Risks and limits of Ferritin Alltag

Ferritin is a key biomarker for body iron stores, but its everyday interpretation has clear limits. Low ferritin (<30 µg/L) typically indicates iron deficiency, while elevated levels (>150–200 µg/L) can signal inflammation, infection, liver disease, or hemochromatosis. However, ferritin is an acute-phase reactant: during inflammation or infection, it can be falsely elevated, masking true iron deficiency. Therefore, ferritin should never be assessed in isolation; it must be interpreted alongside CRP, transferrin saturation, and complete blood count. Single-value consumer tests without medical context risk misinterpretation, leading to unnecessary supplementation or missed diagnoses. The evidence for ferritin as a marker is strong (human-strong), but its limitations lie in low specificity. Consumer lab tests often provide a raw number without clinical correlation – the risk is over- or under-treatment. For suspected iron disorders, a physician should evaluate a full iron panel.