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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffA ferritin test reveals important information about how much iron is in your body.
Ferritin is a protein in your cells that stores iron for later use. A ferritin test measures the amount of ferritin in your blood. This measure correlates with the total amount of iron stored in your body.
If a ferritin test reveals that your blood ferritin level is lower than normal, it indicates you have iron deficiency. If a ferritin test shows higher than normal levels, it could indicate that you have a condition that's characterized by iron overload. It could also point to liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory conditions, malnutrition or hyperthyroidism. Some types of cancer also may cause your blood ferritin level to be high.
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- Ferritin. Lab Tests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ferritin/test.html. Accessed Jan. 4, 2009.
- Ferritin. In: Gomella LG, et al. Clinician's Pocket Reference. 11th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2699841&searchStr=ferritin. Accessed Jan. 4, 2009.
- Beutler E. Iron deficiency. In: Lichtman MA, et al. Williams Hematology. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2141359&searchStr=iron+deficiency. Accessed Jan. 4, 2009.
- Laboratory reference values. Ferritin. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; Dec. 2008.
