BLOOD FERRITIN
Purpose of test:
Screens for iron deficiency and iron overload
Measures iron storage
Distinguishes between iron deficiency and chronic
inflammation
Patient preparation:
None required
Time before test results are available:
Test requires only a few minutes in the laboratory. Time before
results are reported to the doctor or patient varies from a few
minutes to a few days.
Normal values:
According to the Mayo Medical Laboratories, ferritin levels range
as follows:
Men--20 to 300ng/ml
Women--20 to 120ng/ml
Children 6 months to 15 years--7 to 140ng/ml
Children 1 month--200 to 600ng/ml
Newborns--25 to 200ng/ml
What "high" or "increased" may indicate:
Acute or chronic infection or inflammation
Chronic hemolytic anemia
Chronic kidney disease
Hodgkin's disease
Iron overload
Leukemia
Liver disease, acute or chronic
What "low" or "decreased" may indicate:
Iron deficiency
Taking these drugs may affect test results:
None expected
Other factors that may affect test results:
A recent blood transfusion may cause an increase in ferritin
levels
If tourniquest is applied on the arm too long (over 1 minute), it
may cause an inaccurate test result. Request another sample be
collected to ensure accuracy.
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