How are Ferritin and fertility related?

Ferritin is the body's main iron storage protein. Its link to fertility is primarily through iron status: iron deficiency (low ferritin) can impair ovulation, egg quality, and implantation. Observational studies report lower ferritin levels in women with unexplained infertility. In men, iron deficiency may reduce sperm motility and count. However, ferritin is not a standalone fertility marker – it must be interpreted alongside other iron parameters and inflammatory markers (ferritin rises as an acute-phase protein). Excess ferritin (iron overload, e.g., hemochromatosis) can also harm fertility by causing oxidative stress and hormonal disruption. The evidence is human-moderate: mostly observational, with few interventional trials. Therefore, ferritin should be part of a comprehensive fertility workup, not a single predictor. Iron supplementation should only be taken after confirmed deficiency, as both deficiency and overload can negatively affect reproductive health.