Ferritin test

A ferritin test measures the amount of ferritin in the blood. Ferritin is a blood protein that contains iron. This test can be used to find out how much iron the body stores. If a ferritin test shows that the blood ferritin level is low, it means the body's iron stores are low. This is a condition called iron deficiency. Iron deficiency can cause anemia.

A ferritin test can diagnose or suggest: Iron deficiency anemia. A condition that causes the body to absorb too much iron from food, called hemochromatosis. Liver disease. A rare type of inflammatory arthritis called adult Still disease. A health care professional might also suggest a ferritin test for people who have a condition that results in too much iron in the body, such as hemochromatosis. Ferritin tests can help watch the condition and guide treatment.

If your blood sample is being tested only for ferritin, you can eat and drink as usual before the test. If your blood sample will be used for other tests, you might need to fast for a time before the test. A member of your health care team will tell you what to do.

During the ferritin test, a member of your health care team puts a needle into a vein in your arm and takes a sample of blood. The blood sample is sent to a lab for study. Most people can go back to your usual activities right away.