How are Ferritin Eisenmangel and Fruchtbarkeit related?

Ferritin is the main iron storage protein and a key marker of iron status. Iron deficiency (low ferritin) can impair fertility by disrupting ovulation, oocyte maturation, and implantation. Studies have found that women with infertility are more likely to have ferritin below 30 µg/L. However, the evidence is not conclusive – a causal link is not fully established because fertility is multifactorial. Conversely, iron overload (high ferritin) can also harm fertility, e.g., in hemochromatosis. A single ferritin value should not be interpreted in isolation; it must be combined with transferrin saturation, hemoglobin, and clinical context. Caution: self-supplementation with iron without medical guidance can be harmful. The evidence level is moderate – human observational studies exist, but no large randomized trials prove that optimizing ferritin alone improves fertility outcomes.