Ferritin Blood Test
Reviewed
Also called: Serum ferritin, Ferritin level, Ferritin serum
A ferritin blood test measures the level of ferritin in your blood. Ferritin is a protein that binds to iron and stores it in your body.
Specimen: Blood
Why this test may be ordered
- Investigating possible iron deficiency or overload
- Assessing anaemia with other tests
- Monitoring an iron-related condition or treatment
Preparation and collection
Your provider may ask you to fast (not eat or drink) for 12 hours before your test. The test is usually done in the morning.
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. This usually takes less than five minutes.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
A ferritin blood test can show how much iron you have stored in your body.
What does low ferritin mean?
Low ferritin: Lower than normal ferritin levels may mean you have iron deficiency anemia, or another condition related to low iron levels. Limitation: Certain medicines can decrease or increase your ferritin levels. Next step: If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.What does high ferritin mean?
High ferritin: Higher than normal ferritin levels can be caused by having too much iron in your body. Other conditions that may cause increased ferritin levels include: inflammation (like from infection or surgery), an autoimmune disorder, liver disease. Limitation: If your ferritin results are not normal, it does not always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Next step: If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.
- Inflammation, infection, liver disease, and some cancers can raise ferritin, so a result that is not low does not always exclude iron deficiency.
- Laboratory intervals vary and pregnancy or chronic disease changes interpretation.
What to do next
If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider. Most conditions that cause too little or too much iron can be successfully treated with medicines, diet, and/or other therapies.
- Which reference interval and units apply to my result?
- Could medicines, supplements, illness, or sample timing affect this result?
- Do I need a repeat test or another test before any conclusion is made?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.