Brief Answer:
Normal levels of ferritin in females in 10-291 ng/mL.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.

The normal range for ferritin in females 10-291 ng/mL.
Please mention the units of ferritin level that you have mentioned for interpretation.

Thanks
Dr Shailja Puri

---

Brief Answer:
The iron stores are still low at 12 ng/mL so iron supplements required.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,

I am sorry the units are not specified. If you have a copy of the report, please upload it here. This will allow me to have an useful discussion.

In the absence of units, I assume the values are in ng/ml. Accordingly, the ferritin level at 12 ng/mL is still at lower end of the normal range.
The iron stores are still deplete.
ferritin is the storage form of iron.
Low ferritin level indicate that iron stores in body are very low.
in this situation, iron supplements are required at least for three months or till the iron stores or ferritin levels come back to normal.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

---

Brief Answer:
Decreased iron intake & decreased iron absorption can cause iron deficiency

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Iron stores are low due to decreased iron in diet, decreased iron absorption from intestine or increased blood loss from body.
Iron is lost during menstruation and it is one of the cause of iron deficiency anemia if enough iron is not taken through diet or there is increased loss from body.
Iron supplements increase the dietary intake and thus help in correcting the iron deficiency state.
If the iron stores are not corrected despite taking iron supplements, then there is possibility of malabsorption or decreased absorption of iron through intestine.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

---

Brief Answer:
Can you upload the report if possible...

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,

Assuming the units are in ng/ml, ferritin of 12 is quite low. I wish if you can upload the report. This will allow me to confirm the lab's unit of measurements.

Iron supplementation is required to increase the serum ferritin levels.

Thanks
Dr Shailja Puri

PS: Since various laboratory have different standard unit of measurement, it's important to know the unit of measurement.

---

Brief Answer:
Yes, iron supplements will improve ferritin levels.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,

Its al-right if you cannot upload the report but please ensure that the units of your ferritin level is ng/mL.
As I have mentioned before that different laboratories have different reference ranges but a level of 12 ng/mL is definitely low for any laboratory.
You need to take iron supplements under supervision of your doctor and get the ferritin level repeated after 2-3 months.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

---

Brief Answer:
Yes low ferritin is responsible for tiredness, hair fall, pain, ache etc.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Yes, even at level of 12 ng/mL, the value is quite low and requires treatment.
Low ferritin is seen in iron deficiency and it manifests in the form of weakness, tiredness, aches, pains and hair fall.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

---