But known or unknown, it does not make Ferritin Testing any less important, especially as it is no secret our blood is our life force coursing through our veins, and it offers vital information into what our body needs or has too much of.
And that is why we will be talking about Ferritin testing today because without it, your health and overall well-being could be at risk.
What Is Ferritin?
On the off chance you are indeed NOT a medical professional, we will keep it simple.
Ferritin is a special protein that helps store iron in your body and only releases it when your body needs it. You can find ferritin in all of your cells, but it is predominantly found in the liver, spleen, muscles, and bone marrow.
And iron is important because it helps make haemoglobin, which is a part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. So, having enough iron, with the help of ferritin, is crucial for keeping you healthy because if you don’t have enough iron, your body cannot make enough haemoglobin, and this can lead to problems like feeling tired and weak, common signs of a condition called iron deficiency anaemia.
Why Ferritin Level Testing Matters
Iron deficiency anaemia aside, our ferritin levels tell us more than just how much iron we have stored. They can also hint at other health issues. For instance, high ferritin levels might point to inflammation or chronic conditions like liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, heart conditions, diabetes, or certain types of cancer.
Detecting these issues early through ferritin blood tests can lead to further examinations and timely treatment, helping to avoid more critical health complications down the line.
Here are several scenarios where ferritin testing is crucial:
- Diagnosis Of Iron Deficiency Anaemia: Iron deficiency anaemia happens when there are not enough red blood cells because there is not enough iron in the body. A ferritin test can help figure out if this type of anaemia is being caused by low iron stores, which is a frequent reason for it.
- Monitoring Iron Therapies: For patients who are taking iron supplements or undergoing iron therapy, it is important to regularly check ferritin levels. This helps doctors see how well the treatment is working and makes sure that the iron levels don’t become dangerously high.
- Assessment Of Chronic Diseases: High ferritin levels can indicate inflammation or chronic illnesses such as liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or certain cancers. This increase in ferritin often occurs in situations known as an acute phase response, where the body is reacting to something like an infection or injury.
- Investigating Hyperferritinemia: Elevated ferritin levels can indicate hemochromatosis, a genetic condition where the body accumulates too much iron. This excessive iron can harm important organs such as the heart, liver, and pancreas.
- Diabetes: Studies have shown that people with diabetes, especially those with high fasting blood glucose, might have higher ferritin levels. This increase is associated with diabetes-related complications like damage to the eyes, kidney disease, and problems with blood vessels.
How Is Ferritin Testing Done?
Ferritin testing can be done by collecting a blood sample through a standard blood draw, usually from a vein in the arm. The procedure is quick, and the risks associated with it are minimal, mostly involving slight pain or bruising at the puncture site. The results are typically available within a few days.
Interpreting Ferritin Test Results
The normal range of ferritin in the blood varies widely between laboratories but generally, normal values are:
- Men: 24 to 336 ng/mL
- Women: 24 to 307 ng/mL
Results outside of these ranges may indicate various health issues:
- Low Ferritin Levels: This usually signifies low iron stores and can confirm cases of iron deficiency anaemia. Low ferritin levels could also be due to poor iron absorption, which could stem from an underlying gastrointestinal condition such as celiac disease.
- High Ferritin Levels: While high ferritin can indicate good iron stores, excessively high levels might suggest conditions like hemochromatosis, chronic liver disease, chronic infections, inflammatory conditions, or even malignancies.
Benefits
Early Detection
Ferritin testing can help identify iron deficiency or overload early, often before serious symptoms develop, allowing for timely treatment.
Disease Management
In chronic conditions, such as chronic kidney disease or cancers, monitoring ferritin can help manage the disease more effectively.
Guiding Treatment
For conditions like iron deficiency anaemia, the ferritin level is essential to determining the cause and the appropriate treatment regimen.
Avoiding Complications
High ferritin levels, if left unchecked, can lead to severe consequences, including liver damage, diabetes, and heart problems. Conversely, low ferritin and the resultant iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, weakness, and compromised immune function.
All Things Considered
Ferritin testing is really important for finding out about different health issues that involve how the body handles iron.
By checking the levels of ferritin in the blood, doctors can understand how much iron is stored in the body. Like any medical test, understanding what ferritin levels mean should preferably be done by a doctor who always looks at the big picture, including the person’s overall health and other test results.
