Ferritin levels: what's normal, high and low
The protein that stores iron in your body. The single best marker of iron stores.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
The short answer
Ferritin is measured with a standard blood draw; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 24.0 – 336 ng/mL (male, age 18+; more bands below). At TestWell it's $24.99 all-in as Ferritin, results in 1–3 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.
- Units
- ng/mL
- Sample
- Blood draw
- Fasting
- Not required
- Results
- 1–3 business days
- Price
- $24.99
- Labs
- Quest or Labcorp · BioReference in NY/NJ
Ferritin Reference Range
These are the typical adult reference ranges used by major US labs. Your report will include the specific range used by the lab that processed your sample.
| Population | Range |
|---|---|
| Male, age 18+ | 24.0 – 336 ng/mL |
| Female, age 18+ | 11.0 – 307 ng/mL |
Reference ranges are educational. Always interpret your result with the specific range printed on your lab report and discuss anything outside the range with a clinician.
What your Ferritin result may mean
Often reflects inflammation, infection, or excess iron stores. Less commonly, liver disease.
What a high Ferritin means: causes, symptoms, next steps →Strongly suggests iron deficiency, even before anemia develops. Common in menstruating women, vegetarians, and athletes.
What a low Ferritin means: causes, symptoms, next steps →Educational only — not a diagnosis. Many factors can influence a single result. Discuss anything that concerns you with a healthcare provider.
How do you get a Ferritin test?
Order online, a licensed physician reviews the requisition, and you walk into a nearby lab for the draw. Ferritin is available on its own or inside these panels — panels cost less per marker when you want the fuller picture.
| Option | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ferritin | This marker only | $24.99 |
| Baseline Anemia Panel | 5 tests | $74.99 |
| Fatty Liver Panel | 6 tests | $92.99 |
| Post-COVID Recovery Panel | 7 tests | $99.99 |
| Inflammation Panel | 7 tests | $119.99 |
Quest vs. Labcorp for Ferritin: which lab should you pick?
Both are CLIA-certified national labs and the result is clinically equivalent, so pick whichever location is closer. Your report will print that lab's own reference range, which can differ slightly from the table above.
| Lab | Available | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $24.99 |
| Labcorp | Yes | $25.99 |
| BioReference (NY & NJ) | Yes | $25.99 |
Need help choosing a location? Use the lab finder to see draw sites near your ZIP.
How often should you retest Ferritin?
Ferritin refills slowly. When treating iron deficiency, hemoglobin usually improves within a few weeks, but ferritin needs roughly 3 months of consistent iron before a recheck can confirm stores have recovered (British Society of Gastroenterology guidance). Because ferritin also rises with inflammation, a result drawn during or just after an illness can read falsely reassuring — retest once you're well.
General guidance from the sources listed below — your clinician may set a different schedule based on your history and results.
Related Iron & Anemia biomarkers
Markers commonly tested alongside Ferritin.
Frequently asked
Often reflects inflammation, infection, or excess iron stores. Less commonly, liver disease. A single result above the reference range is a prompt to look closer with a clinician — often a repeat test and related markers — not a diagnosis on its own.
Ready to test your ferritin?
Order in two minutes, get physician-approved, and visit a lab the same day. Starts at $24.99.