Ferritin

The body's iron is stored by ferritin, which is a protein. A normal level of ferritin is important for the body's formation of hemoglobin which takes place through iron.

Testmottagningen.se - Health checks for increased well-being

Discover our health checks

Contents

What is ferritin?

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body. Iron is a mineral that we get through the food we eat. Iron is needed to form hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin captures the oxygen in the lungs and then transports it out to the body's cells and tissues.

What can a low or an elevated value of ferritin mean?
In case of iron deficiency, the levels of ferritin decrease, which indicates a lack of iron absorption. Therefore, measurements of ferritin are often used to assess a person's iron status. A low level of ferritin is a sign of iron deficiency anemia, while high levels may indicate excessive iron storage in the body.

Symptoms of iron deficiency:

Tired and powerless
Dizziness
Concentration difficulties
Rapid breathlessness
Headache
Heart palpitations
Ear ringing

Tests containing the marker Ferritin

Health checks

Health check - Female

Woman

50 Biomarkers

Blood sample

Sampling for this test is done via a venous blood sample. The sample is usually taken from a vein in the crook of the elbow and is performed by trained healthcare professionals. How much blood you are allowed to give depends on the number of health markers to be analyzed. The sampling usually takes a few minutes.

Fasting

This test requires you to fast before sampling. Fasting means that you are not allowed to eat or drink anything for at least 10 hours before your scheduled time for sampling. However, a glass of water is fine to drink during the fast. Any medications are taken as usual unless your doctor has given other instructions.