Why is ferritin low but normal hemoglobin?

Ferritin and hemoglobin are two separate measurements that reflect different aspects of iron status. Ferritin measures the body's iron stores, while hemoglobin measures the concentration of the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. In cases where ferritin is low but hemoglobin is normal, it may suggest early-stage iron deficiency. The body can maintain normal hemoglobin levels by utilizing existing iron stores, but the stores themselves may become depleted. Monitoring ferritin levels can help detect iron deficiency before it progresses to anemia.