Ferritin Test
Related tests: Serum iron; TIBC
The Test
How is it used?
The ferritin test is requested to see how much iron your body has stored for future use. The test is done, usually with an iron test and the total iron binding capacity (TIBC), unbound iron binding capacity (UIBC), or transferrin saturation, to learn about iron levels in your blood.
When is it requested?
If a blood count indicates that your haemoglobin and haematocrit are low, especially if your red blood cells are smaller and paler than normal ('microcytic' and 'hypochromic'), this indicates that you have anaemia due to iron deficiency. Ferritin and other iron tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis.
The test may also be requested when your doctor suspects you have too much iron, for example in haemochromatosis (a disease in which too much iron is absorbed from the diet).
The test may also be requested when your doctor suspects you have too much iron, for example in haemochromatosis (a disease in which too much iron is absorbed from the diet).
What does the test result mean?
Ferritin levels are low in long-term iron deficiency, or if your body's protein levels are very low, as in some cases of malnutrition.
Ferritin levels are high in states of long-term iron overload, especially in haemochromatosis.
Ferritin levels are high in states of long-term iron overload, especially in haemochromatosis.
Is there anything else I should know?
Ferritin is normally found mainly inside of the cells in the body, with only a small amount in the blood. When there is damage to organs that contain ferritin (especially the liver, spleen, and bone marrow), ferritin levels can become raised even though the total amount of iron in the body is normal. Ferritin levels may not be particularly helpful if measured in people with liver disease, long-term infections, cancer, or autoimmune diseases (which are all associated with organ damage).
If you don't know what a word or a medical term means, try the
Mondofacto Online Medical Dictionary
.
