Ferritin is the protein in your body responsible for storing Iron. Iron is necessary for the formation of red blood cells. The red blood cells help carry oxygen to other parts of your body like bone marrow, liver, and muscles.
If Ferritin levels in your body are low, it can cause Anaemia as a result of iron deficiency. Low levels of Ferritin can result from intestinal bleeding, tumors, or ulcers in the gut, and heavy menstruation. A Ferritin test is important to measure the levels of Ferritin in your body.
There may be conditions that result in high levels of Ferritin, which is also harmful to the body. It can cause damage to your heart, liver, pancreas, and joints. Too much iron can cause iron poisoning, which is just as dangerous as its name. To help determine such conditions, a Ferritin test is necessary.
What Is A Ferritin Test?
A test conducted for Ferritin levels helps in measuring the amount of this protein present in your blood. This protein stores the iron in your body, which is essential for forming red blood cells. These red blood cells help carry oxygen from your lungs to other body parts. Your body also stores extra Ferritin in your liver and the cells of your immune system. The Ferritin present helps determine the amount of iron stored in your body.
Why Should You Conduct A Ferritin Test?
A test for checking your Ferritin levels determines whether your body has a healthy amount of Iron. This test is usually conducted for diagnostic and screening purposes. In case of diagnosis, it must be performed to determine whether your body’s level of iron is normal. It is because fluctuations in iron levels can cause severe health issues.
It is best to conduct a Ferritin test if you have liver issues, low hemoglobin levels, or restless legs syndrome. This test is used for screening when one suspects low iron levels before the symptoms start showing. It is also conducted for those who have the following conditions:
- Underweight people
- Pregnant women
- Females who experience heavy menstrual bleeding
- People who face problems in proper absorption of food
- Those who are suffering from inflammatory bowel disease
- People who have undergone gastrointestinal surgeries.
What Do You Mean By High Ferritin Levels?
If the results of the Ferritin test show that the protein level present in the body is high, it is not considered healthy. The condition of iron overload, or Hemochromatosis, occurs when your body stores too much iron. Itcan also arise due to other medical conditions like inflammation in your body, which is usually caused due to infection. Other conditions which cause higher levels of Ferritin to build up in your body are:
- Cancer- typically blood cancers like Lymphoma or Leukaemia
- Hyperthyroidism
- Alcohol abuse
- Chronic illnesses- typically Diabetes and autoimmune disorders
- Obesity
- Adult-onset Still’s disease
- Liver conditions like Cirrhosis
- Damage to the bone marrow, spleen, or liver.
What Do You Mean By Low Ferritin Levels?
Low Ferritin levels indicate one of the following conditions:
- Loss of blood, typically from the gastrointestinal tract
- Anemia is caused by iron deficiency- this condition states that you contain inadequate red blood cells.
- Your body is not able to efficiently absorb iron from your diet.
If you are facing the problem of low Ferritin levels in your body, it is best to take some additional blood tests. It will help compare the Ferritin test results with the symptoms of iron deficiency Anaemia. The additional tests that the doctor will prescribe are:
- Transferrin saturation
- Serum Iron
- Total Iron-binding capacity
What To Do Before The Test Is Conducted?
- There is no need to make any major changes in your diet before the test is conducted. Make sure to talk thoroughly with your doctor, as they will know what modifications you must make before the test.
- Always inform your healthcare expert about the medications you are taking beforehand. Since this test is simple, there is no need to stop your medications. It is very rare when the doctor asks you to stop some medications until the test is conducted.
- Inform the doctor whether you smoke or consume alcohol.
- You will have to fast for some time before the test. Talk with your doctor about the same.
The Bottom Line
If you want to know about the Ferritin test in detail, read this article. This test is necessary when you face the problem of too much or too little iron in your body.
