What are normal iron levels for females
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Normal Iron Levels for Females
Serum Ferritin Levels in Women
Serum ferritin is a key indicator of iron stores in the body. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines normal serum ferritin levels for women as ranging from 15 to 150 µg/L, with levels below 15 µg/L indicating iron deficiency . However, recent studies suggest that the threshold for iron deficiency in women, particularly those of reproductive age, should be higher. For instance, a study on female blood donors aged 20 to 49 years proposed a ferritin threshold of less than 25 µg/L for diagnosing iron deficiency .
Serum Iron and Hemoglobin Values
In a study involving 275 healthy women aged 17 to 86, the mean serum iron level was found to be 116 ± 33 µg%, and the mean hemoglobin level was 13.2 ± 0.9 g% . This study also noted that serum iron levels tend to decrease with age, although this decrease does not necessarily correlate with a reduction in hemoglobin levels or the onset of menopause .
Iron Requirements and Menstrual Blood Loss
Iron requirements in women, especially during adolescence and reproductive years, are significantly influenced by menstrual blood loss. Healthy women with normal menstrual cycles lose about 1 mg of iron per cycle, whereas women with menorrhagia (excessive menstrual blood loss) can lose up to 5.2 mg of iron per cycle, leading to a higher risk of iron deficiency . This is corroborated by findings that women with menorrhagia often have significantly lower serum ferritin levels compared to those with normal menstrual cycles .
Impact of Age and Body Mass Index (BMI) on Iron Levels
Iron storage in women is also influenced by age and BMI. A study on women aged 40 to 70 found that serum ferritin levels tend to increase with age and higher BMI values. Specifically, the median serum ferritin concentration in women aged 65 to 70 was nearly double that of women aged 45 to 50 . This suggests that while younger women are more prone to iron deficiency, older women may face issues related to iron overload.
Gender Differences in Ferritin and Hemoglobin
It is well-documented that women generally have lower ferritin and hemoglobin levels compared to men, largely due to menstrual blood loss and dietary factors . Studies have shown that a significant number of women in the Western world live in a state of negative iron balance, which is often accepted as normal despite potentially indicating widespread iron deficiency .
Conclusion
Normal iron levels for females, particularly in terms of serum ferritin, are generally considered to be between 15 and 150 µg/L, with a threshold of less than 25 µg/L indicating iron deficiency in women of reproductive age. Serum iron levels average around 116 µg%, and hemoglobin levels are typically around 13.2 g%. Factors such as age, BMI, and menstrual blood loss significantly influence these levels, highlighting the need for tailored approaches in assessing and managing iron status in women.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic