Ferritin
Private Ferritin blood test in London for £55, measuring one iron-storage marker with results expected in approximately 2–3 business days.
Turnaround time
2-3 business days
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Ferritin
The Ferritin blood test measures Ferritin, the body's principal iron-storage protein.
The test contains 1 biomarker: Ferritin.
Iron is required for Haemoglobin production, oxygen transport, energy metabolism and many cellular enzymes.
Ferritin stores iron safely inside cells and releases it when the body needs additional iron.
The blood Ferritin concentration is therefore commonly used as the single most useful marker of body iron stores.
A low Ferritin concentration is strongly supportive of iron deficiency.
Importantly, Ferritin can fall before Haemoglobin becomes low, meaning iron deficiency can exist before iron-deficiency anaemia develops.
This is particularly relevant in people with heavy menstrual bleeding, gastrointestinal blood loss, pregnancy, restrictive diets or malabsorption.
Ferritin can also be high.
However, high Ferritin does not automatically mean there is excess iron.
Ferritin behaves as an acute-phase protein and can increase during infection, inflammation, liver disease, metabolic dysfunction and other illnesses.
When iron overload is suspected, Ferritin should therefore be interpreted alongside Serum Iron, Transferrin Saturation and Total Iron Binding Capacity.
Persistent high Ferritin with increased Transferrin Saturation can raise suspicion of an iron-loading disorder such as hereditary haemochromatosis.
Ferritin results should be interpreted according to symptoms, sex, menstruation, inflammation, liver health and previous results.
What Does the Ferritin Test Check?
This test measures 1 biomarker.
Ferritin
Measures the principal iron-storage protein and provides information about body iron reserves while also acting as a non-specific acute-phase marker during inflammation.
Who May Benefit From the Ferritin Test?
Ferritin testing is useful when iron deficiency, iron overload or changing iron stores are being investigated.
People with persistent fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance - Iron deficiency is one possible cause.
People with heavy menstrual periods - Chronic menstrual blood loss is a common cause of iron depletion.
People with hair shedding or thinning where nutritional deficiency is being investigated - Low iron stores can contribute to diffuse hair loss in some individuals.
People with restless legs symptoms - Low iron stores can be relevant in selected cases.
Pregnant women or people planning pregnancy - Iron requirements increase substantially during pregnancy.
Vegetarians or vegans with possible low iron intake - Dietary iron availability can differ according to food sources.
People with gastrointestinal disease or malabsorption - Conditions affecting the intestine can reduce iron absorption.
People taking iron supplements - Repeat Ferritin can help monitor whether stores are improving.
People with a family history of haemochromatosis - Ferritin may contribute to initial assessment alongside Transferrin Saturation.
People with a previous high Ferritin result - Additional iron studies and inflammation markers can help determine why it is raised.
How to Prepare
Do not take high-dose iron supplementation indefinitely without appropriate monitoring.
When Ferritin is unexpectedly high, a full iron profile and inflammatory markers can provide substantially more information than Ferritin alone.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Ferritin Test
Symptoms of low iron stores can develop before overt anaemia becomes apparent.
Persistent fatigue or reduced energy - Iron depletion can affect cellular function even before severe anaemia develops.
Reduced exercise tolerance - Iron deficiency can impair oxygen transport and physical performance.
Shortness of breath on exertion - This becomes more likely once iron deficiency progresses to anaemia.
Hair shedding or diffuse thinning - Low iron stores can contribute in selected individuals.
Restless legs - Reduced iron stores are associated with restless legs syndrome in some patients.
Headaches or dizziness - These symptoms can occur with iron-deficiency anaemia but are non-specific.
Pale skin - Pallor can occur when Haemoglobin becomes significantly reduced.
Brittle nails - Chronic iron deficiency can affect nail quality.
Heavy periods or other ongoing blood loss - Chronic blood loss can progressively deplete iron stores.
A previous abnormal Ferritin result - Repeat testing can establish whether iron stores are recovering or continuing to fall.
These symptoms can have many other causes and should not automatically be attributed to iron deficiency.
Significant shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, black stools or heavy uncontrolled bleeding requires prompt medical assessment.
How to Book Your Ferritin Test
Booking your Ferritin blood test with London Blood Tests is straightforward.
Choose the Ferritin
Select the individual Ferritin blood test.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum is analysed for Ferritin concentration.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised Ferritin result is delivered securely and can be reviewed alongside the Full Blood Count and other iron studies.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current London Blood Tests product turnaround for Ferritin is approximately 2–3 business days after your sample reaches the laboratory.
Ferritin itself is a routinely processed biochemical marker, although customer-facing reporting allows time for laboratory analysis, authorisation and secure release.
The reporting period begins from laboratory receipt rather than necessarily from the exact time your sample is collected.
Occasional repeat analysis or sample-related issues can extend the expected turnaround.
Understanding Your Results
A low Ferritin concentration is strongly supportive of depleted iron stores.
Iron deficiency can be present even when Haemoglobin remains within the normal range.
If Ferritin is low, the underlying reason should be considered rather than simply replacing iron indefinitely.
Possible causes include menstrual blood loss, gastrointestinal bleeding, low dietary intake, pregnancy and malabsorption.
A result within the reference interval generally indicates measurable iron stores, although inflammation can artificially increase Ferritin and make deficiency more difficult to recognise.
A high Ferritin result can arise from iron overload but can also reflect infection, chronic inflammation, liver disease, alcohol-related liver injury or metabolic dysfunction.
Transferrin Saturation is particularly useful when distinguishing possible iron overload from a non-specific inflammatory Ferritin increase.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
Private Ferritin testing in London - Access individual iron-storage testing privately.
Sensitive marker of iron deficiency - Ferritin can fall before Haemoglobin becomes abnormal.
Useful for supplement monitoring - Repeat testing can show whether iron stores are recovering.
Relevant to fatigue and hair-loss assessment - Low iron stores can contribute in selected patients.
Useful when iron overload is suspected - Ferritin can be interpreted alongside other iron studies.
Clinic and home collection options - Professional blood collection can be arranged.
Secure reporting - Receive your authorised result securely.
Clear pricing - The Ferritin test costs £55.
Private Ferritin Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Ferritin testing in London for people requiring targeted assessment of body iron stores.
The test costs £55 and measures one biomarker: Ferritin.
Results are expected approximately 2–3 business days after laboratory receipt.
Ferritin is particularly useful for detecting iron depletion but should be interpreted carefully when infection or inflammation is present.