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Ferritin is a protein found inside cells that stores iron so your body can use it later. A ferritin test indirectly measures the amount of iron in your blood.
The amount of ferritin in your blood (serum ferritin level) is directly related to the amount of iron stored in your body.
Alternative NamesSerum ferritin level
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
How to prepare for the testYour doctor may tell you to stop taking any drugs that may affect the test results.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedThis test measures the amount of iron in the body. Iron is important for red blood cell production.
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
- Anemia of chronic disease
Male: 12-300 ng/mL
Female: 12-150 ng/mL
Note: ng/ml = nanograms per milliliter
The lower the ferritin level, even within the "normal" range, the more likely it is that the patient does not have enough iron.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanAny inflammatory disorder can raise the ferritin level.
Higher-than-normal ferritin levels may be due to:
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Frequent transfusion of packed red blood cells
- Hemochromatosis
Lower-than-normal levels may be due to:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Intestinal conditions that cause poor absorption of iron
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Long-term digestive tract bleeding
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
McPherson RA and Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007:78.
Hoffman R, Benz Jr. EJ, Shattil SJ, et al., eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingston; 2005:482.
What else can I help you with?
Where is ferritin and hemosiderin stored?
Ferritin and hemosiderin are stored in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. They are primarily stored in the form of ferritin, a complex of iron and protein, with hemosiderin being a breakdown product of ferritin storage.
What color test tube for ferritin?
A gold or yellow test tube is commonly used for ferritin testing.
How come my ferritin level is 7 and my iron level 135 can you explain why i am so tired if my iron level is so high?
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. Low ferritin is a precursor to anemia, so if you do nothing about the low ferritin level your iron level will eventually drop.
What is the normal range of ferritin?
is a level of 17.50 in ferritin blood test consider low in a male 66 years old
What color of tube is used for ferritin?
The color of tube used for ferritin is typically gold or red/gray.
What diseases are associated with very low ferritin and very high folate?
Anaemia can be associated with low ferritin and high Folate levels.
Why is ferritin high in alcoholics?
Ferritin levels can be high in alcoholics due to several factors, including liver damage and inflammation caused by alcohol consumption, which can lead to increased release of ferritin into the bloodstream. Additionally, alcohol can stimulate the liver to produce more ferritin as a response to oxidative stress and tissue injury. Chronic alcohol use also affects iron metabolism, potentially causing iron overload, which further elevates ferritin levels.
What causes high ferritin levels?
High ferritin levels can be caused by various factors, including iron overload conditions such as hemochromatosis or excessive iron supplementation. Inflammation or chronic diseases, such as liver disease, infections, or autoimmune disorders, can also elevate ferritin as it acts as an acute phase reactant. Additionally, certain malignancies may lead to increased ferritin levels. It's important to consult a healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and management if elevated ferritin is detected.
What does high ferritin levels mean?
If ferritin is high, there is iron in excess or else there is an acute inflammatory reaction in which ferritin is mobilized without iron excess. For example, ferritins may be high in infection without signalling body iron overload.Ferritin is also used as a marker for iron overload disorders, such as hemochromatosis or hemosiderosis. Adult-onset Still's disease, porphyria, and Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis are diseases in which the ferritin level may be abnormally raised. As ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant, it is often elevated in the course of disease. A normal C-reactive protein can be used to exclude elevated ferritin caused by acute phase reactions.According to a study of anorexia nervosa patients, ferritin can be elevated during periods of acute malnourishment
What is a primary iron storage protein?
ferritin
Is the test for ferritin levels a fasting test?
No, a ferritin test does not require fasting. It can be done at any time of the day and does not require any special preparation.
The iron-storage protein in muscle fiber liver cells and macrophages are?
The iron-storage protein in muscle fiber, liver cells, and macrophages is ferritin. Ferritin helps to store and release iron in a controlled manner to maintain iron balance in the body.
