Ferritin
A look at your body’s stored iron, from one blood draw.
- 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
- Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
- Ordered by a licensed clinician
At a glance
- Collection
- Blood drawA standard blood draw at the lab.
- Preparation
- NoneNothing to do ahead of time. Water is fine.
- Results
- 1 to 2 daysTypical turnaround after your visit.
- Where
- 2,000+ lab locationsNationwide, with nothing due at the lab.
About this test
Ferritin is the protein your body uses to store iron, so its level in the blood reflects your iron reserves. A low ferritin points to depleted stores. Ferritin can also rise with inflammation, infection, or liver stress, so a high result is read in context. No fasting is needed.
For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.
Who should take this test?
This test is for adults who often feel tired, notice hair shedding, have heavy periods, or want to check their iron stores as part of routine care. Commonly related symptoms include:
Body
- Tiredness or weakness
- Breathless with activity
- Cold hands and feet
Skin
- Pale skin
Head
- Lightheadedness
Hair
- Hair shedding
Reproductive
- Heavy periods
Ask about this test
Not sure this is the right test?
AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.
What does this test measure?
Your result shows how much iron your body is holding in reserve, which can help you and a healthcare provider see whether your stores look low or high and what to check next.
- Ferritin
- Ferritin is the protein that stores iron in your body, so the level in your blood reflects your iron reserves. A low level points to depleted stores. Ferritin also rises with inflammation, infection, and liver stress, so a higher level is read in context with iron and TIBC.
- Why it’s measured: Reflects your stored iron, often checked with a blood count.
How it works
- Step 1
Order online
Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.
- Step 2
Visit a lab
Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. No fasting needed, and nothing is due at the lab.
- Step 3
Get your results
Results post to your account, usually in 1 to 2 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.
Find a lab near you
Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.
What your results tell you
Ferritin is reported in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) and shown next to the lab’s reference range, so you can see where yours falls.
- Your number next to the lab’s reference range
- Explained in plain language
- A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
- A lab report you can download and share
Low and high ferritin each have several possible causes. A healthcare provider can explain your result and what, if anything, to do next.
Ferritin, serum iron, or iron and TIBC?
Three iron tests, three different views of the same system.
Ferritin
The protein that stores iron, a view of your iron reserves.
- Shows
- Iron held in storage
- Timing
- Any time of day, no fasting needed
- Keep in mind
- Can rise with inflammation, so a high result is read in context
Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.
From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.
CLIA-certified labs
Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.
We protect your health data
We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.
Rigorous quality assurance
All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.
Clinician-reviewed reports
Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.
Related tests
Questions
Common questions.
Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.
Ferritin reflects the iron your body has stored. A result below the lab’s reference range suggests those stores are low. Ferritin is decreased in iron deficiency anemia.
A healthcare provider can look into the reason, such as blood loss or how much iron you take in, and decide what, if anything, to do next.
Ferritin can rise for reasons other than extra stored iron. Inflammation, infection, and liver stress can all push it up, and it is also raised in iron overload.
Because of this, a high ferritin is read in context, often alongside serum iron, TIBC, and saturation, before anyone draws a conclusion.
No. Ferritin needs no special preparation, so any time of day works and water is fine. If you add serum iron or iron and TIBC to the same visit, those are preferred in the morning after an overnight fast, so plan the visit around them.
Ferritin shows stored iron, not how much iron is moving in your blood or whether you have anemia. Because inflammation can raise it, a result in range does not always mean your stores are full. A healthcare provider may pair it with a blood count or iron and TIBC.
No. This test is not for emergencies. If you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, heavy bleeding, or black or bloody stools, get emergency care right away rather than waiting for a lab visit or a result.
Lab tests are informational and don’t diagnose conditions on their own. Available to adults 18 and older; test availability varies by lab location. A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test. All testing is performed at CLIA-certified laboratories. Not for emergencies: if you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911.