Quick answer
The Serum Ferritin Test costs ₹1,000 at Live Line Health Care. Measures ferritin, the protein that stores iron, to show how much iron your body has in reserve, often before anaemia develops. No fasting is needed. It uses a blood sample and the report is usually ready within 24 hours.
Also known as: Ferritin Test, Ferritin, Iron Ferritin, Serum Ferritin Level, Ferritin Blood Test, Iron Stores Test
What is the Serum Ferritin Test?
The serum ferritin test shows how much iron your body has in reserve. Ferritin is the protein that stores iron inside cells, mainly in the liver, spleen and bone marrow, and a small amount leaks into the blood in proportion to those stores. A low ferritin is one of the most reliable signs of iron deficiency, and it can appear months before haemoglobin falls. That makes it useful for people who feel tired or have hair fall while their CBC still looks normal.
Ferritin answers a different question from other iron tests. Serum iron shows what is moving through the blood at one moment, and TIBC shows the capacity to carry it, while ferritin shows what is saved up. Our Iron Studies test covers serum iron, TIBC and transferrin saturation but not ferritin, so doctors often order both together. Ferritin also has a catch: it rises during infection, inflammation, liver disease and some cancers, whatever your true iron level. A normal or high result in someone who is unwell can therefore hide iron deficiency. Very high values may point to iron overload, as in repeated transfusions for thalassaemia.
What it measures: The amount of ferritin in your blood, an indirect measure of the iron stored in your body.
Parameters included (1)
- Serum Ferritin (ng/mL)
Why is this test done?
- Confirming iron deficiency, the most common cause of anaemia
- Finding low iron stores before haemoglobin drops
- Evaluating fatigue, hair fall or restless legs
- Checking whether iron treatment has refilled the stores
- Monitoring iron overload in thalassaemia or after repeated transfusions
- Following up high iron results that may suggest haemochromatosis
When should you get tested?
- Tiredness that does not improve with rest
- Hair fall, brittle nails or pale skin
- An urge to move the legs at night
- Cravings for ice, mud or chalk
- Heavy periods, pregnancy or frequent blood donation
How to prepare for the Serum Ferritin Test
- 1No fasting is needed for ferritin alone. If it is booked with Iron Studies, follow the fasting and morning sample advice for that test.
- 2Tell staff if you have had an iron injection or blood transfusion, as ferritin can stay raised for weeks afterwards.
- 3Mention any fever, infection or long-term inflammatory illness, since these can raise ferritin.
- 4Tell staff about high-dose biotin supplements, which can interfere with some laboratory tests.
Serum Ferritin Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| Men | 30–400 ng/mL |
| Women | 15–150 ng/mL |
| Iron stores likely depleted | Below 15 ng/mLmany doctors treat values under 30 ng/mL as iron deficiency |
ng/mL and µg/L are numerically the same. In people with infection or inflammation, doctors may suspect iron deficiency at higher values, often below about 70 ng/mL. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- Low ferritin almost always means low iron stores. Your doctor will also want to find out why, for example heavy periods, pregnancy, poor diet, poor absorption or hidden blood loss.
- A normal ferritin with low serum iron and low TIBC can fit the anaemia of chronic disease, where iron is stored but not released for use.
- A mildly raised ferritin is common with infection, inflammation, fatty liver, diabetes, obesity and alcohol use, and does not always mean too much iron.
- A persistently high ferritin with high transferrin saturation may suggest iron overload, and your doctor may arrange further tests.
- Values in the thousands need prompt medical review, since they can occur with repeated transfusions, severe liver disease or serious inflammatory illness.
Health packages that include this test
The Serum Ferritin Test is included in these full body checkups:
Book the Serum Ferritin Test in your city
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Serum Ferritin Test – FAQs
What is the price of the Serum Ferritin Test?
The Serum Ferritin Test costs ₹1,000 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres and for home sample collection.
What is the difference between ferritin and iron studies?
Ferritin shows stored iron. Iron Studies measures iron in the blood (serum iron), the capacity to carry it (TIBC) and how full that capacity is (transferrin saturation). Ferritin is usually the better single test for iron deficiency, and the two together help when the result is unclear.
Can ferritin be normal if I have iron deficiency?
Yes. Ferritin rises during infection, inflammation and liver disease, so a normal value can hide low iron stores. Doctors then look at transferrin saturation, the CBC and your history. Repeating the test after an illness has settled may also give a clearer picture.
What ferritin level causes hair fall?
No exact level is proven. Iron stores are often checked in people with hair shedding, especially women, and ferritin below about 30 ng/mL is usually treated as iron deficiency. Hair fall has many other causes, including thyroid disease, stress and hormonal changes, so your doctor can advise which tests apply to you.
How long does it take to raise ferritin?
It rises more slowly than haemoglobin. Hb may improve within weeks, while refilling iron stores with tablets usually takes a few months of regular treatment. Your doctor will commonly retest ferritin about 3 months in, and will decide how long you need to continue.
Is high ferritin dangerous?
It depends on the cause. Mild rises often reflect inflammation, fatty liver or alcohol, and are not harmful by themselves. True iron overload can, over years, damage the liver, heart and pancreas. If your ferritin stays high, your doctor will check transferrin saturation and may advise further tests.
Do I need ferritin if my haemoglobin is normal?
Possibly. Iron stores run down first, and haemoglobin falls only after they are nearly empty. If you have heavy periods, tiredness or restless legs, or are planning a pregnancy, a ferritin test can show early depletion. Your doctor can tell you whether it is needed.
Where can I get the Serum Ferritin Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore, or book home sample collection.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.