17820 Ferritin Test

Overview

A ferritin test is a simple blood test. Ferritin is a protein in your body that stores iron, so measuring how much ferritin is in your blood gives your doctor a good picture of how much iron your body has in reserve. The number '17820' is simply a laboratory order code — the name a clinic or lab uses on its system for this test. It is not a disease, and having the test does not mean anything is wrong. It is a way of checking your iron levels so your doctor can understand symptoms such as tiredness, or keep an eye on a long-term condition.

Yes. The ferritin test is one of the most commonly ordered blood tests worldwide. It is often done as part of a general check when someone feels tired, and it is regularly repeated to monitor people with known iron problems or long-term inflammatory conditions.

Anyone can have a ferritin test. It is especially common in people with periods, people who are pregnant, vegetarians and vegans, frequent blood donors, people with gut conditions that affect nutrient absorption, people with long-term inflammatory or liver conditions, and anyone with a family history of iron overload. Children and older adults may also have it if their doctor suspects an iron problem.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• The ferritin test itself causes no symptoms. These are the everyday problems that often lead a doctor to order it.
• Feeling tired, weak, or low on energy even after rest
• Looking pale, or feeling dizzy or light-headed when standing up
• Getting out of breath more easily than usual, for example on stairs
• Headaches, trouble concentrating, or a foggy feeling
• Brittle nails, hair thinning, or a sore tongue
• Restless legs at night, or unusual cravings for ice or non-food items
• For high ferritin: joint pain, stomach discomfort, unusual tiredness, or a bronzed, greyish skin tone

Symptoms in children

• Tiredness, irritability, or being less active than usual
• Poor appetite or slower growth than expected
• Trouble concentrating at school or falling behind
• Looking pale, or catching infections more often
• Unusual cravings for ice, dirt, or paper (tell your doctor about this)

Symptoms in older adults

• Ongoing tiredness, weakness, or reduced ability to do everyday tasks
• Breathlessness, palpitations, or dizziness that may lead to falls
• Confusion or memory changes that are new
• Ferritin can also rise with age-related inflammation, so a high result needs careful interpretation

Causes

Main causes

• Too little iron in the diet, especially without enough vitamin C to help absorption
• Blood loss, such as heavy periods, bleeding in the gut, or frequent blood donation
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding, which use up iron stores
• Gut conditions that make it harder to absorb iron, such as coeliac disease or inflammation of the bowel
• Intense endurance exercise, which can lower ferritin in some people
• A high ferritin often means inflammation or infection somewhere in the body, because ferritin rises as part of the body's defence response
• Liver disease, heavy alcohol use, or a condition called fatty liver
• An inherited condition called haemochromatosis, where the body absorbs too much iron from food
• Repeated blood transfusions, or, rarely, some blood and liver conditions

Risk factors

• Having monthly periods, especially heavy ones
• Being pregnant or recently having a baby
• Following a vegetarian or vegan diet without planning iron sources
• Donating blood often
• A family history of haemochromatosis or iron overload
• Long-term conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, or inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
• Regular heavy alcohol use
• Obesity and metabolic problems, which can raise ferritin
• Stomach surgery or long-term use of acid-reducing medicines, which can affect iron absorption

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You have chest pain, fainting, or severe breathlessness — call your local emergency number straight away
• You notice black, tarry stools or blood in your vomit — seek emergency care
• You have a racing heartbeat with dizziness or feel very unwell
• You have heavy vaginal bleeding that soaks through protection quickly
• Your skin or eyes look yellow, or your tummy is swelling

Book a routine appointment if:

• You have felt unusually tired for more than a few weeks
• You look pale or feel dizzy when you stand up
• You have a family history of haemochromatosis or iron problems
• You want to start iron supplements and have not had your iron checked
• You have a long-term condition and your doctor wants to monitor your iron levels

Diagnosis

The ferritin test is done by taking a small sample of blood, usually from a vein inside your elbow. You normally do not need to fast, though your clinic will tell you if they want you to. The sample goes to a laboratory, and the result is usually ready within a few days. Ferritin is rarely checked on its own — your doctor will usually order it with other tests so the whole picture makes sense.

Tests that may be done

• Full blood count — shows the size and number of your red blood cells
• Ferritin level — shows how much iron you have in storage
• Serum iron and transferrin saturation — shows how much iron is circulating and how well it is being carried
• Markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein, because inflammation can raise ferritin and hide a low iron level
• Coeliac screening, if a gut absorption problem is suspected
• Stool tests, if there is any concern about bleeding in the gut
• Liver tests, and sometimes a genetic blood test if iron overload is suspected
• In some cases, a repeat test after a few weeks to see which way the level is moving

What to expect at your appointment

The blood draw takes only a minute or two. You may feel a quick pinch, and a small bruise afterwards is normal. You can eat, drink, and drive as usual. Some people feel a little light-headed — sit for a moment and have a drink before leaving. When results come back, your doctor will explain them in the context of your symptoms and other tests, and will tell you whether anything needs to change.

