For men, the normal range for ferritin is 24 to 336 nanograms per milliliter, and for women, the normal range for ferritin is 11 to 307 nanograms per milliliter, explains Mayo Clinic. These are measured in standard units.
If the results of a ferritin test are lower than normal, it may indicate that the individual has low iron in the blood, or has anemia, according to Mayo Clinic. In this case, working with a doctor to find the cause is important, as anemia often makes people feel tired and weak. It can also be a sign of more serious issues that a doctor may wish to explore.
Results from a ferritin test that are higher than normal are also problematic, claims Mayo Clinic. One reason ferritin levels may be higher is due to conditions such as hemochromatosis, porphyria or rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, high levels of ferritin in the blood could indicate that the individual has liver disease or hypothyroidism. Type 2 diabetes, leukemia or Hodgkin's lymphoma also are known to cause elevated levels of ferritin in the blood. Usually, if a doctor finds a patient has elevated ferritin levels, other diagnostic tests are completed in order to find out what is causing the elevated levels and what type of treatment is necessary.
