Low Cost Ferritin Blood Testing From HealthCheckUSA
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Ferritin Blood Testing Analysis
Composed of iron and protein, Ferritin is a storehouse for iron in the body. Measurement provides an accurate picture of how much iron you have available in reserve. It is used to evaluate anemia and for diagnosing iron deficiency. Low Ferritin is a sign of iron deficiency. Ferritin is high with inflammation, infection, liver disease, iron overload, certain amends and certain cancers (leukemia and lymphoma). Symptoms of low ferritin include fatigue, depression, weakness, achiness, breathlessness, and/or others. Optimal range is 70 – 90. Iron Deficiency Blood Testing.
Ferritin Blood Testing: Low Levels of Ferritin
Low levels of ferritin can indicate several different health issues. They can indicate either anemia, restless leg syndrome, or iron deficiency.
Anemia, indicated by low levels of ferritin, can be caused by low levels of iron or a reduction in iron. Symptoms of anemia include mild skin paleness, less pink in the lips and the nail beds, irritability, fatigue and dizziness with a rapid heartbeat. It is very important to have children showing these symptoms to get tested, according to the Nemours Foundation, as anemia can cause developmental delays and behavioral problems.
Ferritin Blood Testing: High Levels of Ferritin
High levels of ferritin can occur in patients with hemochromatosis, inflammation, liver disease, infection, and certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma and leukemia.
Hemochromatosis is an inherited disease found mostly in Caucasians. Hemochromatosis interferes with the body’s ability to get rid of iron. Over time, there is a buildup of iron in the tissues and organs which can lead to the dysfunction and failure of several organs. Complications of this disease can lead to diabetes, heart failure, heart attack, arthritis and cirrhosis of the liver. Discuss with your doctor the ordering of the ferritin test if you are concerned with this genetic disease.
Ferritin Blood Testing: How It is Done
The ferritin test is a simple sample test completed by drawing blood from the vein in your arm. If you have any questions about this test or any other lab test we offer, please contact one of our health experts.
Common Questions
1) Is iron deficiency the same thing as anemia? What are the symptoms?
Iron deficiency refers to a decrease in storage iron, while anemia refers to a drop in the amount of hemoglobin in blood. It takes at least several weeks after iron stores are depleted for anemia to develop. Early iron deficiency usually causes no effects at all. If a person is otherwise healthy, symptoms seldom appear before the hemoglobin in your blood drops below a certain level (10 g per deciliter). Some signs that your body is low in iron include tiredness and heart palpitations.
As your iron continues to be depleted, you may have shortness of breath and dizziness. If the anemia is severe, angina (chest pain), headache, and leg pains may occur. Children may have learning (cognitive) disabilities. Besides the general symptoms of anemia, there are certain symptoms that are characteristic of iron deficiency. These include pica (cravings for specific substances, such as licorice, chalk, dirt, or clay), a burning sensation in the tongue or a smooth tongue, sores at the corners of the mouth, and spoon-shaped finger- and toe-nails.
2) What are signs of iron overload in my system?
The most common symptom is pain, as iron accumulates in your body, usually in your joints. Other symptoms include fatigue and lack of energy, abdominal pain, loss of sex drive, and heart problems. Some people, however, have no symptoms of this condition.
3) What foods contain the most iron?
If lab tests show that you are anemic, eating foods that contain iron, such as red meat, can help. Some good choices for an iron-rich diet include: meats, liver, eggs, green leafy vegetables (spinach, collard greens, kale), wheat germ, whole grain breads and cereals, raisins, and molasses. If you have been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, or you are pregnant or breast feeding, vitamin pills or tablets are usually needed to provide extra iron. Ask your doctor about the right supplement for you.
4) Who needs iron supplements?
The people who typically need iron supplements are pregnant women and patients with documented iron deficiency.
5) Does anemia due to iron deficiency happen quickly or does it take a long time?
Iron deficiency anemia comes on gradually. When your rate of iron loss exceeds the amount of iron you absorb from the gut, iron stores are slowly used up. At this stage, ferritin will be low, but serum iron and TIBC are usually normal and there is no anemia. As iron deficiency worsens, serum iron levels fall, TIBC and transferrin rise, and anemia starts to develop. With prolonged or severe iron deficiency, the red cells become small and pale.
6) Does donating blood affect my iron levels? Yes.
Every time you donate a pint of blood, your body loses about 250 mg of iron. The level of serum ferritin, which is a reflection of the total amount of storage iron, drops with each donation. The more blood you donate, the lower the ferritin becomes. Other tests, such as serum iron and TIBC, are not as affected by blood donation.
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Iron Deficiency Blood Testing from HealthCheckUSA
Test Includes:
Ferritin, serum
