What is the Ferritin test?

Normal ferritin levels for adult males range from 20-250 ng/ml, whereas, for females, it ranges from 10-120 ng/ml, and for children up to 15 years, it ranges from 7-140ng/ml. If your ferritin levels test results range lower or higher than these levels, it indicates either iron deficiency or iron excess in the body.

High ferritin levels produce severe inflammatory effects and cytokine storms, which is the main cause of severity and death in COVID-19 patients. People who are immunocompromised and diabetics have shown high ferritin levels in their bodies during tests upon hospitalisation. Therefore, high-level ferritin in the body can be considered a risk factor for developing COVID -19 infection.

You have prescribed a ferritin test if you show cardinal symptoms of iron deficiency or iron overload during the medical checkup. Sometimes, it can also be prescribed as a part of routine blood screening to know whether iron supplements are working adequately or not. In symptoms of iron excess, it is prescribed to know iron overload status.

During tests, you are advised to fast for 12 hours or overnight. The blood sample is drawn from the forearm vein by tying a tourniquet around the arm. This blood is then tested for ferritin levels and other iron tests to know the status of excess or lack of iron in the body.

Many diseases can cause low ferritin, like impaired iron absorption through diet or  H.pylori infection. It can be due to excessive menstrual bleeding and lack of iron in diet leading to iron deficiency anaemia in women. Other causes are Inflammatory bowel disease, haemorrhoids, gastric malignancy, and some genetic diseases like sickle cell anaemia.

Ferritin level in the body is a direct representation of the iron storing capacity of the body. If serum ferritin levels fall below 10-20 ng/ml, it indicates iron deficiency anaemia. This can lead to a lack of oxygen in the blood, causing extreme fatigue, breathlessness, minor palpitations, dizziness, and paleness of skin.

The symptoms of high ferritin levels include 

• bronze colour skin
• generalised weakness
• high blood glucose levels
• liver cirrhosis
• pancreatitis
• hyperthyroidism
• iron fist or pain in knuckles
• arrhythmias or irregular heartbeat
• pain in joints
• loss of libido or sex drive
• erectile dysfunction in males
• changes in the menstrual cycle in females 
• liver, breast, and pancreatic cancer in advanced condition.

High ferritin level is due to a genetic condition called hemochromatosis, which cannot be cured but can be treated with certain treatment modalities like Phlebotomy, where some amount of blood is removed weekly or twice yearly to balance the iron content in the blood. Other therapy is chelation therapy and avoiding an iron-rich diet and supplements.

Ferritin levels increase in diseases like kidney failure, liver diseases, certain autoimmune conditions, and cancers. The most common cancers associated with high ferritin levels are liver cancer, breast cancer, blood cancer like leukaemia, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. High serum ferritin level increases the chance of developing liver cancer in hemochromatosis patients, a genetic disease causing iron overload in the body.

Serum ferritin levels greater than 200 ng/ml in women and 300 ng/ml in men are considered abnormally high. It indicates that your body is excessively storing ferritin and may indicate a condition called hemochromatosis. It is a genetic condition that causes liver, kidney, and pancreas impairment. Iron overload is a dangerous condition that can subsequently lead to malignancy.

For any questions regarding the Ferritin test, connect with our team of experts. Book an appointment with us today at Yashoda Hospitals.