✓Standard Care

Is Ferritin Testing Worth It?

Iron deficiency is Australia's most common nutritional deficiency—and it depletes your stores long before you become anaemic. With 35% of young Australian women having low ferritin, this test catches the problem while it's still easy to fix.

Published 8 January 2026 · Updated 19 January 2026 · 10 min read

35%

of young Australian women have ferritin <30 μg/L—many unaware until fatigue becomes debilitating

Source: [1]

The Short Answer

Yes—for the right people, this is one of the most actionable tests you can do. Ferritin testing is guideline-backed for high-risk groups: menstruating women, pregnant women, vegetarians, athletes, and frequent blood donors. Unlike many tests with ambiguous results, low ferritin has a clear solution (iron supplementation or dietary changes) that genuinely improves energy.^[1][2]

Why Ferritin Matters

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body—think of it as your iron savings account. While haemoglobin (in your red blood cells) is the iron you're actively using for oxygen transport, ferritin represents your reserves.

Here's the crucial point: ferritin drops before you become anaemic. By the time your haemoglobin falls (the definition of anaemia), you've already been running on empty for months. Ferritin is the early warning system.

Iron Deficiency vs Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Iron deficiency: Low ferritin, but haemoglobin still normal. You're depleting stores. Symptoms can occur—fatigue, hair loss, poor concentration.
Iron deficiency anaemia: Low ferritin AND low haemoglobin. Stores exhausted, now affecting red blood cell production. More severe symptoms.

Testing ferritin catches the problem at stage 1, when it's easiest to correct.

The Australian Picture (2024 Data)

Iron deficiency is common—far more common than most people realise:

Australian Iron Deficiency Statistics

35% of young Australian women have ferritin <30 μg/L (NSW: 41%, Victoria: 31%)^[1]
15% of non-pregnant women of reproductive age have anaemia (iron deficiency is the major cause)^[3]
52% of reproductive-aged women in one community study were diagnosed with iron deficiency or anaemia in the past 2 years^[3]
28% of women report heavy menstrual bleeding—half of whom are iron deficient^[3]
22% of pregnant women are iron deficient
50% of pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have iron deficiency anaemia^[3]

Signs You Might Benefit from Testing

Iron deficiency symptoms are often gradual and easy to dismiss as 'just being tired.' Many people adapt to low energy without realising their baseline has shifted:

Persistent fatigue

Reduced exercise tolerance

Brain fog and poor concentration

Feeling cold

Hair loss and brittle nails

Shortness of breath, palpitations

Who Should Consider Testing?

The RACGP and 2024 MJA guidelines recommend ferritin testing for people with symptoms or those in high-risk groups:^[2][4]

Risk Factor	Why It Matters
Menstruating women	Monthly blood loss depletes iron—average loss of 30-40mg per cycle. Heavy periods double the risk.
Pregnant women	Iron requirements increase significantly (27mg/day vs 18mg/day). Deficiency affects both mother and baby.
Vegetarians/vegans	Plant-based iron (non-haem) is absorbed at 2-20% vs 15-35% for meat-based iron. Requires careful dietary planning.
Endurance athletes	Foot-strike haemolysis, GI microbleeding, sweat losses, and increased demand deplete stores. Up to 40% of female athletes affected.
Frequent blood donors	Each whole blood donation removes ~200-250mg iron. Australian Red Cross now routinely tests ferritin for donors.^[4]
Gut conditions	Coeliac disease, Crohn's, IBD, H. pylori, and gastric surgery reduce iron absorption.
Heavy menstrual bleeding	Affects 28% of women; half have iron deficiency as a result.^[3]

Understanding Your Results

Ferritin is measured in micrograms per litre (μg/L). Laboratory reference ranges vary, but here's how to interpret your result:^[2][4]

Below 15 μg/LSevere deficiency

Iron stores exhausted. High likelihood of symptoms. Supplementation essential—may need iron infusion for faster repletion.

15-30 μg/LLow/depleted

Stores depleted. Symptoms common. Oral iron supplementation typically recommended with dietary optimisation.

30-50 μg/LLow-normal

In the grey zone. Lab 'normal' but symptoms can occur—especially in women and athletes. Consider supplementation if symptomatic.

50-100 μg/LAdequate

Healthy stores for most people. Athletes and functional medicine practitioners often prefer this range minimum.

100-300 μg/LOptimal/replete

Well-stocked iron reserves. Optimal for athletes and those with high demand. Upper limit varies by sex.

Above 300 μg/L (women) / 400 μg/L (men)Elevated

May indicate iron overload (haemochromatosis), inflammation, liver disease, or infection. Requires investigation—do not supplement.

The Inflammation Caveat

Ferritin is an acute phase reactant. It rises with inflammation, infection, liver disease, and malignancy—potentially masking iron deficiency. If you have elevated CRP or known inflammatory conditions, your GP may check additional markers (transferrin saturation, soluble transferrin receptor) for accurate iron status assessment.^[4]

Special Considerations: Athletes

If you're a serious endurance athlete, standard 'normal' ferritin ranges may not serve you well:

Standard Lab 'Normal'

Ferritin 15-300 μg/L (varies by lab)
Focus on preventing clinical anaemia
30 μg/L considered 'adequate'
Doesn't account for athletic demand

Athletic Performance Ranges

Minimum 50 μg/L recommended^[5]
Optimal 50-130 μg/L for performance^[5]
Functional deficiency: 30-99 μg/L^[5]
Female athletes: <50 is a red flag^[5]

Research shows: Female rowers with ferritin <20 μg/L were 21 seconds slower over 2km than those with normal levels—despite having normal haemoglobin.^[5] Iron affects performance before it affects your blood count.

