Note reference ranges do change depending on the laboratory conducting the analysis. Source: Forth Life laboratory reference range. In these instances, the increased ferritin levels are not a reflection of the body’s iron stores. It is important to note that ferritin levels can be raised in certain conditions, including: The average result of customers who have used Forth to test their ferritin levels is 72.93ug/L with 36% of people falling into the lower quarter of the normal range or below. Normal ferritin levels are between 13 and 150 µg/L, although this can change depending on the laboratory testing the sample. If a ferritin test comes back showing a risk of iron deficiency, further tests may be suggested by a medical professional, including a test for iron itself.
By assessing the levels of ferritin in the body, you can clearly identify whether you might be iron deficient or even have levels that are raised. Ferritin Is The Best Indicator Of Iron Deficiencyįerritin is therefore the best indicator of iron deficiency. Most ferritin is found in the liver but it can also be present in the spleen, bone marrow and muscles. Ferritin has a vital function in the absorption, storage and release of iron. Ferritin is, therefore, a good indicator of how much iron is stored within your body with low levels indicating iron deficiency anaemia.Īpproximately one-quarter of the total iron in the body is stored as ferritin. Ferritin is a blood protein and is the main storage protein for iron, alongside hemosiderin. To put it simply, iron is a key mineral within the body and is present in red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. Why is this biomarker used and how is it different from iron? If you’ve recently had a blood test to check for iron deficiency or are thinking of taking an iron deficiency blood test, you may be a bit confused about the biomarker Ferritin.