Ferritin blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Ferritin is a protein that holds iron inside the body. The small amount of ferritin in your blood reflects how much iron you have in storage, which is why it is widely used to check for low iron stores. A low ferritin level is a clear sign of iron deficiency.

Ferritin is also an acute phase protein, which means it rises during infection or inflammation. A normal or high result can therefore sometimes hide low iron, and a raised result does not always mean you have too much iron. Your practitioner reads ferritin alongside your symptoms and, where helpful, other iron and blood count results.

The price includes your sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a review of your result with an Omnia practitioner, and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You feel tired and short of energy, or notice breathlessness, palpitations, headaches or paler skin than usual.
• You have heavy periods, are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy, which are common reasons for low iron.
• You have noticed hair shedding or restless legs and want to check your iron stores.
• You are taking iron supplements and want to see whether your stores have recovered.
• You have a family history of haemochromatosis and want to check for high iron.

Understanding your result

Ferritin is reported in µg/L. Ranges vary between laboratories, so always read the range printed on your report. As an example, the pathology service at North Bristol NHS Trust uses adult ranges of 11 to 310 µg/L for women and 24 to 340 µg/L for men.

A result inside the laboratory range does not always mean your iron stores are healthy. NHS Lothian guidance treats a ferritin below 30 µg/L as diagnostic of iron deficiency, so a level in the 20s can still point to low stores. A raised ferritin has several possible causes, including infection or inflammation, long-term liver disease, alcohol, too much iron from supplements, and haemochromatosis. Your practitioner may suggest transferrin saturation or a repeat test to clarify a high result.

If your result shows low iron and there is no obvious reason, such as heavy periods, see your GP. Bleeding from the stomach or bowel is another common cause of iron deficiency, and your GP can arrange further tests.

Preparing for your test

You do not usually need to fast for a ferritin test on its own. If you have had a recent infection or feel unwell, tell your practitioner, because ferritin can read higher than your true stores while inflammation is present. Let us know about any iron supplements you take and if you use high-dose biotin, as biotin can affect some laboratory tests.

For a fuller picture, our full iron studies add serum iron, TIBC, transferrin and transferrin saturation, and a Full Blood Count checks for anaemia. Read ferritin levels explained for more on results, or compare every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a ferritin blood test in Chiswick?

The Ferritin Test costs £49 at our Chiswick clinic. This includes your blood sample, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a review of your result with an Omnia practitioner and a GP feedback report on request. No GP referral is needed.

What ferritin level means iron deficiency?

NHS Lothian guidance treats a ferritin below 30 µg/L as diagnostic of iron deficiency, even though some laboratory ranges start lower. Your practitioner will explain where your result sits.

Can my ferritin be normal if I am anaemic?

Yes. Inflammation can push ferritin up, and anaemia has causes other than low iron, such as low vitamin B12 or folate. A Full Blood Count and iron studies help to separate these.

Is a ferritin test the same as an iron test?

No. Ferritin shows stored iron, while serum iron shows the iron circulating in your blood at that moment. Full iron studies measure both.