New standards for diagnosing iron deficiency

The American Society of Hematology announced new standards for categorizing ferritin levels, setting a higher threshold for diagnosing iron deficiency. The issue stated that an adult should have a ferritin level above 30 ng/mL as opposed to the familiar 15 ng/mL. It also stated that individuals who have heavy periods or are pregnant should have a ferritin level above 50 ng/mL.

Ferritin is what stores iron, and iron is used to make hemoglobin which is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

Iron deficiency can have negative effects on the brain, immune system, muscles, skin, hair and nails. Some symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, hair loss, weakness and difficulty concentrating.

Despite iron deficiency affecting approximately 2 billion people in the world, it remains underdiagnosed. Many standard blood tests don’t test for iron or ferritin levels.

Dr. Navid Javan, a physician in Family Care and Sports Medicine at Stanislaus State, is aware of ASH’s change in guidelines.

“Typically, the old standard was you don’t really check ferritin unless you have a high index suspicion for iron deficiency,” Javan said. “But most of the time, in the past, ferritin has been something you check if there’s a reflection on [Complete Blood Count].”

The Student Health Center Building taken on Oct. 29, 2026. ( Amal Khanshali ) Stanislaus State’s Health Center offers students a range of specialized blood tests, including an iron panel test for $13.50. Each Stan State student is charged $264 each semester in their tuition, $18 for the health facility fee and $246 for the health services fee.

Cindy Ponce (English, Sophomore) was not aware of the health services fee.

“I do have my own health provider, so that kind of makes me shy away from taking advantage of resources like that,” Ponce said. “But knowing that it is covered by tuition, it is like, whenever something were to come up, it’d definitely be something I’d consider.”

The Student Health Center sends all their labs through Quest, which places normal ferritin levels between 38-380 ng/mL for college-aged men and 16-154 ng/mL for college-aged women.

After giving an iron deficiency diagnosis, the Student Health Center counsels patients on an iron-rich diet. They also recommend things like cooking with cast iron and pairing iron supplements with vitamin C to help the iron absorb better.

Elissa Mendoza (Creative Media, Junior) has a history of iron deficiency. She said that she does not still take supplements for it.

Elissa Mendoza in the Vasché library on Oct. 28, 2026. ( Amal Khanshali ) “I used to have an iron deficiency, but now it’s gotten a lot better,” Mendoza said.

When asked how often these iron panels get ordered, Javan said he orders ferritin testing at least four or five times a week for his patients.

Javan stressed the importance of getting to the root cause of why someone may be iron deficient. If the patient is taking consistent oral supplements and still having a hard time absorbing it, then he will prescribe an iron IV.

“What is nice about these new guidelines is you capture more people in the diagnosis of iron deficiency,” Javan said. “You can hopefully help them get supplements before they have to experience the symptoms of low hemoglobin like anemia…They can receive treatment before they even get to that point.”

New standards for diagnosing iron deficiency

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