# Iron Store Estimator (Ferritin)

Estimate total body iron stores from serum ferritin. Size-independent rule: stored iron (mg) ≈ ferritin (µg/L) × 10. Body-weight estimate (better across body habitus): stored iron (mg) ≈ ferritin × weight(kg) × 0.0024 (Walters 1973). Adult ferritin reference: men ~30–300 µg/L, women ~15–150 µg/L. Ferritin < 30 µg/L (men) or < 15 µg/L (women) strongly indicates iron deficiency; < 100 µg/L in an inflammatory state does not exclude it. Ferritin > 300 µg/L (men) / > 200 µg/L (women) with TSAT > 45–50% suggests iron overload (hereditary hemochromatosis, dysmetabolic iron overload, iron-loading anemias, transfusions, chronic liver disease); > 1000 µg/L warrants evaluation of hemochromatosis, iron-loading anemias, or hyperferritinemic syndromes. Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant — interpret with TSAT and CRP. Derived from Camaschella 2019, Adams NEJM 2005, and WHO 2020. Not medical advice.

> Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/ferritin-store-estimator

- **Category:** Health

- **Keywords:** ferritin, iron stores, iron deficiency, iron overload, hemochromatosis, anemia, acute phase reactant, stored iron, hematology

## Overview

The Iron Store Estimator uses serum ferritin to estimate stored body iron in milligrams. Choose a size-independent calculation or an optional body-weight method, and review the ferritin category using sex-specific adult reference thresholds. This tool is for estimation only and is not medical advice.

## Inputs

- **Serum Ferritin (µg/L)** (number): Serum ferritin in µg/L (equivalent to ng/mL). Adult reference: men ~30–300, women ~15–150.
- **Body Weight (kg)** (number): Body weight in kg. Optional; required only for the body-weight estimation method.
- **Sex** (select): Used to select sex-specific ferritin reference thresholds (men 30–300, women 15–150 µg/L).
- **Estimation Method** (select): Size-independent rule (stored iron ≈ ferritin × 10) or body-weight rule (ferritin × weight × 0.0024).
- **Decimal Places** (number)

## When to use

- Estimate stored iron from a measured serum ferritin value.
- Compare the size-independent and body-weight estimation methods when body weight is available.
- Review whether ferritin is low, within the stated adult reference range, or elevated based on the selected sex.

## How it works

- Enter serum ferritin in µg/L; this unit is equivalent to ng/mL.
- Optionally enter body weight, select sex for reference thresholds, and choose an estimation method.
- The size-independent method calculates stored iron as ferritin × 10.
- The body-weight method calculates stored iron as ferritin × weight × 0.0024 and rounds the result to the selected decimal places.

## Use cases

- Estimate depleted iron stores when ferritin is below the stated adult reference threshold.
- Calculate an approximate stored-iron value for tracking ferritin results over time.
- Flag elevated ferritin for further interpretation alongside TSAT, CRP, and relevant clinical information.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does this calculator estimate?

It estimates stored body iron in milligrams from a serum ferritin result.

### Which ferritin unit should I enter?

Enter serum ferritin in µg/L, which is numerically equivalent to ng/mL.

### Do I need to enter body weight?

No. Weight is optional and is required only for the body-weight estimation method.

### How are ferritin results categorized?

The tool uses sex-specific thresholds: deficiency is strongly indicated below 30 µg/L in men or 15 µg/L in women; higher values may be categorized as elevated.

### Can ferritin alone diagnose iron overload or deficiency?

No. Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant, so results should be interpreted with clinical context and tests such as TSAT and CRP.

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