In hemochromatosis, ferritin levels would be expected to be:

In hemochromatosis, ferritin levels would be expected to be increased due to the body's excessive iron accumulation. Hemochromatosis is characterized by an overload of iron in the tissues, leading to increased absorption of dietary iron. As iron stores build up, ferritin, which is a protein that stores and releases iron, becomes elevated as it reflects the increased iron burden in the body.

In normal physiology, ferritin serves as a marker of total body iron stores; when iron levels rise significantly, such as in conditions like hemochromatosis, ferritin levels rise correspondingly. Elevated ferritin can also have other clinical implications, such as indicating potential liver damage or inflammation, which are common complications in patients suffering from hemochromatosis. Therefore, in the context of this condition, an increase in ferritin is consistent with the pathological state of iron overload.