Why Athletes Are Different

Foot-strike haemolysis: Repetitive impact (running) destroys red blood cells
GI microbleeding: High-intensity exercise can cause microscopic intestinal bleeding
Sweat losses: Small but cumulative iron loss through perspiration
Increased demand: Higher red blood cell turnover and myoglobin requirements
Dilutional effect: Expanded plasma volume can lower apparent ferritin concentrations

If you're training seriously, consider athlete-specific ferritin targets.^[5]

GP vs Functional Medicine: Two Valid Perspectives

GPs and functional medicine practitioners often have different thresholds for what's 'optimal.' Neither is wrong—they're operating from different frameworks:

Conventional GP Approach

Test when symptoms present or risk factors exist
Reference range: typically 15-300 μg/L
Treat when ferritin <30 μg/L with symptoms
Focus on preventing/treating anaemia
Evidence-based, conservative threshold

Functional Medicine Approach

Proactive testing even without symptoms
'Optimal' ferritin: often 70-100+ μg/L
May suggest supplementation at higher thresholds
Focus on optimal energy and wellbeing
Considers ferritin with B12, folate, thyroid

What to Expect from Your GP

Good news: Ferritin is a guideline-backed test with clear clinical pathways. Your GP will know exactly what to do:^[2][4]

Low ferritin (<30 μg/L): Iron supplementation (usually oral tablets), investigate cause (diet, absorption, blood loss)
Very low (<15 μg/L) or severe symptoms: May warrant iron infusion for faster repletion
Normal ferritin with symptoms: Look at other causes (thyroid, B12, sleep, depression)
Elevated ferritin: Investigate for haemochromatosis, inflammation, liver disease
Medicare rebate: Covered when ordered with clinical indication

Is It Worth the Cost?

✗ Probably Skip If...

You have no symptoms and no risk factors
Your ferritin was normal in the last 6-12 months
You're already on iron supplementation (your GP is monitoring)
You're male with a balanced diet and no gut issues or blood loss

✓ Worth Considering If...

Persistent fatigue that doesn't improve with rest
Heavy menstrual periods (>80ml per cycle, clots, >7 days)
Vegetarian/vegan diet^[2]^[2]
Endurance athlete (running, cycling, swimming, triathlon)
Pregnant or planning pregnancy
Frequent blood donor (Australian Red Cross now tests donors routinely)^[4]
Hair loss or brittle nails with fatigue
Gut condition affecting absorption (coeliac, Crohn's, IBD)

The Bottom Line

Ferritin testing is one of the most actionable tests you can do—if you're in the right group.

With 35% of young Australian women having low ferritin, this isn't a rare problem. If you're menstruating, pregnant, vegetarian, an athlete, or a blood donor, ferritin testing provides genuinely useful information that leads to a clear solution: iron supplementation or dietary changes that measurably improve energy.

Unlike many tests with ambiguous results, low ferritin has a straightforward fix. And unlike waiting for anaemia, catching depleted stores early means faster recovery and less severe symptoms.

The question isn't whether ferritin testing works—it's whether you're in a group that benefits. If you are, it's arguably the best value test for energy and wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, ferritin testing is covered by Medicare when ordered by a GP with clinical indication—meaning you have symptoms of iron deficiency or belong to a high-risk group. Routine screening without symptoms may not be covered, but most at-risk people have a legitimate clinical indication.

If you're at high risk (menstruating, vegetarian, athlete), annual testing is reasonable. If you're on iron supplements, your GP will typically recheck ferritin 3-6 months after starting treatment to ensure stores are repleting. Once levels are stable, less frequent monitoring is needed.

Most laboratories define low ferritin as below 30 μg/L, though some use 15-20 μg/L. However, symptoms can occur even with 'normal' ferritin in the 30-50 range—especially in women and athletes. For athletes, research suggests ferritin below 50 μg/L may impair performance even without anaemia. Functional medicine practitioners often aim for 70-100+ μg/L.

Yes. Elevated ferritin (>300 μg/L in women, >400 μg/L in men) can indicate iron overload (haemochromatosis, a genetic condition), inflammation, liver disease, or infection. High ferritin warrants investigation by your GP. Importantly: never supplement iron without testing first—iron overload is dangerous.

Ferritin alone is often sufficient for screening iron stores in healthy people. Full iron studies (ferritin, serum iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation) are more useful when investigating anaemia, suspected iron overload, or when ferritin is confusingly elevated (which happens with inflammation). Your GP will advise based on your situation.

With oral iron supplementation, expect ferritin to increase by roughly 10-20 μg/L per month—meaning it can take 3-6 months to replete stores. Iron infusions work faster, raising ferritin significantly within 1-2 weeks. Response depends on absorption, dosing, and whether ongoing losses continue (e.g., heavy periods).

As of 2023-2024, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood implemented routine ferritin testing for all blood donors. Each donation removes 200-250mg of iron, and frequent donors (especially premenopausal women) are at high risk of depletion. Donors with low ferritin are now deferred and advised to supplement before returning. This protects donor health while maintaining blood supply quality.

Disclaimer:This information is educational only and not medical advice. Results should be interpreted by your health practitioner in the context of your symptoms and health history. Treatment decisions should be made with your doctor or specialist.