Buy a ferritin blood test and measure your iron stores

Ferritin is the protein that stores iron, so your ferritin level can say something about your iron stores. A low ferritin is often one of the earliest signs of an iron deficiency, sometimes before other values change.

A ferritin test gives you a concrete data point that may help put symptoms such as fatigue into context. It is not a diagnosis, but a starting point for a conversation with your doctor.

This test can be of interest to women who:

• often feel tired or low on energy
• notice more hair fall than usual
• have heavy or long periods
• eat a vegetarian or vegan diet and want to check their iron stores

Because menstruating women can be more prone to a deficiency through monthly blood loss, this test may offer reassurance or clarity.

This test measures a single blood value:

• Ferritin: the protein that stores iron and reflects your iron stores. To learn more about this value, read our explanation of ferritin.

Your ferritin value shows how much iron your body has in reserve, something a single serum iron measurement does not always reveal.

A ferritin measurement can indicate whether your iron stores are on the low or high side. A low ferritin can point to depleted iron stores and is often linked to fatigue, hair loss, and difficulty concentrating.

A higher ferritin can, among other things, fit with inflammation in the body and, less often, with iron overload. What your value means depends on your situation and is assessed by the doctor.

For this test, blood is drawn at a certified sample point. There are more than 750 locations across the Netherlands, so you can often choose one close to home.

After ordering online, you pick a sample point and a time that suits you. The blood is drawn by trained staff.

You might consider this test when:

• you feel persistently tired without a clear reason
• you notice more hair fall or find it harder to concentrate
• you have heavy periods and want to keep track of your iron stores
• you follow a plant-based diet and want to know how your iron is doing

Ferritin does not depend on your cycle, so you can have blood drawn on any day of the month, which makes planning easier.

Your result shows your ferritin alongside a reference range, so you can see whether your value falls within the expected range. What counts as a normal ferritin level varies by lab, age, and sex, so numbers alone say little.

Ferritin values in women, for example, can differ from those in men, partly because of menstruation. That is why a BIG-registered doctor always reviews your result and places it in context.

For a ferritin measurement you usually do not need to fast. If you take iron supplements, ask your doctor whether it is wise to pause them the day before, as this can temporarily affect the value.

Because ferritin is not cycle-dependent, you can choose a moment that suits you.

Your result is available online within a few working days, with your value, a reference range, and a clear explanation, so you can see where you stand.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.