Maintaining optimal iron stores (ferritin levels) is crucial for fertility in both men and women. Dysfunctions in iron status and ferritin levels affect reproductive functions and overall health.

Ferritin and Fertility

One often overlooked factor in fertility is ferritin levels. Ferritin, a protein that stores iron in the body, plays a crucial role in overall health and can significantly impact fertility. Let's delve into how this happens, and what you can do to optimize your iron stores for a successful pregnancy.

What is Ferritin and Why is It Important?

Ferritin is the main storage protein for iron in the body. It helps regulate the release of iron in a controlled manner, ensuring that your body has enough to meet its needs without causing toxicity. Iron is essential for various bodily functions, including the production of red blood cells, energy metabolism, and immune system support. Maintaining optimal ferritin levels is critical for overall health and, importantly, for fertility.

If you are interested in learning more about ferritin and how it affects your health more generally, browse through our Wellness Hub for our library of articles and recommended reading.

Ferritin and Male Fertility

Iron plays a vital role in male fertility. Low iron status impacts sperm production (spermatogenesis), sperm function, and increases the risk of infertility in males by affecting hormone synthesis. Here’s how:

1. Spermatogenesis: Both low and excessive ferritin levels can impair the production of healthy sperm by impacting follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which stimulates sperm production (4). This leads to reduced sperm count and motility (3,4).
2. Sperm Quality: Iron deficiency can cause oxidative stress, damaging sperm DNA and affecting their ability to fertilize an egg (4).
3. Hormonal Balance: Iron levels significantly impact the functioning of the pituitary gland, where hormones are made, stored and released (3,4). Additionally, iron plays a role in hormone production, including testosterone, which is crucial for sperm production and libido, and FSH (3,4).

Ferritin and Female Fertility

Iron is especially important for female fertility. Adequate iron levels are necessary for regular ovulation, a healthy menstrual cycle, and the overall functioning of the reproductive system. Dysfunction in ferritin levels can cause (6,7): 

1. Irregular Menstruation and Ovulation: Women with low ferritin levels may experience irregular menstruation, ovulation, or anovulation (lack of ovulation), lowering fertility and making it difficult to conceive.
2. Poor Egg Quality: Lower ferritin levels can affect the viability of eggs, reducing the chances of successful fertilization and implantation, and increasing risk of miscarriage.
3. Hormonal Imbalance: Iron deficiency was associated with disrupted levels of key reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which are crucial for ovulation and maintaining pregnancy.
4. Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: Abnormal iron levels (both low and high) were associated with increased markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, which can further impair reproductive function.

Optimal Ferritin Levels for Fertility

The optimal ferritin level for fertility can vary, but generally, the recommended ferritin levels for health are between 30-200 ng/mL for women (8), and 30-300 ng/mL for men. Maintaining ferritin levels within the normal range is important for overall reproductive health (3,7). It's essential to get your ferritin levels checked if you're planning to conceive or experiencing fertility issues.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you're struggling to conceive and suspect that iron levels might be a factor, it's important to seek counsel from a physician. If you have any concerns about your ferritin levels or fertility, don't hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider or fertility specialist for personalized advice and support. A fertility specialist can provide comprehensive testing and tailored advice to address any underlying issues. If you are planning to conceive and are curious about your ferritin levels but don't want to visit a physician yet, our at-home Ferritin Test is the perfect solution to get this measure in minutes from the comfort of your own home.  

Disclaimer*

The reference ranges and insights presented in Chromacare Wellness Hub articles are meant to improve understanding and provide context, however you should consult with your physician for a formal interpretation of your own results. None of the information within these Chromacare blog posts are meant to be or should be taken as personal medical advice. 

References and Further Reading

Scientific Studies and Articles:

1. Plays, M., Müller, S., & Rodriguez, R. (2021). Chemistry and biology of ferritin. Metallomics, 13(5). https://doi.org/10.1093/mtomcs/mfab021
2. Knovich, M. A., Storey, J. A., Coffman, L. G., & Torti, S. V. (2009). Ferritin for the Clinician. Blood Reviews, 23(3), 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.blre.2008.08.001
3. Gabrielsen, J. S., Lamb, D. J., & Lipshultz, L. I. (2018). Iron and a man’s reproductive health: The good, the bad, and the ugly. Current Urology Reports, 19(8). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-018-0808-x
4. Rastegar Panah, M., Jarvi, K., Lo, K., & El-Sohemy, A. (2024). Biomarkers of iron are associated with anterior-pituitary-produced reproductive hormones in men with infertility. Nutrients, 16(2), 290. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16020290
5. Liu, Z., Ye, F., Zhang, H., Gao, Y., Tan, A., Zhang, S., Xiao, Q., Zhang, B., Huang, L., Ye, B., Qin, X., Wu, C., Lu, Z., Zhang, Y., Liao, M., Yang, X., & Mo, Z. (2013). The association between the levels of serum ferritin and sex hormones in a large scale of Chinese male population. PLoS ONE, 8(10). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0075908
6. Al-Katib, S. R., Al-Kaabi, M. M. H., Al-Bderi, A. J., & Ghasi Al-Safi, W. G. (2018). Effect of iron status on fertility of woman in relation with certain hormones and other parameters. Al-Kufa University Journal for Biology, 10(1), 38–49. https://doi.org/10.36320/ajb/v10.i1.8211
7. Zhang, J., Su, T., Fan, Y., Cheng, C., Xu, L., & Tian, L. (2024). Spotlight on iron overload and ferroptosis: Research progress in female infertility. Life Sciences, 340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122370
8. Ministry of Health. (2023, November 2). Iron deficiency – diagnosis and management. Province of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/practitioner-professional-resources/bc-guidelines/iron-deficiency