What usually happens next
Fatty liver, alcohol, inflammation and metabolic syndrome are the most common reasons. A transferrin saturation over 45% points instead to iron overload, such as haemochromatosis.
Your doctor will usually check transferrin saturation, liver tests and CRP.
When a ferritin can read wrong
Ferritin is also an inflammation marker: an infection, an inflammatory condition, fatty liver or heavy drinking can push it up and hide low iron. In those cases a ferritin under 70 ng/mL can still mean iron deficiency.
Read it with
- Ferritin, explained in full
- Transferrin saturation
- Serum iron
- Hemoglobin
- Iron deficiency
- Haemochromatosis
Nearby results

Questions
Is a ferritin of 300 ng/mL normal?
A ferritin of 300 ng/mL is above the usual range. The usual range is about 30 to 300 ng/mL, depending on the lab, sex and age.
Is a ferritin of 300 ng/mL too low?
Under 15 ng/mL means iron stores are empty, and under 30 they're likely depleted. Between 30 and 45 it's low-normal; what matters is whether you're anaemic and why.
Can I take iron with a ferritin of 300 ng/mL?
Iron is something to replace with your doctor, after finding out why it's low, because taking it when you don't need it can do harm.
Worked out by LifeFrom from the WHO's 2020 ferritin guideline and the AGA guideline, and not yet reviewed by a clinician. For your own understanding: only a lab test, read by your clinician, diagnoses anything.