the first marker checked when assessing iron status, and it gives a more stable picture than serum iron, which fluctuates throughout the day. For a complete view, ferritin is often interpreted alongside a full iron panel (serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation), which together help distinguish low stores from problems with iron transport or utilization.
What do the numbers mean?
Women 50–150 ng/mL
Women 15–150 ng/mL
Women <15 ng/mL
Ferritin rises with inflammation, so a normal or high ferritin can mask low iron when inflammation is present. For this reason it is often interpreted alongside an inflammatory marker (such as hs-CRP) and a full iron panel. Lab reference ranges vary by laboratory, age, sex, and testing method. Always interpret your results with your healthcare provider , do not self-diagnose.
Why this marker matters before peptide research.
Iron status is a relevant variable in several research areas, including research into hair and follicle health , low iron stores are one factor studied in connection with hair shedding and follicle function.
Establishing a ferritin baseline before beginning a research protocol provides context, particularly in hair-focused research.
Because ferritin is influenced by both iron stores and inflammation, it is most meaningful when interpreted alongside other markers by a qualified provider rather than read in isolation.
This dual sensitivity to both iron stores and inflammation is the practical reason a single ferritin value can mislead. In research settings, the clearest interpretation comes from establishing a baseline and tracking it over time alongside an inflammatory marker such as hs-CRP, so that a rise driven by inflammation is not mistaken for healthy iron stores. It is also worth noting that the iron thresholds discussed in hair and follicle research are often higher than the floor of the standard laboratory reference range, which is part of why a baseline matters rather than a simple in-range or out-of-range reading.
How to get this test.
Where to order
Ferritin is available individually or as part of an iron panel through standard lab providers.
How to prepare
No special fasting is typically required, but follow lab guidance. Because recent illness or inflammation can elevate ferritin, timing around acute illness matters.
What to ask for
A ferritin test, ideally alongside a full iron panel (serum iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation) and an inflammatory marker such as hs-CRP for context.