A ferritin blood test is a serological test providing a measure of ferritin proteins in a sample of blood, which is often employed by healthcare providers for diagnostic purposes. Ferritin is the protein found in the Red Blood Cells (RBCs) that act as a storage of iron. Discovering greater or less than the standard amount of ferritin in the blood may be indicative of a serious health condition that should be further investigated through additional testing.

What is the Ferritin Test?

The quantity of ferritin present, more or less than the normal ferritin count, is demonstrated through a dedicated ferritin test. Ferritin is a store of iron, which is an essential nutrient imperative for the creation of healthy red blood cells along with the distribution of oxygen for a broad spectrum of bodily processes. Having too little or too much of this important protein may hint towards health issues that may exhibit certain associated symptoms in the affected individual. Thus, such levels may prompt doctors to further assess the status of iron, which may lead to diagnosing diseases or conditions by which the individual may be afflicted.

Purpose of Ferritin Test

The ferritin blood test helps determine whether an individual's body is storing the normal ferritin amounts. It is usually evaluated at the time of comprehensive testing for liver function or iron studies to investigate the causes of symptoms exhibited by an individual. However, a ferritin test result may be interpreted on its own.

In addition to diagnosis, ferritin test may be employed for the purpose of screening and monitoring certain health conditions as well, such as:

• Anaemia: Having low iron (fe) levels consistently may progress to become iron deficiency anaemia. Having low iron in the body may negatively affect the production of red blood cells, which may hinder the ability to distribute oxygen to muscles and organs.
• Excessive Iron: Higher than normal Fe levels in the blood lead to a condition known as haemochromatosis. The body doesn't have a natural outlet for iron; as a result, it gets deposited on the outer tissues of organs like the liver and pancreas. It may also cause harm to those organs.
• Liver Disease: Iron in large quantities is stored in ferritin proteins in the liver. In the case of liver disease or damage, this can leak iron into the bloodstream. Thus, a ferritin test may detect higher ferritin levels that may help diagnose liver conditions due to alcohol abuse and hepatitis infection.

Apart from these conditions, a ferritin test may also be able to relate if Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Adult-Onset Still's Disease (AOSD) are due to iron or ferritin deficiency.

When is a Ferritin Test Needed?

A ferritin test may be able to throw light upon iron deficiency or overload if there are associated symptoms. There may be a wide range of symptoms experienced by a person with iron deficiency, including:

• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Paleness of skin
• Headaches
• Feeling tired frequently over a long period of time
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Restless legs syndrome
• Swelling of tongue
• Unusual cravings towards non-food things like paper or ice

People with high ferritin levels may experience the following:

• Fatigue or weakness
• Joint pain
• Irregular heartbeat
• Grey or bronze-coloured skin
• Abdominal pain

What Happens During the Ferritin Test?

A ferritin test involves using a blood sample to test in a laboratory and provide a quantitative assessment of ferritin in it. The test results show the obtained ferritin levels with respect to the normal ferritin count in the blood for reference. 

Uses of Ferritin Test

A ferritin test may have a wide range of applications apart from determining the amount of ferritin or iron present in a sample of blood. These include:

• Diagnosing or confirming iron deficiency anaemia
• Monitors iron levels in individuals with chronic diseases affecting iron levels or in those taking iron supplements or receiving iron therapy.
• Assesses nutritional intake and absorption of iron.
• Assesses organ function like that of the liver.
• Detects or monitors diseases like restless legs syndrome and adult-onset Still's disease.

How to Prepare for the Ferritin Test?

Although the amount of ferritin in the blood is not affected by food consumption, other iron studies may require specific preparation. Whether an individual requires fasting before the test or not would be communicated by the concerned doctor, depending on the requirement of the test.

Ferritin Test Procedure

The ferritin test is performed on a blood sample which is drawn from the vein in the forearm. Before the blood is drawn from the arm, a band may be placed around the arm to create pressure and increase blood flow in the vein from where the blood is to be drawn. The arm may be cleaned with antiseptic liquid or wiped before the needle is inserted. Then, the blood is drawn from the arm using an injection and stored in a vial. The blood sample is sent for further testing in a laboratory.

What do Ferritin Test Results Mean (if it is low and higher than normal levels)?

A ferritin test may be provided on a scale of reference, which may even vary from one laboratory to another. Their reference range may indicate the normal level of ferritin expected to be present in a person of the same gender, age, and overall general health. As a general rule of thumb, ferritin is found in higher quantities in older adults, in males, and in those who take oral contraceptives. Thus, a ferritin test may be best interpreted by a doctor who may specify what it means for a particular person.

The ferritin test results are provided in ng/ml. The ferritin levels, which are normal for males and females, have been provided below for reference.

• Males: 14.7 - 205.1 ng/ml
• Females: 30.3 to 565.7 ng/ml

Low Ferritin Levels

From the test, ferritin level low means that there is an iron or ferritin deficiency, indicating less storage of iron in the blood. In the case of early-stage iron deficiency anaemia, there can be a situation of low ferritin & normal iron, due to which the body may still be able to make enough healthy red blood cells. There may be few or no symptoms of anaemia at this stage. When iron deficiency progresses, there may be low ferritin count followed by low iron levels as the body uses the stored iron in the body. At this stage, symptoms may begin appearing. Thus, a doctor may want to perform additional tests to confirm or determine the severity of iron deficiency anaemia.

High Ferritin Levels

Elevated iron levels may cause hemochromatosis, wherein the body absorbs more iron than required, causing an iron overload. Additionally, in an instance of inflammation, ferritin levels may be high as they are an important marker of inflammation. There may be other reasons for the increase in ferritin levels, such as:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Obesity
• Anaemia not caused by iron deficiency
• Liver disease, including Cirrhosis
• Hyperthyroidism
• Adult-onset Still's disease
• Cancer

Conclusion

Ferritin test helps to diagnose or monitor various conditions that are associated with a deficiency or overload of iron in the blood. It is a precise test that comes in handy for iron sampling in the blood provided you approach the top healthcare facility like CARE Hospitals.

Contact us today for any further medical assistance.

FAQs

Q1. What is a normal level of ferritin test?

Normal ferritin level is the normal amount of ferritin present in the blood with respect to one's age, gender, and overall health. It is presented on a range and measured in ng/ml. For males, it ranges between 14.7 - 205.1 ng/ml, while females have ferritin with the range of 30.3 to 565.7 ng/ml.

Q2. What happens if the ferritin test is positive?

If there is a high ferritin level, as found from a ferritin test, it indicates inflammation. Liver diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and hyperthyroidism are among the common causes of high ferritin levels due to inflammation.

Q3. What happens if the ferritin test is negative?

Low ferritin levels may be indicative of low iron level conditions like anaemia.

Q4. Is haemoglobin and ferritin the same?

Haemoglobin and ferritin are both proteins that store iron, but in different quantities. A majority of the iron is stored in the haemoglobin, and only about one-fourth of the quantity is stored in ferritin.

Q5. How can I raise my ferritin level?

The best way to raise ferritin levels is to consume iron-rich foods, mostly from animal sources.