Ferritin test: measure your iron stores

Ferritin is the protein that stores iron, so your ferritin level can say something about your iron stores. A low ferritin is often one of the earliest signs of an iron deficiency, sometimes before other blood values change.

A ferritin test gives you a concrete data point that may help put symptoms such as persistent fatigue into context. It is not a diagnosis, but a starting point for a conversation with your doctor.

This test can be of interest if you:

• combine long working days with a busy life and notice your energy running short

• train or exercise regularly and want to keep track of your recovery

• eat a vegetarian or vegan diet and want to check your iron stores

• want a preventive check to calmly build up a view of your health

With a demanding schedule, vague symptoms such as fatigue can go unnoticed for a long time. A measurement may then offer clarity or reassurance.

This test measures a single blood value:

• Ferritin: the protein that stores iron and reflects your iron stores. To learn more about this value, read our explanation of ferritin.

Your ferritin value shows how much iron your body has in reserve, something a single serum iron measurement does not always reveal.

A ferritin measurement can indicate whether your iron stores are on the low or high side. A low ferritin can point to depleted iron stores and is often linked to fatigue and reduced concentration.

A higher ferritin can, among other things, fit with inflammation in the body and, less often, with iron overload. What your value means depends on your situation and is assessed by the doctor.

For this test, blood is drawn at a certified sample point. There are 700+ locations across the Netherlands, so you can often find one close to home or work.

After ordering online, you pick a sample point and a time that fits your agenda. The blood is drawn by trained staff.

You might consider this test when:

• you feel persistently tired without a clear reason

• you notice your concentration or sports performance declining

• you follow a plant-based diet and want to know how your iron is doing

• you want to repeat the test periodically as part of a preventive check

Ferritin does not depend on your cycle or a fixed time of day, so you can have blood drawn on any day, which makes planning around a busy agenda easier.

Your result shows your ferritin alongside a reference range, so you can see whether your value falls within the expected range. What counts as a normal ferritin level varies by lab, age, and sex, so numbers alone say little.

A BIG-registered doctor always reviews your result and places your ferritin value in the context of your symptoms and background, so you know what the number may mean in your case.

Your result is available online within a few working days, with your value, a reference range, and a clear explanation, so you can see at a glance where you stand.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.