The ferritin level in your blood is directly related to the amount of iron in your body. The body needs iron to make healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. If you suspect that your iron level is too low, your doctor may suggest a ferritin test.
Normal range
While getting an abnormal ferritin test result can be stressful, you should know that you’re not alone. One in 20 healthy people will have a ferritin level outside of the normal range. Your healthcare provider will determine the cause of your abnormal results, as well as any possible treatment. In most cases, your doctor can correct your low ferritin level through dietary changes and other therapies.
Low ferritin levels are generally indicative of iron deficiency. Some of the main causes are chronic blood loss, heavy menstrual bleeding, and not eating enough iron-rich foods. Some people also lose excessive amounts of iron due to psoriasis or ulcers.
The normal range of ferritin blood levels varies by gender, age, and sex, so you should discuss your results with your healthcare provider. Generally speaking, the range for ferritin levels is between 22 and 300 ng/mL for males and 10-200 ng/ml for females. However, the normal range of ferritin can vary from one laboratory to another.
Taking a ferritin blood test is not difficult, and a small amount of blood is, required. The procedure typically takes five to 10 minutes. The test is painless and does not have any serious side effects. You may experience some lightheadedness or some bruising at the vein puncture site. There is a small risk of infection or excessive bleeding. However, a normal ferritin level will allow you to determine if you’re suffering from an iron deficiency or anemia.
Serum ferritin levels over 60 ug/L are indicative of an iron deficiency in prepubescent children. In adults, serum ferritin concentrations over thirty ug/l are typically indicative of iron overload, which may also result from liver disease. However, if your ferritin level is higher than these ranges, consult your doctor. A doctor will be able to prescribe an appropriate treatment based on the results of the ferritin test.
A ferritin blood test is a simple blood test that measures how much ferritin is in your blood. The ferritin protein stores iron in your cells, and is necessary to produce healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells are essential for healthy organs, muscle health, and bone marrow development. However, too much or too little ferritin can cause many health problems.
Studies show that low ferritin levels link to certain medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia. In one study, patients with fibromyalgia had average serum ferritin levels of 27.3 ng/ml, compared to 43.8 ng/ml in healthy controls. However, further studies are needed to confirm this association.
As mentioned, ferritin is mainly found in cells and is only found in small amounts in blood. Inflammation and damage to organs that contain ferritin can raise ferritin levels. Ferritin levels in the blood are usually normal, but elevated levels may be an indication of a liver disease, cancer, or an autoimmune disorder.
Low range
While an abnormal ferritin test result can be stressful, it is important to remember that it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have an illness. Studies show that one in 20 healthy people will have a ferritin level that’s out of range. A health care provider will first need to determine what caused the low value in your blood. Many iron-related conditions are treatable with medications, dietary changes, or other therapies.
A low ferritin level may also be caused by an underlying condition such as colon cancer. Although this condition is rare in younger women, older women or men who have lost weight and feel fatigued may need to be checked for colon cancer. In these cases, a blood test for ferritin is important to rule out other conditions and diagnose the problem.
Ferritin tests are useful in monitoring and diagnosing chronic health conditions, and they can also help identify the level of hemoglobin in the blood. This protein is found in red blood cells and carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Other tests used to assess the iron in the blood include hematocrit, which measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood, and total iron-binding capacity, which measures the amount of iron attached to protein in the blood. Another blood test is the HFE gene test, which looks for hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to use iron.
Having a serum ferritin level that falls into the low range is a sign of iron deficiency. People with iron deficiency often do not have an obvious cause, such as celiac disease, multiple blood donations, or anemia. Iron deficiency may also be the first symptom of bowel cancer, especially in men and post-menopausal women. Liver and kidney disease, inflammation, and age can also increase serum ferritin levels.
Low ferritin levels may be a sign of an iron storage disorder or a chronic disease process. Low levels may also indicate iron overload, which may damage organs and joints. If left untreated, iron overload can cause severe health problems. It is important to seek treatment for an iron deficiency if you notice any symptoms.
Treatment for iron deficiency often involves iron chelation therapy, which can remove excess iron from the body. Iron chelation therapy is not the first line of treatment, but it may be appropriate for some patients. Other treatments may also be necessary. A low-range ferritin test can be performed by a health care provider and is simple and inexpensive. All it takes is a small needle inserted into a vein and a small amount of blood to be tested. Once completed, a small dressing is placed over the skin area where the test was performed.
While blood ferritin is typically low, it can play a major role in iron delivery to cells. If your ferritin level is lower than 60 ng/mL, your doctor may prescribe a supplement of iron to help raise your levels. This may include oral iron supplements or the newly available iron patch. It’s important to maintain adequate ferritin levels in your body for proper hormone function.
Significance of elevated ferritin levels
High ferritin levels are a red flag for several medical conditions. They can be a sign of gastric bleeding or an underlying health problem. The level of ferritin is a marker of total iron in the body. This iron is, stored in the spleen, liver, muscle and bone marrow. Occasionally, elevated ferritin levels can be a result of some type of inflammation.
Researchers have noted several associations between elevated ferritin levels and inflammatory diseases, including hemophagocytic lymphocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. While hyperferritinemia can occur in a number of conditions, it is best to rule out certain causes before making any changes to a patient’s treatment.
Ferritin tests are often, ordered by healthcare providers for screening and diagnostic purposes. Elevated ferritin levels may indicate an underlying health condition such as a liver disease, gastrointestinal disease, or restless legs syndrome. A doctor may also order this blood test if other blood tests indicate a low level of ferritin or anemia.
High ferritin levels are generally a result of increased total body iron stores, which are not utilized for the production of red blood cells. This is one of the main causes of chronic anemia. Infection generally increases ferritin levels, although some infections cause a reduction. High ferritin levels often cause by chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Genetic disorders such as hemochromatosis can cause elevated ferritin levels. Other factors that can increase or decrease ferritin levels include aging, inflammation, and heavy drinking.
Elevated ferritin levels in dialysis patients may reflect the presence of inflammation and fibrosis. Iron overload may also reflect liver iron content, but elevated ferritin levels do not always reflect the presence of iron overload. In patients with elevated ferritin levels, treatment with rHuEPO or iron supplementation may improve the outcome of the treatment and reduce mortality.
People with hemochromatosis may benefit from a diet that is lower in iron but rich in leafy greens. However, consumption of tea or coffee, which contains polyphenols, may inhibit the absorption of iron. While tea or coffee does not affect ferritin levels in healthy adults, it may reduce them in cases of iron deficiency or overdose.
Elevated ferritin levels may also be a warning sign that a patient has an iron deficiency. For example, pregnant women need iron for making red blood cells, and prenatal vitamins contain iron. However, a diet rich in iron will help a woman maintain her iron stores. Meat, fish, and legumes are good sources of iron. Moreover, plant-based protein sources like tofu and soy products may contain sufficient amounts of iron.
