What to watch with Ferritin and sleep?

Ferritin is the primary iron storage marker. Low ferritin (<30 µg/L) is strongly associated with sleep disturbances, particularly Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), which causes an irresistible urge to move the legs during rest, severely disrupting sleep. Clinical guidelines (e.g., from the International RLS Study Group) recommend checking ferritin in RLS patients and considering iron supplementation if levels are low. However, ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant: it can be elevated due to inflammation or infection, masking true iron deficiency. High ferritin (>200 µg/L in women, >300 µg/L in men) may indicate hemochromatosis (iron overload) or chronic inflammation, both of which can impair sleep quality. Evidence for the ferritin–sleep link is human-moderate, based on observational studies and RCTs on iron therapy for RLS. Caveats: Ferritin alone is insufficient for diagnosis; transferrin saturation, CRP, and clinical history are needed. If you have persistent sleep issues and suspect iron problems, consult a physician for a full iron panel and sleep evaluation.