Symptoms of low levels of ferritin and iron in your body (iron deficiency anemia) include4:
- Paler-than-usual skin
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heartbeat
Iron is an essential mineral that carries oxygen throughout the body in red blood cells. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron for future use when the body needs it most. While an iron test gives the current amount of iron in your blood, this ferritin test measures your body’s overall iron storage and determines if you have a healthy amount of iron in your body.
When iron levels drop too low, your body cannot make enough hemoglobin to produce the red blood cells it needs. As a result, you may become anemic, which may cause you to feel tired, dizzy, or short of breath. If left untreated, anemia may worsen and lead to additional symptoms. If iron levels get too high, your body absorbs more than is needed, which may be a sign of additional health problems like liver disease, heart problems and diabetes.
Preparation: If you’re taking a supplement containing biotin (also called vitamin B7 or B8, vitamin H, or coenzyme R), commonly found in products promoting nail, skin and hair health, it is recommended that you wait at least 72 hours from your last dose before sample collection.
Iron-deficiency symptoms develop over time and may initially be mild but can worsen over time if not treated.
Symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, chills, dizziness and difficulty concentrating.¹
Symptoms of anemia caused by iron deficiency can be alleviated by adopting to an iron-rich diet, including legumes, protein (beef, poultry, eggs) and vegetables (dark, leafy greens).²
Symptoms of anemia caused by iron deficiency can be alleviated by adopting to an iron-rich diet, including legumes, protein (beef, poultry, eggs) and vegetables (dark, leafy greens).²
Your health care provider may prescribe an iron supplement if you are diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia by your provider.
Some people at greater risk for developing iron-deficiency anemia, including2,3:
Some people at greater risk for developing iron-deficiency anemia, including2,3:
• Women during their reproductive years, due to lost blood during menstruation.
• Vegetarians, because iron from grains and vegetables is not as readily absorbed as iron from meat.
• Pregnant or nursing women who need more than their otherwise recommended daily amount of iron.
1. Cleveland Clinic. Iron-Deficiency Anemia. Cleveland Clinic website. Accessed November 30, 2022. Reviewed April 21, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22824-iron-deficiency-anemia
2. Mayo Clinic. Anemia. Mayo Clinic website. Updated February 11, 2022. Accessed November 9, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360
3. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Iron-Deficiency Anemia. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute website. Updated March 24, 2022. Accessed November 9, 2022. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/iron-deficiency-anemia
4. Cleveland Clinic. Ferritin Test. Cleveland Clinic website. Reviewed May 17, 2022. Accessed December 16, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17820-ferritin-test
5. MedlinePlus. Ferritin Blood Test. MedlinePlus website. Reviewed January 1, 2022. Accessed December 16, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003490.htm
<p>1. Cleveland Clinic. Iron-Deficiency Anemia. Cleveland Clinic website. Accessed November 30, 2022. Reviewed April 21, 2022. <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22824-iron-deficiency-anemia" target="_blank">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22824-iron-deficiency-anemia</a></p> <p>2. Mayo Clinic. Anemia. Mayo Clinic website. Updated February 11, 2022. Accessed November 9, 2022. <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360" target="_blank">https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360</a></p> <p>3. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Iron-Deficiency Anemia. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute website. Updated March 24, 2022. Accessed November 9, 2022. <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/iron-deficiency-anemia" target="_blank">https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/iron-deficiency-anemia</a></p> <p>4. Cleveland Clinic. Ferritin Test. Cleveland Clinic website. Reviewed May 17, 2022. Accessed December 16, 2022. <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17820-ferritin-test" target="_blank">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17820-ferritin-test</a></p> <p>5. MedlinePlus. Ferritin Blood Test. MedlinePlus website. Reviewed January 1, 2022. Accessed December 16, 2022. <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003490.htm" target="_blank">https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003490.htm</a></p>
A protein that stores iron inside your red blood cells.
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Ferritin is a protein found in the blood that stores iron and releases it when the body needs it. Iron is a mineral present in red blood cells that carries oxygen. By taking a ferritin test, you can determine if your body is storing a healthy amount of iron.
Symptoms of low levels of ferritin and iron in your body (iron deficiency anemia) include4:
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