Your body relies on iron to carry oxygen to its cells. Without
enough iron, your cells can starve for oxygen, causing a number of
unpleasant symptoms. Too much iron can also result in uncomfortable
symptoms. Both high and low iron levels may indicate a serious
underlying problem.
If your doctor suspects you are experiencing an iron deficiency or an iron overload, he or she may order a ferritin test. This simple blood test measures the amount of stored iron in your body, which can give your doctor an overall picture of your iron levels.
If your doctor suspects you are experiencing an iron deficiency or an iron overload, he or she may order a ferritin test. This simple blood test measures the amount of stored iron in your body, which can give your doctor an overall picture of your iron levels.
Purpose of a Ferritin Test
Ferritin isn’t the same thing as iron in your body. Instead,
ferritin is a protein that stores iron, releasing it when your body
needs it. If you do not have enough ferritin in your blood or you have
too much, it can give your doctor clues about your overall iron levels.
The more ferritin in your blood, the more stored iron your body has.
Your doctor may order a ferritin test if you have some of the following symptoms associated with low ferritin levels:
What is a Ferritin Test?
Your doctor may order a ferritin test if you have some of the following symptoms associated with low ferritin levels:
- unexplained fatigue
- dizziness
- chronic headaches
- unexplained weakness
- ringing in the ears
- irritability
- leg pains
- shortness of breath
You can also have very high ferritin levels, which can cause unpleasant symptoms as well. Symptoms of excess ferritin include:
- stomach pain
- heart palpitations or chest pains
- unexplained weakness
- joint pain
- unexplained fatigue
What is a Ferritin Test?
Your body relies on iron to carry oxygen to its cells. Without
enough iron, your cells can starve for oxygen, causing a number of
unpleasant symptoms. Too much iron can also result in uncomfortable
symptoms. Both high and low iron levels may indicate a serious
underlying problem.
If your doctor suspects you are experiencing an iron deficiency or an iron overload, he or she may order a ferritin test. This simple blood test measures the amount of stored iron in your body, which can give your doctor an overall picture of your iron levels.rritin Test
If your doctor suspects you are experiencing an iron deficiency or an iron overload, he or she may order a ferritin test. This simple blood test measures the amount of stored iron in your body, which can give your doctor an overall picture of your iron levels.rritin Test
Ferritin isn’t the same thing as iron in your body. Instead,
ferritin is a protein that stores iron, releasing it when your body
needs it. If you do not have enough ferritin in your blood or you have
too much, it can give your doctor clues about your overall iron levels.
The more ferritin in your blood, the more stored iron your body has.
Your doctor may order a ferritin test if you have some of the following symptoms associated with low ferritin levels:
Your doctor may order a ferritin test if you have some of the following symptoms associated with low ferritin levels:
- unexplained fatigue
- dizziness
- chronic headaches
- unexplained weakness
- ringing in the ears
- irritability
- leg pains
- shortness of breath
- stomach pain
- heart palpitations or chest pains
- unexplained weakness
- joint pain
- unexplained fatigue
Part 3 of 5: Procedure
How Is the Test Performed?
The ferritin test requires only a small amount of blood to
accurately diagnose your ferritin levels. A healthcare professional may
apply a band around your arm to help the veins in your arm become more
visible. After wiping your skin with an antiseptic swab, the provider
will insert a small needle into your blood to obtain a sample. The
sample will then be transferred to the laboratory for analysis. You
should not have to take any special precautions before undergoing the
blood test.
Understanding Your Ferritin Blood Test Results
Your ferritin blood test results are first evaluated to see if your
levels are within normal ranges. According to the Mayo Clinic, the
typical ranges are:
- men: 24 to 336 nanograms per milliliter
- women: 11 to 307 nanograms per milliliter (Mayo Clinic, 2012)
Low Ferritin Levels
A lower-than-normal ferritin level can indicate that you have an iron deficiency, which is when you do not consume enough iron in your daily diet. Another condition that affects iron levels is anemia, which is when you do not have enough red blood cells for iron to attach to. Additional conditions include:- excessive menstrual bleeding
- stomach conditions that affect intestinal absorption
- internal bleeding
High Ferritin Levels
Ferritin levels that are too high can indicate a number of conditions. One example is hemochromatosis, which is when your body absorbs too much iron. Other conditions that cause high iron levels include:- rheumatoid arthritis
- liver disease
- hyperthyroidism
- adult Still’s disease
- type 2 diabetes
- leukemia
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- iron poisoning
- frequent blood transfusions