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Ferritin Test
✅ Up to date🔬 Evidence: StrongHematology
Diğer adları: Ferritin level, Iron stores test, Serum ferritin
⚠️
Discuss your test results with your doctor. This page is for informational purposes only and does not provide a diagnosis.
⚡ Key Facts
• Primary indicator of the body's iron stores
• Also an acute phase reactant — may rise with infection or inflammation independently of iron status
• Low ferritin strongly suggests iron deficiency
• High ferritin requires clinical context (inflammation, liver disease, or iron overload)
🧪 What Does This Test Measure?
The ferritin test measures the level of ferritin protein in the blood, which is the primary indicator of the body's iron stores.
📋 Why Is It Ordered?
Ordered for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia evaluation, investigation of unexplained fatigue or hair loss, and assessment of elevated ferritin levels.
🔧 Preparation
Fasting is generally not required for this test. However, some centers prefer morning collection under fasting conditions.
📊 Reference Ranges
Iron deficiency: <15 µg/L (healthy adults)
With inflammation: <30 µg/L (children), <70 µg/L (adults) may still suggest iron deficiency
Normal range varies by age, sex, and laboratory
⚠️ Reference ranges vary. Discuss your results with your doctor.
⬆️ High Values
Elevated ferritin may be associated with infection, inflammation, liver disease, alcohol use, or iron overload (hemochromatosis). High ferritin does not always mean excess iron.
⬇️ Low Values
Low ferritin strongly suggests iron deficiency. It may be associated with inadequate dietary iron, malabsorption, chronic blood loss, or increased requirements such as pregnancy.
⚙️ What Can Affect Results?
Certain conditions may make ferritin less reliable as a reflection of iron status: infection, inflammation, liver disease, obesity, alcohol, iron supplements, and timing.
🔬 Evidence Summary
Strong evidence: 2 guidelines, 2 systematic reviews, 3 reviews.
✅ Key Takeaways
💡
What you learned: Ferritin is the primary marker of iron stores, but it also rises with inflammation. Low ferritin almost always suggests iron deficiency; high ferritin should be interpreted alongside clinical context.
⛔
A ferritin result alone cannot diagnose iron deficiency or iron overload. Inflammatory markers and clinical context are needed for definitive evaluation.
🔬 Sources Used on This Page
7 sources · Most recent publication: 2022📋
Guideline
Expert society and guideline recommendations
2
sources
📊
Systematic review / meta-analysis
Combined analysis of multiple studies
2
sources
📖
Review
Comprehensive topic evaluation
3
sources
Overall assessment: Evidence level for this topic is strong. This page is supported by 2 guidelines, 2 systematic reviews/meta-analysis, 3 reviews.
📝 Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Be prepared for your appointment. Add questions to your list.
Last reviewed: 3/26/2026
Next review: 6/26/2026
⚖️ Comparisons
🔗 Related Topics
🩺 Iron deficiency anemia🩺 Hemokromatoz🧪 Hemogram (Tam kan sayımı)🧪 Demir bağlama kapasitesi (TDBK)🧪 Transferrin satürasyonu🧪 CRP (C-reaktif protein)
⚖️ This page does not replace medical advice. Make treatment decisions with your doctor.
Content is based on scientific studies indexed in PubMed and current clinical guidelines.
Content is based on scientific studies indexed in PubMed and current clinical guidelines.