What is the Ferritin Test? Why is the test done? Everything around this, that you should know, in this post, and of course our doctors are always there to help you. Just fill in your details in the form below and we will answer all your questions for FREE!
What is ferritin?
Ferritin is a blood protein inside the cells that stores iron. It allows the body to use iron when it needs it. It usually lives in a body’s cells and it circulates very little amount in the blood.
A great concentration of ferritin is usually present in the cells of the liver (hepatocytes) and immune system (reticuloendothelial cells).
Ferritin is stored in the body cells until it makes more red blood cells. The body sends the signal to cells to release ferritin, then ferritin binds to another substance called transferrin.
Transferrin is a protein that combines with ferritin (iron) and transfers it throughout the body where new blood cells are made.
Also Read: Folate Test
What is the role of ferritin in the body?
As we know, we need iron to produce healthy red blood cells. RBCs carry oxygen from the lungs and transfer it to the rest of the body. Iron is also important for muscles, organs, and bone marrow, including brain development in children.
What is the ferritin test?
A serum ferritin test measures the amount of blood protein that stores iron in the body. This test is done to diagnose the serum iron test, transferrin test and total iron-binding capacity test. Lack or excess ferritin levels may indicate that the body stores too much iron or too little iron.
What are the normal levels of ferritin?
- Adult males: 24 to 336 ng/mL
- Adult females: 24 to 307 ng/mL
- Newborns: 25 to 200 ng/mL
Why is it used for?
This test is used to check the iron levels stored in the body whether it is excess or deficiency. Sometimes, it can also be prescribed as a routine part of a complete blood count to know the average range of ferritin. This ferritin test may also be used to diagnose:
- Hemochromatosis
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Liver diseases
- Restless legs syndrome
- Kidney disease
- Autoimmune diseases
- Adult still’s disease
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
What diseases cause low ferritin levels?
Low ferritin is caused by many diseases, like impaired absorption through diet or H.pylori infection. In women, it can be due to a lack of iron in the diet and excessive menstrual bleeding. Some other causes are:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Haemorrhoids
- Gastric malignancy
- Some genetic diseases like sickle cell anaemia.
What are the symptoms indicated by ferritin levels?
Symptoms of low ferritin levels:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Dizziness
- Chronic headaches
- Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
- Leg pains
- Irritability
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms of high ferritin levels:
- Pancreatitis
- Heart palpitations
- Liver cirrhosis
- Pain in joints
- Loss of sexual desire
- Erectile dysfunction in males
- High blood glucose levels
- Lack of energy
- Changes in the menstrual cycle in females
- Liver, breast, and pancreatic cancer in advanced cases
What does low ferritin indicate?
If the level of ferritin is lower than the normal range then it may lead to iron deficiency anaemia. Without treatment, it can cause infection, heart problems (arrhythmia), and slow growth and development of the brain in children.
What does high ferritin indicate?
High ferritin levels can be seen in many conditions. It means that the storage of iron is more than the normal range. There are several conditions that cause increased ferritin are as following:
- Liver disease
- Hemochromatosis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Alcohol use disorder
- Multiple blood transfusion
- Weight loss
- Restless leg syndrome
What cancers cause increased ferritin levels?
High ferritin levels are associated with the most common cancers such as liver cancer, breast cancer, blood cancer (leukaemia), and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It increases the chance of developing liver cancer in hemochromatosis patients. Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease which causes iron overload in the body.
What is the significance of ferritin in COVID-19?
High levels of ferritin produce severe inflammatory effects and cytokine storms, which are the main cause of severity and deaths in COVID-19 patients. People who are diabetic and have low immunity show high ferritin levels in their bodies.
Therefore, increased ferritin levels may lead to higher risk factors for developing COVID-19 infection.
