Your ferritin blood concentration can be measured, and the result reflects your iron levels.
High or low ferritin levels can occur with a variety of medical conditions.
Your ferritin concentration can help diagnose various disorders when used in conjunction with other screening tools.
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This article describes the role of ferritin and what you should expect if your ferritin levels are not normal.
Iron binds to ferritin in other cells and in the blood circulation.
The concentration of ferritin in your bloodstream can be measured with a blood test.
Typically, ferritin concentration is used to assess iron levels in the body.
Having ahigh iron levelor alow iron levelis often a sign of disease.
When iron is too high or too low, it can cause symptoms and harmful effects in the body.
Health organizations may use either one or the other units.
However, medical conditions can cause higher or lower ferritin levels.
Low Ferritin Levels
Generally, low ferritin levels are a reflection of low iron.
Hemochromatosisis a hereditary condition that can cause iron overload.Repeated blood transfusions can also cause iron overload.
Sometimes, medical illnesses can cause high ferritin levels without iron overload.
High ferritin due to iron overload can cause symptoms of iron overload.
Underlying conditions can usually be diagnosed with a variety of tests.
Risk factors, symptoms, and physical examination would guide the specific testing.
Treatment for iron deficiency can includeiron supplementationor blood transfusion.
If your ferritin level is abnormal, you will be treated and provided with guidelines regarding follow-up testing.
Summary
Ferritin is an important protein that binds to iron.
A simple blood test can measure ferritin concentration in the blood.
Abnormal concentrations of ferritin could reflect iron deficiency or overload and may also be associated with other medical conditions.
Looking at your ferritin level in isolation is not enough to identify or diagnose any medical problem.
This test is used along with other tests and with consideration to your symptoms and medical history.
doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000037485
WHO guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status in individuals and populations[Internet].
Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020.
