Ferritin Blood Test

Ferritin is a protein found inside cells that stores iron so your body can use it later for, amongst other things, the production of red blood cells.

This test can indirectly measure the amount of iron in your blood by calculating the level of ferritin. That's because the amount of ferritin in your blood is directly related to the amount of iron stored in your body. Low ferritin levels indicate iron deficiency, symptoms include pale skin, fatigue, dizziness and heart palpitations. If ferritin levels are low, additional tests including an iron test, TIBC and transferrin test are used to confirm a diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia. On the other hand high levels of ferritin could indicate you have haemochromatosis (iron overload syndrome) an inherited condition where your body cannot rid itself of iron and therefore it accumulates over time. High ferritin levels are also associated with liver inflammation.