The Importance of Ferritin Test in Determining How Much Iron Your Body Stores

Ferritin is an iron-containing protein in your blood. With the help of a ferritin test, you get to measure the ferritin levels in your blood. The test results help in understanding the amount of iron stored by your body. Lower-than-normal ferritin levels indicate that your body has low iron content and that you are suffering from iron deficiency. It is an indication of anemic condition in an individual. A ferritin blood test cost is cheap so it is a good idea to get tested for early detection and treatment of any potential disorders.

If a ferritin test level is higher-than-normal, it indicates that there is too much iron stored in the body which is again a health disorder. This could be due to hyperthyroidism, inflammatory conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, or a possible liver disease. Certain forms of cancer also result in elevated blood ferritin levels.

Needing a Ferritin Test

You will likely be advised to undergo a ferritin test when your doctor suspects either too little or too much iron content in your body. Neither is an indication of a healthy being. Upon diagnosis, it can suggest several conditions such as:

• Anemia, from iron deficiency
• Hemachromatosis – a condition where your body absorbs too much iron from the consumed food
• An underlying liver condition
• Adult Still’s disease

If you are diagnosed with any of these conditions, your doctor will likely recommend further ferritin tests to help guide you through the condition, monitor you, and recommend a suitable path for treatment. You need not worry about the serum ferritin test price as these do not cost a lot.

Getting Prepared

There is no need for any special preparation to be taken for individuals undergoing a ferritin test and you can follow your regular schedule prior to the test. However, if there are other tests you are undergoing simultaneously, then you may be required to fast depending on their respective requirements. Consult your doctor for appropriate instructions.

For the test to be conducted you will need to give a blood sample that will be taken from your vein by a trained person at a diagnostic clinic. The sample gets sent for analysis to the concerned lab while you go back to their normal activities, awaiting the results.

Ferritin Test Results Interpretation

The normal range for ferritin in the blood is:

• For men, 24 – 336 micrograms per liter
• For women, 11 – 307 micrograms per liter

Test result lower than normal: It is an indication of anemia arising out of iron deficiency in your body. Your doctor will further try to understand the reason for iron deficiency in this case.

Test result higher than normal: Several conditions can possibly result in above normal ferritin levels. Further testing is usually required to diagnose the root cause behind these issues.

• Hemochromatosis
• Liver disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Alcohol abuse
• An overdose of iron supplements

Conclusion

Ferritin blood test is a simple, safe procedure conducted without any special preparations. If you are not sure of what your test results indicate, it is recommended that you follow up with your doctor to get a better understanding. Abnormal results could be indicative of an underlying issue that can be treated and cured if diagnosed at an early stage. Get yourself tested with affordable ferritin test cost in Kolkata from reputed diagnostic centers and enjoy a healthy, blissful life.