Measuring your ferritin level helps to check for signs of iron deficiency and iron overload. Ferritin is a protein that reflects your iron store. Iron is vital for transporting oxygen around your body and supporting your immune system. This blood test helps you explore whether low iron levels could be contributing to symptoms, such as pale skin, fatigue, dizziness, and heart palpitations. If your level is raised, your results can help you take action to explore possible causes, such as hemochromatosis (or iron overload syndrome).

Is it for you?

Are you at high risk of iron-deficiency anaemia, like increased blood loss or requirement (such as being pregnant), dietary deficiency, or malabsorption? Or do you have symptoms of iron overload, like diabetes and liver disease?

Our simple blood test to measure your ferritin levels (a protein that stores iron in your body) can tell you whether your stored iron is high or low, helping you to investigate anaemia or iron overload.

Ferritin Blood Test, from our experts to you.

What is ferritin?

Ferritin is a complex globular protein that stores iron in an inactive form. It is found in many body cells, especially in the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and reticuloendothelial cells. It plays a significant role in the absorption, storage, and release of iron. As your iron stores deplete, the ferritin releases its iron for use. If your ferritin depletes, you will run out of iron and your ability to produce red blood cells in your bone marrow decreases.

What can I learn from this test?

Our Ferritin Blood Test measures the amount of ferritin in your blood. Because ferritin stores iron, it estimates your body's iron levels and helps detect iron deficiency.

What could my results mean?

If ferritin levels are low, additional tests, including an iron test, TIBC and transferrin test, are used to confirm a diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia. Low ferritin levels indicate iron deficiency. Symptoms of iron deficiency include pale skin, fatigue, dizziness, and heart palpitations. High ferritin levels could indicate haemochromatosis (iron overload syndrome), an inherited condition where your body cannot rid itself of iron, so it accumulates over time. High ferritin levels are also associated with liver inflammation.

Iron status

Ferritin

Ferritin is a protein which stores iron in your cells and tissues. Usually, the body incorporates iron into haemoglobin to be transported around the body, but when it has a surplus, it stores the remaining iron in ferritin for later use. Measuring ferritin levels gives us a good indication of the amount of iron stored in your body.

How to prepare for your test

Prepare for your Ferritin Blood Test by following these instructions. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed.