What do the results mean?Lower than normal ferritin levels may mean you have iron deficiency anemia or another condition related to low iron levels. Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia, a disorder in which your body doesn't make enough red blood cells. Iron deficiency anemia can cause heart problems, infections, and other health issues.Higher than normal ferritin levels can mean you have too much iron in your body. Conditions that cause increased iron levels include liver disease, alcohol abuse, and hemochromatosis, a disorder that can lead to cirrhosis, heart disease, and diabetes.If your ferritin results are not normal, it does not necessarily mean you have a medical condition needing treatment. Certain medicines can decrease or increase your ferritin levels. If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
