Ferritin test - Mayo Clinic
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A ferritin test measures the amount of ferritin in your blood. Ferritin is a blood protein that contains iron. A ferritin test helps your doctor understand how much iron your body stores. If a ferritin test reveals that your blood ferritin level is lower than normal, it indicates your body's iron stores are low and you have iron deficiency. As a result, you could be anemic. If a ferritin test shows higher than normal levels, it could indicate that you have a condition that causes your body to store too much iron. It could also point to liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory conditions or hyperthyroidism. Some types of cancer also can cause your blood ferritin level to be high. Products & Services
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If your doctor suspects you have too much or too little iron in your body, he or she might suggest a ferritin test. The test can diagnose or suggest: Iron deficiency anemia Hemachromatosis - a condition that causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat Liver disease Adult Still's disease Your doctor might also suggest a ferritin test if you've been diagnosed with a disorder that results in too much iron in your body, such as hemochromatosis. Your doctor might use a ferritin test to monitor your condition and guide treatment. More Information
Adult Still's diseaseIron deficiency anemia Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
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If your blood sample is being tested only for ferritin, you can eat and drink normally before the test. If your blood sample will be used for other tests, you might need to fast for a time before the test. Your doctor will instruct you. What you can expect
During the ferritin test, a member of your health care team takes a sample of blood by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm. The blood sample is sent to a lab for analysis. You can return to your usual activities immediately. Results
The normal range for blood ferritin is: For men, 24 to 336 micrograms per liter For women, 11 to 307 micrograms per liter Lower than normal results
This indicates that you have iron deficiency. You might also be anemic. If your ferritin level is low, your doctor will work to determine the cause. Higher than normal results
A higher than normal ferritin level can be seen in several conditions. However, diagnosis of these conditions might require additional testing based on your symptoms and physical examination. Hemochromatosis Porphyria - A group of disorders caused by an enzyme deficiency that affects your nervous system and skin Rheumatoid arthritis or another chronic inflammatory disorder Liver disease Hyperthyroidism Leukemia Hodgkin's lymphoma Multiple blood transfusions Alcohol abuse Taking too many iron supplements If your ferritin level is above normal, your doctor might need to evaluate the results with those of other tests to determine next steps. For specifics about what your ferritin test results mean, talk to your doctor. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Dec. 28, 2021 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Ferritin, serum. Mayo Medical Laboratories. https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Overview/88153. Accessed Oct. 23, 2019. Ferritin. Lab Tests Online. https://labtestsonline.org/tests/ferritin. Accessed Oct. 23, 2019. Bacon BR, et al. Approach to the patient with suspected iron overload. https://www.uptodate.com/search/contents. Accessed Oct. 23, 2019. Mandl LA. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of adult Still's disease. https://www.uptodate.com/search/contents. Accessed Oct. 23, 2019. Related
Adult Still's disease Iron deficiency anemia Products & Services
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