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Ferritin Blood Test

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What is a ferritin blood test?

A ferritin blood test measures the level of ferritin in your blood. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside your cells. You need iron to make healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Iron is also important for healthy muscles, bone marrow, and organ function. Too little or too much iron in your system can cause serious health problems if not treated.

Other names: serum ferritin, serum ferritin level, ferritin serum

What is it used for?

A ferritin blood test is used to check your iron levels. It can help your health care provider find out if your body has the right amount of iron to stay healthy.

Why do I need a ferritin blood test?

You may need this test if you have symptoms of iron levels that are too low or too high.

Symptoms of iron levels that are too low include:

  • Pale skin
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid heartbeat

Symptoms of iron levels that are too high can vary and tend to get worse over time. Symptoms may include:

  • Joint pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Lack of energy
  • Weight loss

You may also need this test if you have restless legs syndrome, a condition that may be related to low iron levels.

What happens during a ferritin blood test?

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

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Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

Your health care provider may ask you to fast (not eat or drink) for 12 hours before your test. The test is usually done in the morning. If you have any questions about how to prepare for your test, talk to your health care provider.

Are there any risks to the test?

There is very little risk of having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruise at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

What do the results mean?

Lower than normal ferritin levels may mean you have iron deficiency anaemia or another condition related to low iron levels. Iron deficiency anaemia is a common type of anaemia, a disorder in which your body doesn’t make enough red blood cells. Iron deficiency anaemia can cause heart problems, infections, and other health issues.

Higher than normal ferritin levels can mean you have too much iron in your body. Conditions that cause increased iron levels include liver disease, alcohol abuse, and hemochromatosis, a disorder that can lead to cirrhosis, heart disease, and diabetes.

If your ferritin results are not normal, it does not necessarily mean you have a medical condition needing treatment. Certain medicines can decrease or increase your ferritin levels. If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.

Is there anything else I need to know about a ferritin blood test?

Most conditions that cause too little or too much iron can be successfully treated with medicines, diet, and/or other therapies.

References

  1. Hinkle J, Cheever K. Brunner & Suddarth’s Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 2nd Ed, Kindle. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; c2014. Ferritin, Serum; 296 p.
  2. Lab Tests Online [Internet]. Washington D.C.: American Association for Clinical Chemistry; c2001–2017. Ferritin: The Test [updated 2013 Jul 21; cited 2017 Nov 2]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ferritin/tab/test
  3. Lab Tests Online [Internet]. Washington D.C.: American Association for Clinical Chemistry; c2001–2017. Ferritin: The Test Sample [updated 2013 Jul 21; cited 2017 Nov 2]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ferritin/tab/sample
  4. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2017. Ferritin Test: Overview; 2017 Feb 10 [cited 2017 Nov 2]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ferritin-test/home/ovc-20271871
  5. Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2017. Iron [cited 2017 Nov 2]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/disorders-of-nutrition/minerals/iron
  6. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What Are the Risks of Blood Tests? [updated 2012 Jan 6; cited 2017 Nov 2]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/bdt/risks
  7. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; How is Iron-Deficiency Anemia Diagnosed? [updated 2014 Mar 26; cited 2017 Nov 2]; [about 8 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ida/diagnosis
  8. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What is Hemochromatosis? [updated 2011 Feb 1; cited 2017 Nov 2]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hemo
  9. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What is Iron-Deficiency Anemia? [updated 2014 Mar 26; cited 2017 Nov 2]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ida
  10. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What To Expect with Blood Tests [updated 2012 Jan 6; cited 2017 Nov 2]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/bdt/with
  11. Nemours Children’s Health System [Internet]. Jacksonville (FL): The Nemours Foundation; c2017. Blood Test: Ferritin (Iron) [cited 2017 Nov 2]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: http://m.kidshealth.org/Nemours/en/parents/test-ferritin.html
  12. UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. University of Florida; c2017. Ferritin blood test: Overview [updated 2017 Nov 2; cited 2017 Nov 2]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://ufhealth.org/ferritin-blood-test
  13. University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2017. Health Encyclopedia: Ferritin (Blood) [cited 2017 Nov 2]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid;=ferritin_blood
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