Ferritin Test - Price, Preparation, Procedure, Range - 2024

Table of Content

Introduction to Ferritin Test

Behind your good health, there lies a power of a protein called Ferritin. As an essential iron storage protein, ferritin has a significant role in storing & releasing the iron that fuels your body’s vitality. Low and high ferritin levels are not good and can cause many health issues. Its levels help healthcare practitioners assess iron status in your body and diagnose conditions related to low & high ferritin levels. If you are experiencing constant fatigue, weakness, pale complexion, brittle nails, restless leg syndrome, or other symptoms suggesting abnormal ferritin levels, your doctor may recommend a Ferritin Test. The test helps to determine the iron status in your body and confirm the cause of your symptoms. This test can uncover the truth behind your symptoms and brings the problem into the spotlight to ensure better tackling with the appropriate treatment.

Appropriate treatment requires a precise diagnosis of the conditions, and for accurate diagnosis, Redcliffe Labs is the reliable choice. Being a dedicated diagnostic service provider, we provide home testing for a Ferritin Test at highly competitive rates.

Ferritin Test Details In Brief:

Ferritin Test Cost in Different Cities - Redcliffe Labs

Note: We also offer Ferritin Test PAN India. Please call the number 8988988787 to check the availability of our services in your area.

Symptoms That May Call For A Ferritin Test:

Some several signs or symptoms indicate abnormal ferritin levels and may prompt a ferritin test, such as:

• Excessive Fatigue: Persistent fatigue or weakness is one of the common signs that your iron levels might not be in balance, and getting tested may be essential to confirm the cause and act accordingly.
• Pale Skin: The sudden change in the skin complexion, like paleness, is another common sign of abnormal ferritin levels.
• Shortness Of Breath: Inadequate iron levels contribute to less oxygen supply to tissues, which further causes difficulty breathing.
• Rapid Heartbeat: Iron deficiency leads to increased heart rate or irregular heartbeat due to low oxygen supply. Therefore, getting screened early is significant to confirm the cause and take control of the condition.
• Brittle Nails & Hair: Insufficient iron levels in the blood can lead to problems with nails and hair.
• Restless Leg Syndrome: Iron deficiency & leg syndrome causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs & uncontrollable urge to move them.

These symptoms can be possible in any other condition too. Therefore, getting tested in time is essential to confirm the cause of your symptoms and help doctors guide appropriate treatment, depending on your situation. So, if your doctor has prescribed the Ferritin Blood Test, do not delay and seek assistance today.

Top Benefits Of Ferritin Levels Test:

• Assess Iron Status: Getting Ferritin Levels check helps doctors measure the amount of iron in your blood and diagnose deficiency or iron overload. This measurement helps healthcare practitioners get an insight into the iron status and suggest appropriate medical treatment to bring the balance.
• Identify Underlying Cause: There are several health conditions, including chronic diseases, certain types of cancers, inflammatory disorders, or liver problems, contributing to abnormal ferritin levels. A Ferritin Level Test helps identify what causes the abnormality, enabling targeted diagnosis & appropriate management.
• Preoperative Assessment: A ferritin test may also help assess an individual’s iron status before a critical surgery or procedure involving significant blood loss. It helps healthcare practitioners to reduce complications.
• Guide Treatment: Assessing the iron status in your body helps healthcare providers suggest treatment and determine the dosage appropriately according to your body & health requirements.
• Monitor Treatment Response: Further, the test helps monitor the treatment response, allowing healthcare providers to alter or adjust your therapy or medicine according to the need.

Overall, a Ferritin Lab Test can provide valuable insight into your health by helping measure iron levels, aiding in diagnosing & monitoring ailments associated with iron deficiency or iron overload and other illnesses. Moreover, it adds to the overall care & management of the condition.

Purpose Of A Ferritin Test:

A doctor may suggest a ferritin test to determine total iron storage capacity in the body, and the test serves the following purposes:

• Check Iron Deficiency: A ferritin test checks the iron storage levels in the body to help confirm iron deficiency, especially in pregnant women, infants, children, & other groups affected with certain medical conditions that affect iron levels.
• Check Iron Overload: Additionally, the ferritin test looks for excessive iron accumulation or iron overload in the body, which, if left unaddressed, can lead to several chronic health conditions, like diabetes, cirrhosis, & heart issues.

