Awanui Labs will be updating the reference intervals for serum ferritin effective 5 October 2026.
This change reflects evolving international practice and increasing recognition that ferritin concentrations between 15 and 30 µg/L may be associated with reduced iron stores and clinically relevant iron deficiency, even in the absence of anaemia. The change will reduce the likelihood of patients with low iron stores being classified as having a ferritin concentration within the reference interval.
Ferritin remains the preferred laboratory marker for assessing iron stores. Results should be interpreted in the clinical context, particularly as ferritin is an acute-phase reactant and concentrations may be increased in the presence of inflammation, infection, liver disease and other conditions.
Updated ferritin reference intervals
| Age | Female (µg/L) | Male (µg/L) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 –<5 months | 15–400 | 15–400 |
| 5 months – <1 year | 15–80 | 15–80 |
| 1 – <15 years | 15–150 | 15–150 |
| 15 – <20 years | 15–170 | 15–170 |
| 20 – <30 years | 30–170 | 30–320 |
| 30 – <40 years | 30–190 | 30–400 |
| ≥40 years | 30–380 | 30–450 |
The reference interval change will align all laboratories across the Awanui network. The updated reference intervals will apply to ferritin results from 5 October 2026. Previous results will retain the reference intervals applicable at the time of testing.
Please contact the laboratory for more information or assistance with interpretation of ferritin results.
Melissa Yssel & Owen J Wiese
Chemical Pathologists
Awanui Labs