Ferritin units of measurement?

[MrPeaPaw]

My ferritin tested as 261 ng/mL with a range of 30 -- 400. This seems like a large range and I read here that Ferritn should be around 70? 70 what? Thanks for your help.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mr PeaPaw

I read here that Ferritn should be around 70?

That's not quite right. According to some experts, ferritin levels of at least 40 ng/ml are required to stop hair loss, while levels of at least 70 ng/ml are needed for hair regrowth. The optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is said to be between 90-110 ng/ml and I've read that is generally for females, for males around 130 is suggested.

ng/ml is the same at ug/L when measuring ferritin so if you see the unit of measurement as either of those then the above figures are appropriate.

Ranges vary a lot and between males and females. My surgery has one range for all which is 15-300. Some private labs have a female range of 13-150 and your range for males, another lab has a range going up to 650 for over 60s of both sexes. It's very confusing.

[MrPeaPaw in reply to SeasideSusie]

thanks! Is my ferritin level sufficient? It IS very confusing!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to MrPeaPaw]

I don't know if you're male or female, my previous reply gives the recommended optimal levels for thyroid function.

Also, you have to look at ferritin in relation to an inflammation marker, eg CRP. If inflammation is present CRP would be raised, inflammation also raises ferritin, so you would get a falsely raised ferritin level showing if you have some inflammation or infection.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

presumably you are male

Range for males is much wider than for females

Ferritin level is fine

[radd]

MrPeaPaw,

Ferritin is often only referred to by the number on the forum because nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or micrograms per liter (μg/L) is equivalent.

Ferritin of 261 (30 - 400 ng/mL) is a good level. However, if you feel unwell it is prudent to get an iron panel which gives a picture of serum iron levels and how iron is working for you.

[Otto11]

My consultant told me as long as it was over 100 to prevent hair loss then that was good. Yours seems very good.