What is a ferritin blood test?

A ferritin blood test measures the level of ferritine in the body, explains MedicineNet. As ferritin is the major iron storage protein in the body, ferritin blood tests can indirectly measure iron levels. No special preparation is required before the blood test.

Normal ferritin levels typically range from 12 to 150 nanograms per milliliter of blood for females and from 12 to 300 nanograms per milliliter of blood for males, according to MedicineNet. Elevated levels of ferritin can indicate liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers or an iron storage disorder such as hereditary hemochromatosis. Low levels of ferritin indicate iron deficiency anemia.