Common mistakes around Ferritin Männer

A common mistake is treating ferritin as a standalone iron marker. In men, elevated ferritin often reflects inflammation, metabolic syndrome, alcohol intake, or liver disease rather than iron overload. Conversely, normal ferritin does not rule out iron deficiency if chronic inflammation is present (ferritin is an acute-phase reactant). Many men self-supplement iron after seeing a low-normal ferritin, without checking transferrin saturation or CRP. Another error: interpreting high ferritin as hemochromatosis without HFE genetic testing and transferrin saturation >45 %. Ferritin measured after exercise can be transiently elevated. Reference ranges differ by sex – men have higher physiological ferritin. A level of 200 ng/mL may be normal, but if CRP is also elevated, it may indicate hidden inflammation. Key takeaway: never assess ferritin alone; always include CRP, transferrin saturation, and liver enzymes. For abnormal results, consult a physician rather than self-treating.