Normal Reference Ranges
Adult
5 - 29 (highly assay dependent) ng/mL
Pediatric
N/A ng/mL
Clinical Significance
Master iron regulatory hormone. Hepcidin is upregulated by IL-6 during inflammation, blocking ferroportin and trapping iron in macrophages, leading to anemia of chronic disease.
Causes of High
- Anemia of chronic disease (chronic inflammation/infection)
- Iron overload states
Causes of Low
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Increased erythropoietic activity