Test Detail
Understanding the Test
Test Measures
Interpreting Results
FAQ's
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References
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Content created by
Written by
Dr. Betina Chandolia
BDS, MDS - Oral Pathology and Microbiology
Reviewed by
Dr. Ashish Ranjan
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
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Serum Ferritin

Also known as Iron stores, Ferritin serum, Serum ferritin level, Iron (Fe) Stores, S. Ferritin
300
You need to provide
Blood
This test is for
Male, Female
Test Preparation
  1. No special preparation is required.

Understanding Serum Ferritin


What is Serum Ferritin?

A Serum Ferritin test detects ferritin protein in the blood and helps determine how much iron is stored in your body. This test also helps to detect or monitor diseases such as iron-deficiency anemia, hemochromatosis (iron overload), liver disease, and adult-onset Still’s disease.

Iron is an important nutrient for healthy muscles, bone marrow, and other functions, including brain development in children. The body gets iron from the food and uses it for oxygen distribution. Some part of this iron is stored in the protein ferritin that is concentrated in the liver and immune system cells.

Your doctor may advise a Serum Ferritin when you have symptoms suggestive of low iron levels, such as pale skin, extreme tiredness, weakness, heavy menstrual cycles, bleeding in your digestive tract, blood in your stool, shortness of breath, brittle nails, whooshing sound in your ears, and sudden spinning sensations (vertigo). This test may also help monitor recovery and formulate your treatment plan for iron deficiency or overload. No special preparation is needed for a ferritin test; eat or drink as per your daily routine. However, talk to your doctor about all the pre-test instructions. 

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between different labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help the doctor correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help them determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medication will be required to manage your condition, and formulate your overall treatment plan.

What is Serum Ferritin used for?

A Serum Ferritin test can be done:

  • To determine iron deficiency or overload in the body.

  • To confirm iron-deficiency anemia detected in routine checkups.

  • To determine the body’s capacity to store iron.

  • To detect or monitor diseases like liver disease, restless leg syndrome, adult-onset Still’s disease, etc. 

What does Serum Ferritin measure?

A Serum Ferritin test helps to detect how much iron is stored in your body. Ferritin is a storage protein that can store iron in a soluble or nontoxic form. Your body requires iron to make healthy red blood cells that are responsible for oxygen distribution from the lungs to other parts of the body. Whenever your body requires iron, cells release the required amount of ferritin.

Interpreting Serum Ferritin results


Interpretations

Normal levels:

·         Adults:

Males: 20 to 250 ng/mL

Females 18 to 39 years age: 10 to 120 ng/mL

Females over 40 years age: 12 to 263 ng/mL

·         Children:

Newborns 25 to 200 ng/mL

Infants 1 month age: 200 to 600 ng/mL

Infants 2 to 5 months age: 50 to 200 ng/mL

Children 6 months to 15 years age: 7 to 140 ng/mL

Ferritin test results are usually interpreted in combination with other iron tests as follows:

 

Iron

TIBC

UIBC

Transferrin Saturation

Ferritin

Condition

Low

High

High

Low

Low

Iron Deficiency

High

Low

Low

High

High

Hemochromatosis, Hemosiderosis

Low

Low/Normal

Low/Normal

Low/Normal

High/Normal

Chronic Illness

High

Normal/Low

Low/Normal

High

High

Hemolytic Anemia

Normal/High

Normal/Low

Low/Normal

High

High

Sideroblastic Anemia

High

Normal

Low

High

Normal

Iron Poisoning

Higher than normal levels of ferritin in blood is called hyperferritinemia.

Lower than normal levels of ferritin in blood is called hypoferritinemia.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Serum Ferritin


Frequently Asked Questions about Serum Ferritin

Q. How is a ferritin test performed?

A doctor will clean the skin using an antiseptic alcohol cotton swab or wipe and take out a blood sample from your veins using a needle. The blood sample will be stored safely and transported to the lab for analysis.

Q. Is there any risk associated with a ferritin test?

There is usually no risk associated with this test. However, some people may feel a slight sting while the needle is pricked and may experience some bleeding that is normal and usually not bothersome. Rarely some people may experience slight swelling or bruising at the site of the needle prick. Applying ice 3-4 times a day for about a week may help reduce swelling and bruising. If it does not get better, consult your doctor.

Q. What is the treatment for low ferritin?

Your doctor may advise iron supplements to increase your ferritin levels. In severe cases of anemia, you may also require treatment with intravenous iron.
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Serum Ferritin test price for other cities


Price inBangaloreRs. 399
Price inMysoreRs. 399
Price inNagpurRs. 399
Price inNashikRs. 399
Price inPuneRs. 399
+ more

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