Preparations Required For A Ferritin Test:

General guidelines to follow for a Ferritin Test include the following:

• A Ferritin Test is a simple blood examination that requires no fasting or dietary restrictions and can be done any time of the day.
• Moreover, sleeping before the test and stressing less is essential to ensure hormones are in balance.
• If you take any prescribed or non-prescribed medicines like Ayurvedic or herbal supplements, it is critical to keep your healthcare provider informed and follow their instructions.
• Do not stop or take medicines without consulting your healthcare provider.
• Follow all their instructions to keep the accuracy of the test results intact.

Following instructions from your healthcare provider is essential to avoid discrepancies in the test results and ensure maximum accuracy.

Procedure Of A Ferritin Test:

A simple blood test includes the following steps:

• A phlebotomist will tie a band around the arm and ask you to make a fist to find the vein.
• They will then clean the site using an antiseptic with the help of cotton gauze.
• A phlebotomist will then insert a syringe to withdraw the required amount of blood.
• The blood will be collected in a vial and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
• After the procedure, the band will be removed, and a cotton gauge will be placed at the punctured site.
• They may also put a bandage on the punctured site to prevent infection.

The procedure may cause a little pain, discomfort, or bruising at the punctured site. These symptoms will fade away with time. However, if the problem persists, it is essential to seek medical help at the earliest is essential.

Ferritin Test Normal Range:

The Ferritin normal range may vary from lab to lab due to several reasons, and therefore, the interpretation should be done by a professional.

Ferritin Test Result Interpretation:

• Low Ferritin Levels: If Ferritin Levels are lower than normal, it suggests iron deficiency anemia or other health problems associated with low iron levels. If left unaddressed, Low Ferritin Levels can lead to several health issues, like heart problems, infections, and more.
• High Ferritin Levels: On the contrary, if ferritin levels are higher than normal, it implies too much iron in the body, indicating Liver Disease, Hyperthyroidism, Hemochromatosis, and other conditions.

Whether the levels are high or low, getting tested in time is essential to take control of the condition, minimize complications and initiate treatment as early as possible. So, book your Ferritin Blood Test at home with Redcliffe Labs now.

5 Factors Affecting Ferritin Levels

Factors that can affect ferritin levels in the body include: 

• Age: Age does play an important role as ferritin levels decrease due to age. 
• Gender: Another factor that can affect ferritin levels is gender. Ferritin levels are lower in women than men due to the psychological loss of blood. 
• Diet: Eating a diet that lacks iron can be a major cause of concern. It is because it can cause low ferritin levels. Add green leafy vegetables, eggs, and meat into your diet to increase iron in your body. Besides, tea and coffee contain tannins, which can interfere with iron absorption. 
• Alcohol consumption: Reduce your alcohol consumption, contributing to the low ferritin levels significantly. It can also damage your liver. 
• Certain medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids can interfere with iron absorption and cause low ferritin levels. 

Tips To Balance Abnormal Ferritin Levels:

• Identify Underlying Cause: One of the significant steps that can make a difference in your journey to balance ferritin levels is diagnosing the cause of this abnormality. Therefore, book a Serum Ferritin Test to confirm the cause and initiate the preventive measures & treatment in time.
• Take Medicines As Prescribed: Your doctor may suggest a treatment or medication, depending on the status of your ferritin levels. Thus, take the medicines as prescribed to ensure optimum results.
• Eat A Balanced Diet: Diet is another factor that increases normal ferritin levels. If your iron levels are low, your doctor may suggest iron-rich foods. They may recommend foods that can balance iron levels if the levels are high.
• Consider Regular Monitoring: Furthermore, routine monitoring of ferritin levels may be necessary to help healthcare providers assess the effectiveness or response of the treatment and suggest adjustments as required.

These are simple guidelines that can make a significant impact on the health. Therefore, take the Ferritin Lab Test to measure, monitor & manage ferritin levels.

Other Tests to Detect Iron Deficiency Anemia: 

In case of a low ferritin level, your healthcare provider may order additional tests to detect the iron deficiency anemia, such as:

1. Serum iron: It checks iron in the liquid part. 

• Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC): This test is performed to measure iron levels. The test helps calculate how much iron relates to the protein transferrin, carrying iron in your blood. 
• Hemoglobin and hematocrit: Hemoglobin helps RBCs carry oxygen in all body parts. It is a part of RBC. On the other hand, hematocrit points towards the percentage of RBCs in your blood. |
• Complete blood count (CBC): This blood test can reveal a wide range of conditions, including anemia. 
• HFE gene test: It is done to check if you have hemochromatosis. 
• Zinc Protoporphyrin: It measures the iron levels that can cause toxicity. 

