Ferritin
Ferritin is the primary storage form of iron in the body. Population levels vary substantially by age and sex, with males having considerably higher levels than females of reproductive age.
Unit: ng/mL · 12 groups · age and sex · 1 source
Filed under panels: Iron Studies · topics: Hematology
Ferritin by age and sex
| Age (years) | Males (ng/mL) | Females (ng/mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | median 140.0 middle 90% 42.8 to 366.6 | median 39.8 middle 90% 8.7 to 136.5 |
| 30-39 | median 165.5 middle 90% 33.5 to 462.0 | median 47.2 middle 90% 8.5 to 140.0 |
| 40-49 | median 173.0 middle 90% 49.0 to 548.5 | median 44.8 middle 90% 6.6 to 198.7 |
| 50-59 | median 187.0 middle 90% 41.3 to 582.1 | median 93.6 middle 90% 14.4 to 346.8 |
| 60-69 | median 152.0 middle 90% 27.2 to 592.6 | median 99.7 middle 90% 24.9 to 344.4 |
| 70+ | median 135.3 middle 90% 23.0 to 547.6 | median 105.0 middle 90% 21.8 to 422.3 |
Download Ferritin percentiles (CSV) Values at full stored precision; tables on this site may round for display. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Population Distribution
Ferritin reflects total body iron stores. It is the most sensitive indicator of iron deficiency and is also elevated in conditions of inflammation, liver disease, and iron overload. Population reference ranges differ markedly between males and females, and shift with age, particularly in females after menopause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do males have higher ferritin than females?
Males do not experience menstrual blood loss, which depletes iron stores. As a result, males have higher median ferritin than females in every adult age group. The gap narrows after menopause, when female levels rise toward male levels.
How does ferritin change with age?
The pattern differs by sex. In NHANES 2017-March 2020 data, the female median roughly doubles between ages 40-49 (44.8 ng/mL) and 50-59 (93.6 ng/mL), then rises slightly in older groups. In males, the median peaks at ages 50-59 (187.0 ng/mL) and is lower at age 70 and over (135.3 ng/mL). These compare different age groups in one survey, not the same people followed as they age.
Why are these population percentiles, not clinical reference ranges?
Clinical reference ranges (such as those provided by Labcorp or Quest) are derived from a selected population of presumed-healthy individuals and are designed to flag potential pathology. Population percentiles from NHANES describe the distribution in the general US population, including individuals with subclinical conditions. Both are useful and answer different questions.
Data Sources
Cite this data
LabNorms. Ferritin population percentiles by age and sex. Data: NHANES 2017-March 2020 Pre-Pandemic. https://labnorms.com/analytes/ferritin/. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Accessed [date].
Download Ferritin percentiles (CSV) Values at full stored precision; tables on this site may round for display. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.