Ferritin
Measures ferritin, the protein that stores iron in your cells. Shows iron reserves before hemoglobin drops and can rise with inflammation or iron overload.
Ferritin is the protein your cells use to store iron and release it when you need to build red blood cells or run enzymes. A ferritin blood test is an indirect look at iron stores; it often moves before hemoglobin crashes, so it catches draining iron early. Doctors pair it with a CBC when fatigue, restless legs, heavy periods, or gut bleeding are in the story, and to watch iron overload or inflammation. MedlinePlus notes even values inside the printed range can still fit low iron if the trend and symptoms line up.
Self-Pay Price Comparison
| Provider | Price | vs. Highest | Order |
|---|---|---|---|
Quest QuestHealth self-pay | Not Available | N/A | Check Provider Site · Quest |
LabCorp Labcorp OnDemand | $59.00 | Highest | Order · LabCorp |
GoodLabs Discount lab network | $9.00Best value | Best price | Order · GoodLabs |
What This Test Measures
Ferritin is reported as one serum concentration in nanograms per milliliter. Here is what that iron-storage signal means:
Iron-storage protein that holds reserves for future red blood cells; low means stores are draining or empty, high means inflammation, liver stress, or iron overload until the rest of the labs prove which story fits.
How to Read Your Results
Sex-specific bands and inflammation effects make ferritin easy to misread alone. Here is what the three common rows are trying to say:
| Marker | Normal Range | If Flagged | What It Might Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferritin (reference bands) | Male: 30-400 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL); Female: 13-150 ng/mL (MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Ferritin blood test). | abnormal | MedlinePlus states normal bands may vary slightly by laboratory. The lower the ferritin, even within the printed range, the more likely iron stores are thin. One result in isolation rarely tells the full story. |
| Ferritin (low) | Same reference bands as above; overlap with iron-deficiency anemia when stores are depleted. | low | MedlinePlus links low ferritin with diets low in iron, bleeding, heavy periods, or poor absorption. Your doctor often pairs it with hemoglobin, MCV, and iron studies. |
| Ferritin (high) | MedlinePlus lists causes such as alcohol-related liver disease, some autoimmune conditions, frequent transfusions, or hemochromatosis (iron overload). | high | Ferritin is also an acute-phase reactant, so inflammation alone can push it up. High numbers warrant context, not automatic labels from one draw. |
When to Order
Annual baseline
Not everyone screens ferritin yearly; many doctors add it when iron deficiency risk, inflammation, or liver iron overload is on the radar.
Fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, or restless legs
Those symptoms overlap many issues, but low ferritin often shows up before hemoglobin falls when iron stores are draining.
Heavy menstrual bleeding or recent blood loss
Ongoing losses strip iron stores; ferritin shows the bank account before the CBC screams anemia.
Plant-forward diet without fortified foods
Less heme iron from meat makes stores easier to deplete; ferritin quantifies whether supplements or diet tweaks are worth discussing.
Family history of iron overload or frequent transfusions
High ferritin can mean extra iron in the body; your doctor reads it next to symptoms, liver tests, and genetics when needed.
Prep & Logistics
- Fasting
- Typically no fasting
- Sample
- Blood draw
- Results
- Usually 24-48 hours; many portals update the same day or the next.
- Referral
- Often self-order (check local rules)
- Markers
- Serum ferritin in ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter).
Tests That Pair With This One
Hemoglobin and red cell indices when ferritin hints draining iron or anemia.
Serum iron and binding studies when ferritin and hemoglobin disagree about true iron status.
B12 when macrocytic cells or neuropathy ride alongside iron-poor stores.
FAQ
Is ferritin enough or do I need iron and TIBC too?
Ferritin is the usual first look at iron stores. Iron, TIBC, and saturation add detail when ferritin is borderline, inflammation could fake a high ferritin, or your doctor is sorting true deficiency from anemia of chronic disease.
My ferritin is 18 but the lab says normal. Could I still be low on iron?
Maybe. MedlinePlus notes that lower ferritin inside the band can still mean stores are running light, especially if symptoms or a low hemoglobin match. Your doctor may repeat labs or add iron studies.
Why is my ferritin high when I feel tired?
Ferritin rises with inflammation and some liver conditions, not only with iron overload. Fatigue has many causes; your doctor usually reads ferritin next to CBC, liver enzymes, and your history.
Can I test right after a long run or a cold?
Inflammation from hard training or illness can bump ferritin short term. If the story is muddy, your doctor may repeat the test when you are well.
Sources
Prices pulled directly from provider websites and verified by hand. Reference ranges sourced from MedlinePlus. Not generated by AI.
- GoodLabs - product page (pricing context)(verified 2026-03-23)
- LabCorp OnDemand - ferritin test (pricing context)(verified 2026-03-23)
- MedlinePlus - Ferritin Blood Test overview
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - Ferritin blood test (reference ranges)
- Clinical context: LabRecon editorial team. Not medical advice. For informational use only.
Acute-phase protein reflecting total body iron stores. Decreased in iron-deficiency anemia; elevated in hemochromatosis and inflammatory states.
Ordering note
Phase 3 backlog: Quest standalone ferritin null here - add SKU URL and price when scraped.