Quick Facts
- Sample: Serum blood draw (venipuncture tube)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 1–2 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Assess iron stores quickly without a doctor visit required upfront
- Detect iron deficiency or overload early to guide nutritional or medical decisions
- Simple blood draw—no fasting, minimal preparation needed
- Confidential results available online within 1-2 days to help guide your next steps
- Monitor iron-related conditions and treatment effectiveness over time
- Support early intervention to prevent anemia-related fatigue and health complications
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, or dizziness
- Women who menstruate or those at risk for iron deficiency
- Anyone with symptoms of restless leg syndrome or unusual cravings for non-food items
- People monitoring chronic conditions (cancer, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders) affecting iron metabolism
- Those screening for iron overload disorders like hemochromatosis
- Patients evaluating symptoms of joint pain, pale skin, or unexplained weakness
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — Select your test and schedule a lab collection at your convenience.
- Quick blood draw — A simple venous sample is collected; no fasting required, takes just minutes.
- Fast results — Receive results in 1–2 days to help guide next steps.
FAQ
What does ferritin measure? Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside cells. This test measures ferritin circulating in your blood, reflecting your total body iron stores.
Why is ferritin important for health? Iron is essential for producing healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body. Ferritin levels reveal whether you have too little iron (risking anemia) or too much (potential organ damage).
Can inflammation affect my ferritin levels? Yes. Ferritin is an acute phase reactant and can rise during inflammation, infection, or liver disease even if iron stores are adequate. Your healthcare provider will interpret results considering your overall health.
Who should get tested? Anyone experiencing anemia symptoms (fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath) or monitoring iron-related conditions should consider testing. Women who menstruate and individuals with malabsorption disorders are at higher risk for deficiency.
How do I know if my results are normal? Reference ranges vary by age and sex. Generally, ferritin below 30 µg/L suggests iron deficiency; elevated levels may indicate inflammation, overload, or liver disease requiring further evaluation.
Should I fast before this test? No fasting is necessary. However, inform your provider about recent illnesses, supplements, or medications that might affect iron metabolism.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The ferritin blood test measures the level of ferritin—a protein that stores iron inside cells—circulating in your blood. Iron is essential for producing healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen and for maintaining muscle, bone marrow, and neurological health. By analyzing ferritin levels, clinicians assess whether your iron stores are depleted (indicating deficiency) or elevated (suggesting overload or inflammation). This test helps screen for iron imbalances and guides treatment decisions without requiring a preliminary physician visit.
Who would benefit from this test?
You'll benefit from this test if you're experiencing symptoms of anemia (weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath), have restless leg syndrome, or show signs of iron overload (joint pain, abdominal pain, low sex drive). It's especially valuable for menstruating women, individuals with malabsorption disorders, those with chronic illnesses affecting iron metabolism (cancer, kidney disease, autoimmune conditions), and anyone at risk for hemochromatosis or iron-related disorders. Early screening supports prompt intervention and improved quality of life (CDC 2025, ASH 2023).
When should I order this test?
Order this test if you're experiencing symptoms like persistent fatigue, pale skin, unusual food cravings (ice, clay, soil), muscle weakness, dizziness, or unexplained joint pain. It's also appropriate if you're monitoring an existing iron-related condition, evaluating treatment effectiveness, or screening for hemochromatosis and other iron disorders. If you have a family history of iron overload or persistent anemia symptoms, early testing guides preventive care and nutritional adjustments.
How do I interpret the results?
Below 30 µg/L:
- What it means: Iron stores depleted; likely iron deficiency anemia
- Typical action: Consult provider; consider iron supplementation and dietary changes
30–300 µg/L (normal range varies by sex/age):
- What it means: Adequate iron stores
- Typical action: Maintain balanced diet; retest if symptoms persist
Above 300 µg/L:
- What it means: Elevated iron; may indicate overload, inflammation, or liver disease
- Typical action: Seek medical evaluation; additional testing recommended
Ferritin is an acute phase reactant, meaning levels rise during inflammation or infection even with normal iron stores—your provider will interpret results in context of your overall health.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required before your ferritin test. Simply schedule your blood draw at your preferred time. Inform your healthcare provider about recent illnesses, infections, or inflammatory conditions, as these can temporarily elevate ferritin levels. Disclose all supplements and medications, particularly iron supplements or anti-inflammatory drugs, which may affect results. Avoid strenuous exercise immediately before testing if possible, as physical stress can influence values.
How often should I get tested?
- Screening with no symptoms: Every 2–5 years (discussion with provider recommended)
- Iron deficiency diagnosis under treatment: Every 3–6 months to monitor repletion
- Iron overload or hemochromatosis management: Every 3–6 months or per treatment plan
- Chronic disease affecting iron (cancer, kidney disease): Every 6–12 months or as clinically indicated
- Symptom monitoring: Retest if symptoms return or change significantly
Why early detection matters
Iron deficiency affects approximately 2 billion people worldwide, yet many remain undiagnosed (WHO 2023). Early ferritin testing identifies depleted stores before severe anemia develops, allowing you to make dietary changes or begin supplementation promptly. Serum ferritin levels below 30 µg/L strongly correlate with iron deficiency with high sensitivity and specificity, making this test a reliable screening tool (Johns Hopkins 2024). Early intervention reduces fatigue-related productivity loss, improves energy and cognitive function, and prevents complications like heart strain and impaired neurological development in children (ASH 2023).
Related tests you may consider
Serum Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) — Complement ferritin by measuring circulating iron and your body's iron transport capacity, helping differentiate deficiency from inflammatory states.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) — Detects anemia's impact on red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels, providing a comprehensive picture of blood health.
Transferrin— Calculated from serum iron and TIBC, this test helps distinguish iron deficiency from inflammation-driven ferritin elevation.
