Call 8872524007 to book, or walk in with your prescription.
What the Ferritin test checks
The test measures serum ferritin, usually in ng/mL (the same number as µg/L). Think of it as a reading of the iron "bank balance", while serum iron is the cash in your pocket today. One catch matters a lot: ferritin also rises whenever there's inflammation, infection or liver strain, because it behaves as an acute-phase protein. So a normal ferritin doesn't always mean normal stores.
Why your doctor may order it
- to confirm iron deficiency in someone who is tired, breathless, losing hair or craving ice or mud (pica)
- to check stores in pregnancy, after heavy periods, or in teenagers and blood donors
- to see whether iron tablets or an infusion have refilled stores
- to look for iron overload in people having regular transfusions, or with suspected haemochromatosis
- as part of a workup for fatty liver, chronic inflammation or unexplained raised liver enzymes
How to prepare
Ferritin doesn't change much with meals, so fasting usually isn't required. If the same draw includes iron studies, come fasting in the morning for those. Let us know if you had a fever, a recent infection or an iron injection in the last few weeks, because each can lift ferritin for a while. High-dose biotin supplements can affect some immunoassays; mention them.
Sample type and report time
- Sample: serum (red or yellow cap tube)
- Fasting: not needed unless combined with iron studies
- Report: same day or next day
Questions about combining tests on one draw? Call 8872524007.
Understanding your results
Reference ranges are wider than for most tests and differ between men and women. A commonly quoted adult range is roughly 30 to 400 ng/mL for men and 15 to 150 ng/mL for women, but the range printed on your report is the one that applies, since ranges vary by lab and method.
The WHO's 2020 guideline treats ferritin below 15 µg/L in adults as a sign of iron deficiency, and below 70 µg/L when infection or inflammation is present. Low ferritin is mostly linked with blood loss, poor intake, pregnancy or poor absorption. High ferritin can be associated with inflammation, infection, fatty liver, alcohol use, kidney disease, repeated transfusions and inherited iron overload. Your doctor reads the result alongside your symptoms and other tests, often with a CRP test to see whether inflammation is distorting it.
FAQ
Do I need to fast for a ferritin test?
Usually not. Fast overnight only if your doctor has added iron studies or another fasting test to the same slip.
Can ferritin be normal even if I'm low in iron?
Yes, when there's ongoing inflammation or infection. Ferritin rises with inflammation, so doctors sometimes use a higher cut-off or add other tests in that situation.
Is there a ferritin test near me in Banur with home collection?
Yes. We collect at home in Banur and nearby villages daily, and in Rajpura, Zirakpur and the Mohali side by appointment through home sample collection.
How soon after starting iron tablets will ferritin go up?
Haemoglobin often improves within a few weeks, but stores refill more slowly. Doctors commonly recheck ferritin after about three months.
What does very high ferritin mean?
It needs explaining rather than worrying about straight away. Inflammation and fatty liver are common causes; your doctor decides whether further tests for iron overload are needed.
Book at Alpha Laboratory
Book a ferritin test at our Banur lab on 8872524007 or WhatsApp us with your slip. We've served patients from Municipal Committee, M.C. Road since 2014; directions are on the contact page.