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Blood and lab tests

What Is Ferritin on a Blood Test? Iron Stores Explained

Ferritin · say it: FAIR-ih-tinAlso written: serum ferritin, FER

Short answer

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron; its blood level gives a good idea of how much iron the body has in reserve.

What it means

Your body keeps spare iron inside a protein called ferritin, mostly in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. A small amount circulates in the blood, and that amount reflects the size of the stores.

A low ferritin is one of the most reliable signs of low iron stores, and can show up before hemoglobin falls. A high ferritin can be linked to iron overload, but it also rises with inflammation, infection, liver conditions and some other illnesses.

Because ferritin also behaves like an inflammation marker, a normal or high result does not always mean iron stores are full. Doctors may check it alongside other iron tests and CRP.

Where you may see it

  • Iron studies
  • Anaemia work-ups
  • Pregnancy and fatigue blood panels

📄 How it looks on a report

Ferritin 12 ug/L L

🙅 What it does not mean

  • A normal ferritin does not always rule out low iron, because inflammation can push it up.
  • A high ferritin does not automatically mean too much iron; inflammation and liver conditions can raise it.
  • Ferritin is not the same as hemoglobin; you can have low iron stores with a normal hemoglobin.

🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor

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🧩 Related words

HemoglobinMCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)CRP (C-Reactive Protein)Reference Range

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