Is Ferritin ng/mL the Same as µg/L?
Yes — ferritin reported in ng/mL and µg/L is the same number. A nanogram per millilitre and a microgram per litre are mathematically identical because the mass unit and the volume unit both change by a factor of 1,000, so they cancel out.
Ferritin µg/L = Ferritin ng/mL So a ferritin of 45 ng/mL is exactly 45 µg/L. No multiplication is needed — only the unit label changes. This is the same 1:1 rule used by the general ng/mL to µg/L converter.
Ferritin ng/mL to pmol/L
Some research reports use pmol/L. To convert ferritin from ng/mL (or µg/L) to pmol/L, multiply by about 2.247:
Ferritin pmol/L = Ferritin ng/mL × 2.247 | ng/mL | µg/L | pmol/L |
|---|---|---|
| 15 ng/mL | 15 µg/L | 33.7 pmol/L |
| 30 ng/mL | 30 µg/L | 67.4 pmol/L |
| 100 ng/mL | 100 µg/L | 224.7 pmol/L |
| 300 ng/mL | 300 µg/L | 674.1 pmol/L |
Normal Ferritin Reference Ranges
Ferritin reference ranges vary widely by laboratory, age, and sex. Commonly cited educational bands are:
| Group / status | ng/mL | µg/L |
|---|---|---|
| Adult men | 30–400 ng/mL | 30–400 µg/L |
| Adult women (pre-menopause) | 15–150 ng/mL | 15–150 µg/L |
| Iron deficiency likely | Below 30 ng/mL | Below 30 µg/L |
| Iron deficiency highly specific | Below 15 ng/mL | Below 15 µg/L |
| Often elevated / overload or inflammation | Above ~300 ng/mL | Above ~300 µg/L |
What Low and High Ferritin Mean
Low ferritin reflects depleted iron stores. A value below 30 ng/mL suggests iron deficiency, and below 15 ng/mL is highly specific for it — often before anaemia appears. It pairs with low serum iron, high TIBC, and low transferrin saturation.
High ferritin is less specific. Because ferritin is an acute-phase reactant, it rises with inflammation, infection, liver disease, alcohol use, and some cancers — not only iron overload. A high ferritin with a high transferrin saturation points more toward iron overload (such as hemochromatosis), while a high ferritin with normal saturation often reflects inflammation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ferritin ng/mL the same as µg/L?
Yes. 1 ng/mL equals 1 µg/L exactly, so the number does not change.
How do you convert ferritin to pmol/L?
Multiply ng/mL by about 2.247. For example, 100 ng/mL is about 224.7 pmol/L.
What ferritin level means iron deficiency?
Below 30 ng/mL suggests iron deficiency; below 15 ng/mL is highly specific for it.
Can ferritin be high without iron overload?
Yes — ferritin rises with inflammation and infection, so a high value needs clinical context.
References
- Merck Manual Professional Edition — Iron Deficiency Anemia (ferritin and iron-studies interpretation).
- Ferritin ng/mL = µg/L (1:1); pmol/L factor ≈ 2.247 (standard clinical laboratory unit conversion).
Conclusion
Ferritin in ng/mL and µg/L is the same value, and pmol/L is a simple ×2.247 away. The real work is interpretation: low ferritin signals iron deficiency, while high ferritin can mean overload or inflammation. Read it with the rest of your iron studies and your healthcare provider.