What role does Ferritin play in Schlaf?

Ferritin is the primary iron-storage protein in the body. Low ferritin levels (iron deficiency) are a well-established risk factor for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS), both of which can severely disrupt sleep quality. The evidence for this link is strong in human studies. Additionally, iron deficiency can impair the synthesis of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which regulate sleep-wake cycles. Conversely, very high ferritin may indicate inflammation or iron overload, which can also negatively affect sleep. Thus, ferritin plays an indirect but clinically relevant role in sleep. Testing ferritin can be useful in sleep diagnostics, especially when RLS is suspected. However, the evidence for a direct causal effect on sleep architecture beyond RLS/PLMS is moderate and based largely on observational data. Caveat: Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant; elevated levels may reflect inflammation rather than true iron overload.