After The Test & Treatment Options
After the Test
Once your specimen is submitted, results are typically processed and available within a few business days. However, processing times may vary. When ready, your results will be delivered in a clear, easy-to-understand report. If any results suggest a potential infection, you’ll receive a call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent physicians are also available to answer any questions or discuss your results in detail.
Treatment Options
As part of your purchase, you have the opportunity to consult with an independent physician. If appropriate, they may be able to prescribe treatment based on your test results.
Age: 18+
Must be 18+ to order blood tests.
Collection Method
In person at a location
Test Details & What It Measures
A Ferritin test measures the level of ferritin in your blood, which is a protein that stores iron and releases it when your body needs it. Ferritin is the most reliable indicator of your body’s iron reserves. When ferritin levels are low, it usually means your iron stores are depleted, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia—a condition that causes fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Conversely, high ferritin levels can occur in conditions such as hemochromatosis (iron overload), chronic inflammation, liver disease, or certain infections and cancers.
Normal ferritin levels vary by age and sex. In adult women, normal levels are generally between 15 to 150 ng/mL, and in adult men, levels typically range from 24 to 336 ng/mL. Values below this range may indicate iron deficiency, while elevated levels may suggest inflammation or iron overload. A ferritin test is often done alongside other iron studies (like serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation) to get a complete picture of iron status.
Citations
Camaschella, C. (2015). Iron-deficiency anemia. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(19), 1832–1843.
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1401038