Treatment

There is nothing to 'treat' about the test itself. What matters is what the result shows. If your ferritin is low, the aim is to find out why iron is low and to rebuild your iron stores. If it is high, the aim is to work out the cause — often inflammation, liver health, or alcohol — and to address that. In both cases, the ferritin level is a guide, not the goal by itself.

Self-care at home

• Eat iron-rich foods such as beans, lentils, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, and lean meat or fish if you eat them
• Have a source of vitamin C with meals — citrus fruit, peppers, or tomatoes — as it helps your body absorb iron from plant foods
• Keep tea, coffee, and calcium supplements away from mealtimes, as they can block iron absorption
• Do not start iron supplements on your own — too much iron can be harmful, so ask your doctor first
• If you drink alcohol, keep within your country's low-risk guidelines, as alcohol affects both iron and the liver
• Keep a simple note of your symptoms and energy levels so you can tell your doctor what has changed

Medical treatments

Treatment depends entirely on the cause. If iron is low, your doctor may recommend a course of iron supplements taken by mouth, sometimes alongside vitamin C, and will usually arrange a repeat blood test after a few months to check that stores are recovering. They will also look for the reason iron was low — for example heavy periods or bleeding in the gut — because treating the cause is what stops the problem coming back. If iron is high, the focus is on the underlying condition: treating inflammation or infection, supporting liver health, reviewing alcohol intake, and reviewing any medicines or supplements. In true iron overload, such as haemochromatosis, doctors sometimes remove blood regularly in a clinic, similar to a blood donation, to bring iron levels down. Your doctor will explain which approach suits you and will monitor you with repeat tests.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not used to treat a ferritin result. Occasionally, if bleeding in the gut is found to be the reason for low iron, a procedure to look inside the bowel or to treat the bleeding point may be needed. Your doctor will discuss this with you if it applies.

Living with this condition

Most people with an abnormal ferritin result carry on with normal life. The main day-to-day task is noticing how you feel, taking any prescribed supplements as agreed, and going to follow-up blood tests. Keep your results somewhere you can find them, and mention the ferritin level whenever another clinician asks about your history.

Lifestyle tips

• Build regular, gentle activity into your week — it helps energy levels and overall health
• Aim for consistent sleep, since tiredness from low iron and poor sleep can feel similar
• If you donate blood, tell the donation service about any low ferritin result
• Plan meals around iron-rich foods a few times a week rather than making big sudden changes
• Limit alcohol and avoid unnecessary supplements, especially those containing iron

Diet and exercise

A balanced diet is the foundation. Plant sources of iron — lentils, beans, tofu, spinach, fortified cereals — are absorbed better when eaten with vitamin C, so pairing them with fruit or vegetables helps. If you eat meat or fish, these are good sources of iron that the body absorbs easily. Tea, coffee, and large amounts of calcium close to meals can reduce absorption, so leaving a gap of an hour or two can make a difference. Exercise is encouraged; if you feel very tired, start gently and build up. If you are a endurance athlete, ask your doctor or a sports dietitian about monitoring your iron.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Low iron can affect mood, concentration, and sleep, and feeling constantly tired can wear you down. High ferritin results can also cause worry while you wait for answers. These feelings are understandable and worth mentioning to your doctor — they are part of the picture, not a separate problem. If you are feeling low, anxious, or overwhelmed, support is available. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a crisis helpline in your country straight away, and reach out to someone you trust.

Prevention

You cannot prevent the need for a blood test, but you can lower your chance of iron problems. Eating a varied diet with enough iron and vitamin C, limiting alcohol, and getting heavy periods or gut symptoms checked early all help. If you take iron supplements, take them only as advised and have your levels checked rather than continuing indefinitely.

Screening programmes

There is no general population screening programme for ferritin. Doctors check it when there is a reason — symptoms, a known condition, or a family history. If a close relative has haemochromatosis, your doctor may suggest a simple genetic blood test and iron checks, because early treatment prevents long-term problems.

Complications

If left untreated

• Iron deficiency anaemia, which can cause lasting tiredness, breathlessness, and reduced ability to work or exercise
• In pregnancy, low iron is linked to more tiredness and, rarely, problems for mother and baby
• In children, low iron can affect growth, behaviour, and learning
• Untreated iron overload can damage the liver, heart, joints, and hormone-producing glands over many years
• Missing the underlying cause of an abnormal result, such as bleeding in the gut or liver disease

Long-term outlook

The outlook is generally very good. Most causes of an abnormal ferritin result are found easily and respond well to treatment — iron stores can be rebuilt, and inflammation or liver problems can be managed. Iron overload is treatable, especially when picked up early. The important thing is to follow up on your result and any repeat tests rather than leaving it, and to tell your doctor if your symptoms change.

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