Ferritin is a crucial protein that stores iron, releasing it when your body needs it. Measuring ferritin levels through a blood test can give important insights into your body’s iron stores. Abnormal levels of ferritin, whether high or low, can have significant health implications.
- Low Ferritin Levels (Iron Deficiency):
- If your ferritin levels are low, it often means your body has insufficient iron. This can lead to iron deficiency anemia, which results in symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness, and pale skin. Inadequate iron intake, blood loss, or malabsorption disorders may be the cause.
- Treatment typically involves iron supplements and addressing underlying causes, such as poor dietary intake or gastrointestinal issues.
- High Ferritin Levels (Iron Overload):
- High ferritin levels may indicate an iron overload condition, such as hemochromatosis, where the body absorbs too much iron. It can also suggest chronic diseases like liver disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, or inflammatory conditions.
- If untreated, high iron levels can damage organs such as the liver, heart, and pancreas. Treatments may include phlebotomy (blood removal) or medications to reduce iron absorption.
Regular monitoring of ferritin levels is important to manage your iron balance and avoid complications.
Recommended Tests
- Transferrin Test:
Measures transferrin, a protein that binds to iron, to assess your body’s iron-transporting capacity. Useful for diagnosing iron deficiency or overload.
Transferrin Test - Serum Iron Test:
Directly measures the level of iron in the blood, helping to evaluate iron deficiency or overload conditions.
Serum Iron Test
