ferritin

noun

fer·​ri·​tin ˈfer-ə-tən 

: a crystalline iron-containing protein that functions in the storage of iron and is found especially in the liver and spleen

Examples of ferritin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Research suggests that low ferritin, a protein that stores iron inside your cells, is associated with different forms of hair loss, including telogen effluvium, in women. — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026

Symptoms of low ferritin Besides pale skin and dark under-eye circles, other symptoms may signal that someone is lacking iron. — Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026

The standard threshold to flag iron deficiency is a ferritin level below 15 micrograms per liter, based on a single study from the 1990s. — Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026

More recent research published in The Lancet Global Health found that iron stores start depleting at ferritin levels around 40-50, meaning a woman can feel genuinely terrible at a ferritin of 20 and still be told everything is fine. — Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, alteration of ferratin, iron-containing protein, from Latin ferratus bound with iron (from ferrum) + International Scientific Vocabulary -in

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ferritin

• keratin
• cytokeratin
• samaritan

Medical Definition

ferritin

noun

fer·​ri·​tin ˈfer-ət-ən 

: a crystalline iron-containing protein that functions in the storage of iron and is found especially in the liver and spleen compare hemosiderin