Category: iron deficiency
What is Ferritin and what is the normal value of Ferritin?
Ferritin is essential for your iron metabolism and can tell a lot about your health. Find out how Bloodtesting.nl.com can measure and interpret your ferritin levels for personalized insights.
Do you know what ferritin is and what your ferritin level means for your health?
Ferritin is a crucial factor in the body's iron metabolism.
And its value in your blood can tell a lot about your overall well-being. In this blog post, we explore what ferritin is, how it is linked to inflammation, what the normal values are and how Bloodtesting.nl.com can help you with personalized reference values for your specific situation.
What is ferritin?
Ferritin is a protein complex found mainly in your liver, spleen and bone marrow, and it acts as the main store of iron in your body. It is essential for making hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen.
The normal value of Ferritin
Normal values for ferritin can vary depending on age and sex. In general, they range from 20 to 250 ng/mL for women and 20 to 500 ng/mL for men. Because reference values can vary individually, we always report the normal values appropriate to your gender and age when you receive your results.
Ferritin and inflammation
Ferritin is not only an indicator of your iron status; it is also an acute-phase protein, which means its levels can increase in response to inflammation in your body. Therefore, in addition to ferritin, Blood Values Test. can also measure high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a marker that accurately shows inflammation.
Symptoms of a low or high Ferritin level
Symptoms of a low ferritin level include fatigue, pallor, and general weakness, while a high ferritin level may indicate iron accumulation or chronic inflammation, resulting in symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, and heart problems.
Diagnosis and tests at Bloedwaardentest.nl
Wondering about your ferritin levels? Bloedwaardentest.nl offers a simple blood test to measure your ferritin levels. We also give you insight into how your values compare to standardized norms for your demographics. This can help you take the necessary steps, such as adjusting your diet, starting supplements, or further investigating possible underlying conditions.
Treatment and management of Ferritin levels
If your ferritin level is off, it is important to address it.
Low ferritin levels are often treated with iron supplements and dietary modifications.
When ferritin levels are high, it is important to conduct further medical research to determine the cause, such as inflammation or iron-stacking diseases, and to establish a treatment plan if necessary.