In iron deficiency anemia, what is ferritin level?

• A. Normal ferritin
• B. Low ferritin
• C. High ferritin
• D. Variable ferritin not informative

Answer: (B)

Ferritin reflects stored iron in the body, so when iron stores are depleted as in iron deficiency anemia, the ferritin level falls. That low ferritin confirms that there isn’t enough iron stored to support red blood cell production. It’s worth noting that ferritin can rise with inflammation or infection because it’s also an acute-phase reactant, which can complicate interpretation in those contexts. In typical iron deficiency, you’d also expect low serum iron, high total iron-binding capacity, and low transferrin saturation, all fitting the pattern of depleted iron stores.