Ferritin 7.8 means : Is it normal, good, bad or dangerous
In this article we discuss what a Ferritin of 7.8 means, together with its causes, and whether it is good, bad or normal. We also look into the significance of Ferritin 7.8 in pregnancy.
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?
To measure ferritin, a blood sample is taken, with fasting recommended for preparation. In labs, techniques like radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are frequently utilized to accurately quantify ferritin levels and assess iron status.
What are the causes of ferritin of 7.8?
Ferritin of 7.8 have different causes, as listed below.
Hereditary Hemochromatosis
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes excessive iron absorption, leading to iron overload and subsequent low serum ferritin levels.
Inflammatory Conditions
Chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus can interfere with iron metabolism, resulting in low serum ferritin levels.
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.
Thyroid Disorders
Conditions like hypothyroidism can affect iron metabolism, resulting in low serum ferritin levels and contributing to iron deficiency.
Liver Diseases
Conditions like chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis can impact iron storage in the liver, leading to low serum ferritin levels.
Autoimmune Atrophic Gastritis
Autoimmune atrophic gastritis is a condition where the immune system damages the stomach lining, affecting iron absorption and contributing to low serum ferritin levels.
Medications
Certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors or antacids, can interfere with iron absorption, leading to low serum ferritin levels.
Chronic Infections
Persistent infections, such as tuberculosis or HIV, can contribute to chronic inflammation, leading to low serum ferritin levels.
Inadequate Dietary Iron Intake
Low consumption of iron-rich foods, such as red meat, poultry, fish, or iron-fortified foods, can lead to insufficient iron levels and a decline in serum ferritin.
Hookworm Infection
Parasitic infections, including hookworms, can cause chronic blood loss and iron deficiency, leading to low serum ferritin levels.
What is the normal range of Ferritin and how is a Ferritin of 7.8 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?
| Age Range |
Reference Range (ug/L) |
Is your child deficient? |
| 4 to 15 days |
99.6 - 717.0 |
If your child is aged between 4 days - 15 days, a ferritin level of 7.8 is lower than normal. |
| 15 days to 6 months |
14.0 - 647.2 |
If your child is aged between 15 days - 6 months, a ferritin level of 7.8 is lower than normal. |
| 6 months to 1 year |
8.4 - 181.9 |
If your child is aged between 6 months - 1 year, a ferritin level of 7.8 is lower than normal. |
| 1 to 5 years |
5.3 - 99.9 |
If your child is aged between 1 year - 5 years, a ferritin level of 7.8 is within normal limits |
| 5 to 14 years |
13.7 - 78.8 |
If your child is aged between 5 years - 14 years, a ferritin level of 7.8 is lower than normal. |
What are the normal ranges of ferritin in pregnancy?
| Range |
Inference |
Ferritin : 7.8 |
| <12 |
Low Ferritin - Anemia |
You are here |
| 12 to 45 |
Normal Ferritin |
|
| More than 45 |
High Ferritin - Could lead to diabetes in pregnancy |
|
What are the normal ranges in adult men?
| Range |
Inference |
Ferritin : 7.8 |
| <15 |
Low Ferritin - Anemia |
You are here |
| >15 - 35 |
Below Normal but not anemia |
|
| 35 - 220 |
Normal |
|
| >220 |
Higher than normal |
|
What are the normal ranges in adult women?
| Range |
Inference |
Ferritin : 7.8 |
| <15 |
Low Ferritin - Anemia |
You are here |
| 15 to 136 |
Normal Ferritin |
|
| More than 136 |
High Ferritin |
|
What does a ferritin level of 7.8 mean?
A level of ferritin 7.8 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 7.8 means that you dont have sufficient iron stores.
Is ferritin 7.8 good?
Ferritin 7.8 is not good, and you have a high chance of being deficient in iron.
Is ferritin 7.8 bad?
Ferritin 7.8 is not healthy and may be accompanied by iron deficiency
Is ferritin 7.8 dangerous?
Ferritin 7.8 while not classifiable as dangerous, can pose risks to you depending on other factors.
Is ferritin 7.8 low?
Ferritin 7.8 is quite low and will likely be accompanied by symptoms of fatigue and tiredness.
What foods will help increase a ferritin of 7.8?
The following list of foods can help boost ferritin levels of 7.8. 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.
Lentils, boiled and drained
Consider getting upto ½ cup per day.
Mushrooms, white, sliced and stir-fried
Consider getting upto ½ cup per day.
Rice, brown, long or medium grain, cooked
Consider getting upto 1 cup per day.
Cheese, cheddar
Consider getting upto 1.5 ounces per day.
Chickpeas, boiled and drained
Consider getting upto ½ cup per day.
Suggest a weekly diet plan for increasing ferritin levels of 7.8
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 7.8
| Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
| Breakfast cereal fortified with 100% DV for iron |
Chickpeas (boiled and drained, ½ cup) |
Oysters, eastern, cooked with moist heat, 3 ounces |
Tuesday
Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 7.8
| Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
| White beans, canned, 1 cup |
Chocolate, dark, 45%–69% cacao solids, 1 ounce |
Spinach (boiled and drained, ½ cup) |
Wednesday
Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 7.8
| Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
| Lentils (boiled and drained, ½ cup) |
Chickpeas (boiled and drained, ½ cup) |
Oysters, eastern, cooked with moist heat, 3 ounces |
Thursday
Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 7.8
| Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
| Breakfast cereal fortified with 100% DV for iron |
Spinach (boiled and drained, ½ cup) |
Sardines, Atlantic, canned in oil, drained solids with bone, 3 ounces |
Friday
Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 7.8
| Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
| Tofu (firm, ½ cup) |
Spinach (boiled and drained, ½ cup) |
Sardines, Atlantic, canned in oil, drained solids with bone, 3 ounces |
Saturday
Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 7.8
| Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
| White beans, canned, 1 cup |
Tomato (canned, stewed, ½ cup) |
Oysters, eastern, cooked with moist heat, 3 ounces |
Sunday
Diet Plan to improve ferritin of 7.8
| Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
| Tofu (firm, ½ cup) |
Cashew nuts, oil roasted, 1 ounce (18 nuts) |
Turkey, roasted, breast meat and skin, 3 ounces |
What are some symptoms of a ferritin of 7.8 ?
A ferritin of 7.8 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
Irritability
Feeling easily annoyed or agitated
Heart palpitations
Sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat
Hair loss
Experiencing hair thinning or shedding
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing or feeling breathless
Poor appetite
Reduced desire to eat or loss of appetite
Headaches
Frequent or severe headaches
Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances
Desire to eat items with no nutritional value
Pica
Eating non-food items like ice, dirt, or clay
Frequent infections
Increased susceptibility to infections
By: Dr.Bhargav Raut