In brief
A group of blood tests that shows how much iron is stored in your body and how much is being carried in the blood.
What it measures
Ferritin, which stores iron and is a good indication of your body's iron stores; serum iron; transferrin, which carries iron; and transferrin saturation, the percentage of transferrin carrying iron. TIBC measures the same thing as transferrin.
Why it is done
To check for too little or too much iron. If a full blood count suggests iron deficiency, iron studies are the next test.
Reading the results
- Iron deficiency: ferritin, iron and transferrin saturation are low, and transferrin or TIBC is high.
- Early iron deficiency: ferritin is low, but iron and transferrin may be normal and there is no anaemia yet.
- Iron overload, such as haemochromatosis: ferritin, iron and transferrin saturation are high, and transferrin or TIBC is low.
- Ferritin also rises with inflammation, infection, liver disease and autoimmune disorders, so a higher cut-off is often used when inflammation is present.
There is no standardised reference range for ferritin, so compare your result with the range on your own report.
Reference ranges
| Result | Range |
|---|---|
| Ferritin reference interval | There is no standardised reference interval for ferritin. Compare with the interval on your own report. |
| Ferritin lower limit used by some providers | About 30 µg/L in adults, or about 70 µg/L when inflammation is present |
| Ferritin typical upper limit | About 200 µg/L for women and 300 µg/L for men |
Ranges differ between laboratories. Always compare a result with the range printed on your own report, and ask your doctor what it means for you.
Before the test
Do not take iron supplements or food before the blood sample for iron studies, according to Pathology Tests Explained.
What can affect the result
- Recent iron supplements or food
- Inflammation or infection
- Liver disease
- Regular blood transfusions
Related topics
Connections
Iron studies (including ferritin) measures
Each test in iron studies measures a different part of how iron is stored and carried in the blood.
In early iron deficiency, ferritin is low while iron and transferrin may be normal and there is no anaemia yet.
Sources
Test information summarised from the sources listed on this page, read on 16 and 19 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.