РусскийEnglishEspañol — próximamenteFrançais — bientôtDeutsch — in VorbereitungItaliano — in arrivoAll languages
Hepcidin
The liver hormone that masters iron metabolism — it gates both absorption and release from stores. A marker for distinguishing anemias.
Other names: Hepcidin, hepcidin-25Section: Iron status
Updated: August 31, 2026·MedProtect editorial team Reference information — not a diagnosis or a prescription
In shortHepcidin closes the iron gate: high levels block intestinal absorption and lock iron inside storage cells, low levels open access. Approximate references are 6.3–46.1 ng/mL (6.3–46.1 µg/L) for men and 3.4–24.8 ng/mL (3.4–24.8 µg/L) for women, strongly method-dependent. It helps tell true deficiency from inflammation-driven iron blockade.
Reference ranges
Group
Reference range
Men — typical range (international reference, not a national standard)
6.32–46.06 ng/mL (6.32–46.06 µg/L)
Women — typical range (international reference, not a national standard)
3.44–24.78 ng/mL (3.44–24.78 µg/L)
Ranges from a reference-interval study (international reference, not a national standard); values depend strongly on the assay. The report's own reference applies. Reference ranges vary between laboratories and assays — use the range printed on your own lab report.
Check your value
Enter the number from your lab report — see how it compares with the typical range. Mind the units shown in the chosen row.
A rough comparison with a typical range, not a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary between laboratories — check the range on your own report and let a clinician interpret the result.
What this marker is
In inflammation hepcidin rises — the body hides iron from bacteria — and iron becomes unavailable for blood formation even when stores are full. In iron deficiency and hypoxia, hepcidin falls to let more iron through.
This makes the test valuable in complex anemia: low hepcidin means true deficiency (iron therapy can work), high hepcidin means a functional blockade that iron pills will not fix.
When it is high
Anemia of chronic diseaseInflammation stimulates hepcidin — iron is locked in stores and unavailable for blood formation.
Kidney failureReduced clearance raises the level.
When it is low
Iron deficiencyLow hepcidin opens absorption — the body tries to replenish stores.
Hereditary hemochromatosisFaulty hepcidin regulation leads to excessive iron absorption.
What can skew the result
These factors can shift the value without any disease — worth considering before a retest:
Inflammation (raises)Iron deficiency (lowers)Kidney functionTime of day
How to prepare
Morning fasting sample; drawn together with the iron panel and CRP.
When a retest makes sense
As the hematologist advises, together with the iron panel and CRP.
Who usually reviews this result
A result outside the reference range is usually reviewed by: a hematologist; your GP or primary care doctor for the first step. Bring your lab report and any previous results to the appointment.
Names used on lab reports
Your report may use any of these names: HepcidinHepcidin-25
Units and conversion
Measured in: ng/mL
ng/mL=µg/L
1 ng/mL = 1 µg/L — the number stays the same. Results are rounded to 2 decimal places.
Several markers on your report?
See how MedProtect explains results in the app: the whole report, a check of the recognized values, and a clear breakdown.
We use cookies and Yandex.Metrika for visit statistics — no advertising tracking and no session recording. The counter loads only after your consent. Privacy policy.