Evidence check: Ferritin in the context of Schlaf

Ferritin is an iron-storage protein and a key biomarker for the body's iron status. Low ferritin levels are clinically linked to sleep disturbances, particularly Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), which causes uncomfortable leg sensations and an urge to move, often disrupting sleep. Studies indicate that iron supplementation can improve RLS symptoms and sleep quality when ferritin is below 50–75 µg/L. However, ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant: it can be elevated due to inflammation, infection, or chronic disease, masking true iron deficiency. Therefore, a single ferritin measurement is insufficient to diagnose sleep disorders. MyBody-X may include ferritin in its blood test panels, but such consumer tests provide only a snapshot and are not diagnostic. The evidence linking ferritin to sleep is moderate, based on clinical observations rather than large RCTs from the provided context. For a comprehensive assessment, additional markers like CRP, serum iron, and transferrin saturation should be evaluated. Iron supplementation should only be undertaken after medical consultation, as excess iron can be harmful.