2. High ferritin levels can also cause discomfort due to the following reasons: 

• Stomachache
• Heart palpitations
• Chest pain
• Unexplained weakness
• Joint pain 
• Unexplained fatigue 
• Liver damaged or spleen 
• Erectile dysfunction 

3. Check the effectiveness of the treatment of iron deficiency anemia: Your doctor may also recommend the test if you have already been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia and are being treated for it. Through this test, the doctor will monitor the treatment and any signs of improvement. 

No matter the reason, if your healthcare provider has suggested a ferritin test, get yourself tested immediately. Early and accurate detection helps reduce healthcare costs, mortality from disease, and patient quality of life. 

Are ferritin and iron the same?

No, ferritin and iron are not the same. 

Below is a table showing the difference between ferritin and iron: 

Are there any side effects associated with the test?

No, there are no side effects associated with the ferritin test. A small blood sample is required to check the low or high ferritin levels. 

While obtaining the blood from your vein, you may feel some discomfort. However, the chances are almost none, but after the test, you may experience: 

• Too much bleeding 
• Lightheadedness
• Feeling faint
• Bruising
• Infection 

Note: Kindly seek medical assistance immediately to prevent serious complications. Any carelessness will reap negative health results. 

How can you increase low ferritin levels?

Low ferritin levels need to be evaluated. This is when an expert’s intervention is necessary to check the severity of the deficiency and its causes. 

Foods that can help increase low ferritin levels are: 

• Lean red meat
• Oysters
• Lentils, beans, and tofu
• Raisins
• Eggs
• Fortified breakfast cereals
• Dark leafy greens

Some foods and beverages that can affect your iron absorption include: 

• Foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, dark green vegetables, and bell peppers, may help increase iron absorption. 
• Compounds such as polyphenols promote health-promoting benefits. However, they can also harm the body by lessening the absorption and bioavailability of essential nutrients, particularly iron. 
• Iron supplements can increase ferritin levels. Hence, they must be used in a limited amount under the guidance of a doctor. 

How can you lower high ferritin levels?

High ferritin levels mean high iron levels, so the underlying cause needs to be addressed. Treatments for too many ferritin levels include primary hemochromatosis and chelation therapy. 

• Primary hemochromatosis is the most common treatment for eliminating too much iron from the body. Also known as hereditary hemochromatosis or classical hemochromatosis, it is a blood test that reveals issues with the DNA. 
• Chelation Therapy: Although not a first option, a healthcare provider may suggest chelation therapy. In this treatment, the doctor gives the patient oral or injected medicine to remove excess iron from the body. 

Nevertheless, other treatment options are also available. Depending on your health condition, consult your doctor for the best treatment possible. 

Ferritin Test for Kidney Conditions

Lower and higher serum ferritin levels are linked with poor kidney function. However, the association is debatable and inconsistent and needs more study. Hence, the ferritin test may or may not be suggested. 

Ferritin Test for Liver Conditions

The serum ferritin test has revealed that people with hemochromatosis are at a greater risk of developing cirrhosis. However, the risk is low if the serum ferritin levels are less than 1000 mg/L. 

A note from Redcliffe Labs! 

Healthy India ki Trusted Labs- Redcliffe Labs is the fastest-growing omnichannel in India, providing world-class diagnostic services in over 220 cities. It is among the country's most trusted labs that offer a full body checkup at home, blood tests online with free home sample collection, and other pathology services are also available. Further, it alets youdiscover the most affordable health tests and packages within your budget for proactive well-being. Get the most accurate health reports within a given time frame. 

Delay No More! Book Your Ferritin Test With Redcliffe Labs for INR 399 Only!

Measuring ferritin levels early is essential to ensure that you can get control over the condition. It helps healthcare practitioners to suggest preventive measures and treatments that can help bring the balance. So, if you are looking for a reliable diagnostic service provider for a ferritin blood test, call or download the Redcliffe mobile app to book the test online. The ferritin test price at Redcliffe Lab is INR 399 only. Enjoy the most professional blood sample collection service at your doorstep. 

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. A ferritin test may be suggested to measure ferritin levels. It is a quick test that involves taking a blood sample from your vein without too many preparations. 

If your ferritin test shows high or low levels, this may indicate an underlying condition, such as iron deficiency anemia, hemochromatosis, or certain types of cancer. 

Nevertheless, a healthcare provider may suggest additional testing to confirm a diagnosis and make an effective treatment plan.