Ferritin

Clinicians order ferritin to check iron stores when you’re tired, pale, or have hair loss or restless legs. It helps guide workups for anemia, chronic inflammation, or possible iron overload. Results often lead to follow-up iron studies or checks for bleeding or inflammation. You can test this marker with Aniva across Germany and Finland.

Clinicians order ferritin to check iron stores when you’re tired, pale, or have hair loss or restless legs. It helps guide workups for anemia, chronic inflammation, or possible iron overload. Results often lead to follow-up iron studies or checks for bleeding or inflammation. You can test this marker with Aniva across Germany and Finland.

High: Often rises with inflammation, liver conditions, alcohol use, or iron overload. Check C-reactive protein, transferrin saturation, and other iron studies.
Low: Usually points to low iron stores and possible iron deficiency. Consider diet, blood loss, and a complete blood count. If you were recently ill, retest after recovery if results seem unclear.

Common factors that can skew results include acute infections, inflammatory flares, recent surgery or injury, strenuous exercise, pregnancy, and heavy alcohol use. High-dose biotin supplements may interfere with some immunoassays. Recent iron infusions or blood transfusions can raise ferritin. Dehydration and sample handling issues can also shift results slightly.

Special situations: During pregnancy, chronic inflammation, kidney disease, or liver disease, confirm with an iron panel and C-reactive protein, or consider soluble transferrin receptor.