A ferritin blood test measures the level of ferritin, a protein that stores iron in your body's cells, circulating in your blood. Ferritin acts as a storage form of iron, releasing it when your body needs to produce healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body
. The test is used to assess how much iron your body has stored. Low ferritin levels indicate low iron stores, which can lead to iron deficiency and anemia. High ferritin levels may suggest inflammation, liver disease, certain cancers, or conditions causing iron overload such as hemochromatosis
. Typical ferritin ranges are approximately:
- Men: 24 to 336 micrograms per liter (or 30 to 400 ng/mL)
- Women: 11 to 307 micrograms per liter (or 13 to 150 ng/mL)
Ranges may vary slightly by lab
In summary, the ferritin blood test is a key diagnostic tool to evaluate iron status in the body, helping diagnose iron deficiency anemia, iron overload disorders, and monitor related health conditions
