$7.00
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Blood & iron
Ferritin test
Iron storage protein; low levels may point to iron deficiency before anemia develops.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Ferritin is the protein that holds iron in storage, so it can show how full your iron reserves are. It can be the first result to drop when iron runs low.
Why it matters for women
Periods, pregnancy, and childbirth can all use up iron, so low iron can be common in women, especially with heavy periods. Ferritin can fall well before anemia appears on a blood count, and low stores may leave you tired or shedding more hair than usual.
You might check it if…
- your periods are heavy or long
- you often feel tired, weak, or short of breath
- you’re shedding more hair than usual
- you’re planning a pregnancy or recently gave birth
What your result may mean
High Ferritin: what it may mean
High ferritin may point to too much stored iron (iron overload), including hemochromatosis, an inherited condition. It can also rise with inflammation, infection, liver disease or alcohol use, so a high value can't settle the question on its own. In women, periods can hide inherited iron overload until after menopause. Tiredness and joint pain may appear, and some people may feel fine. Transferrin saturation can help tell these reasons apart, and recent iron supplements can matter too.
Low Ferritin: what it may mean
Low ferritin may point to low iron stores (iron deficiency), and it can drop well before anemia appears on a blood count. Heavy periods, pregnancy, childbirth, eating little iron and gut conditions such as celiac disease can all drain your stores. You may feel tired, shed more hair than usual, feel dizzy or get restless legs, or you may have no symptoms. Inflammation can push ferritin up and hide low stores, so iron and transferrin results can add useful context.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.