What is the ideal ferritin range for a 35-year-old female in ng/mL?

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From the Guidelines

Ideal Ferritin Range for a 35-year-old Female

An ideal ferritin range for a 35-year-old female is between 30-100 ng/mL, with a target level of at least 50 ng/mL to ensure adequate iron stores and prevent deficiency 1.

  • Levels below 30 ng/mL may indicate iron deficiency, while levels above 100 ng/mL may suggest iron overload or other underlying conditions.
  • It is essential to consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, as individual needs may vary, especially in the presence of inflammation or chronic diseases 1.
  • The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recommends using a cut-off of 45 ng/mL when using ferritin to diagnose iron deficiency 1.
  • In patients without clinical, endoscopic, or biochemical evidence of active disease, serum ferritin <30 mg/L is an appropriate criterion for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, and in the presence of inflammation, a serum ferritin up to 100 mg/L may still be consistent with iron deficiency 1.

From the Research

Ideal Ferritin Range for a 35-year-old Female

The ideal ferritin range for a 35-year-old female is not strictly defined, but several studies provide insights into the appropriate ferritin levels for women.

  • A study published in 2013 2 suggests that ferritin levels < 40 ng/mL indicate iron deficiency, while symptoms can occur at levels < 100 ng/mL.
  • Another study from 2023 3 proposes that the physiologic ferritin "cutoff" is 50 ng/mL, and that current reference ranges may lead to underdiagnosis of iron deficiency in women.
  • A 2024 study 4 found that ferritin cutoffs of 30 and 45 ng/mL were associated with a higher incidence of iron deficiency compared to 15 ng/mL.
  • A 2002 study 5 recommends maintaining ferritin > or = 100 ng/mL for patients with chronic kidney disease, but this may not be applicable to the general population.
  • A 2022 study 6 suggests that ferritin levels ≤ 50 ng/mL are indicative of early iron deficiency, and this could be considered a clinically relevant cut-off.

Key Findings

  • Ferritin levels < 40 ng/mL may indicate iron deficiency 2.
  • Ferritin levels < 100 ng/mL may be associated with symptoms 2.
  • A physiologic ferritin "cutoff" of 50 ng/mL has been proposed 3.
  • Ferritin cutoffs of 30 and 45 ng/mL may be associated with a higher incidence of iron deficiency 4.
  • Ferritin levels ≤ 50 ng/mL may be indicative of early iron deficiency 6.

References

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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