Ferritin 5.9 means : Is it normal, good, bad or dangerous

Published Date : 2024-04-03T19:24:21.681Z

Updated Date : 2024-04-03T19:24:21.681+00:00

What is Ferritin?

Ferritin is a crucial protein that stores iron in your body. It is produced primarily in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Iron-rich foods like beef, lentils, and leafy greens contribute to ferritin levels. Its function is to store iron safely, releasing it when your body requires iron for activities like oxygen transport and energy production.

How is Ferritin measured?

Measuring ferritin involves a blood test, often after fasting. Preparation is key for accurate results. Labs utilize techniques like enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or chemiluminescence to analyze blood samples and assess ferritin levels precisely.

What are the causes of ferritin of 5.9?

Ferritin of 5.9 have different causes, as listed below.

Malabsorption Disorders

Conditions like celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or inflammatory bowel disease can impair the absorption of iron, contributing to low serum ferritin levels.

Intravenous Iron Therapy

While rare, excessive iron supplementation through intravenous therapy can lead to iron overload and low serum ferritin levels.

Hookworm Infection

Parasitic infections, including hookworms, can cause chronic blood loss and iron deficiency, leading to low serum ferritin levels.

Pregnancy

Increased iron demand during pregnancy may result in low serum ferritin levels if dietary intake is not adequately supplemented to meet the heightened requirements.

Inflammatory Conditions

Chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus can interfere with iron metabolism, resulting in low serum ferritin levels.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Surgical procedures that alter the digestive system, such as gastric bypass surgery, can impact iron absorption, leading to low serum ferritin levels.

Vegetarian or Vegan Diets

Vegetarian or vegan diets may lack sufficient heme iron, contributing to lower iron absorption and resulting in low serum ferritin levels.

Menstrual Blood Loss

Excessive menstrual bleeding in women can lead to iron deficiency and low serum ferritin levels, particularly if dietary iron intake is insufficient.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Chronic bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, often from conditions like peptic ulcers or colorectal cancer, can result in iron loss and low serum ferritin levels.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common cause of low serum ferritin levels, indicating a shortage of iron to produce sufficient hemoglobin. This condition often results from inadequate iron intake or absorption.

What is the normal range of Ferritin and how is a Ferritin of 5.9 graded?

Normal Ranges of Ferritin vary according to the age and gender. The ranges are considerably different in adults, children and pregnant women. Refer to the tables below for your exact range.

What are the normal ranges in children?

Reference : Ferritin normal ranges in children.

What are the normal ranges of ferritin in pregnancy?

Reference : Ferritin and Anemia in PregnancyGestational Diabetes Mellitus and relation to Ferritin

What are the normal ranges in adult men?

Reference : Ferritin Reference Ranges in Adults

What are the normal ranges in adult women?

Reference : Ferritin Reference Ranges in Adults

What does a ferritin level of 5.9 mean?

A level of ferritin 5.9 is considered to be below normal, and it means that your body has insufficient stores of iron. Ferritin is the storage form of iron in the human body and its value typically reflects how much iron we have. A value of 5.9 means that you dont have sufficient iron stores.

Is ferritin 5.9 good?

Ferritin 5.9 is not good, and you have a high chance of being deficient in iron.

Is ferritin 5.9 bad?

Ferritin 5.9 is not healthy and may be accompanied by iron deficiency

Is ferritin 5.9 dangerous?

Ferritin 5.9 while not classifiable as dangerous, can pose risks to you depending on other factors.

Is ferritin 5.9 low?

Ferritin 5.9 is quite low and will likely be accompanied by symptoms of fatigue and tiredness.

What foods will help increase a ferritin of 5.9?

The following list of foods can help boost ferritin levels of 5.9. However, it is important to remember that

Breakfast cereals, fortified with 100% of the DV for iron

Consider getting upto 1 serving per day.

Oysters, eastern, cooked with moist heat

Consider getting upto 3 ounces per day.

White beans, canned

Consider getting upto 1 cup per day.

Beef liver, pan-fried

Consider getting upto 3 ounces per day.

Turkey, roasted, breast meat and skin

Consider getting upto 3 ounces per day.

Bread, whole wheat

Consider getting upto 1 slice per day.

Tofu, firm

Consider getting upto ½ cup per day.

Kidney beans, canned

Consider getting upto ½ cup per day.

Egg, hard-boiled

Consider getting upto 1 large per day.

Suggest a weekly diet plan for increasing ferritin levels of 5.9

Low levels of ferritin cannot be managed by diet alone. More often that not, iron supplments are required. Consult your doctor for appropriate medical advice. The following diet plans may help to supplement iron in your food.

Monday

Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 5.9

Tuesday

Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 5.9

Wednesday

Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 5.9

Thursday

Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 5.9

Friday

Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 5.9

Saturday

Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 5.9

Sunday

Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 5.9

What are some symptoms of a ferritin of 5.9 ?

A ferritin of 5.9 will usually show symptoms of iron deficiency. These will include various symptoms including those listed below.

Restless legs syndrome

Uncomfortable sensations in the legs, especially at night

Headaches

Frequent or severe headaches

Pica

Eating non-food items like ice, dirt, or clay

Weakness

Decreased strength and stamina

Hair loss

Experiencing hair thinning or shedding

Shortness of breath

Difficulty breathing or feeling breathless

Heart palpitations

Sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat

Cold hands and feet

Extremities feeling cold to touch

Difficulty concentrating

Finding it hard to focus or concentrate

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Feeling faint or dizzy