Ferritin Blood Test

Apr 3, 2026

Ferritin Blood Test

A ferritin blood test measures your body's iron stores—making it the most sensitive and important marker for detecting iron deficiency, often falling to low levels months or years before haemoglobin drops or anaemia develops, and before symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, and brain fog become severe. Ferritin is also a crucial marker for iron overload conditions and can indicate inflammation.

At Blood Test London, ferritin testing costs from £245 with results in 2-3 days. A doctor always reviews every result.

Check Your Ferritin Level

Why Ferritin Is So Important

Ferritin vs Other Iron Tests

Test	What It Shows	Sensitivity
Ferritin	Iron STORES (reserve tank)	First to fall, most sensitive
Serum iron	Iron in blood RIGHT NOW	Fluctuates daily
Haemoglobin	Oxygen-carrying capacity	Falls late (anaemia stage)
TIBC	Iron-binding capacity	Less specific

Key insight: You can have "normal" haemoglobin but LOW ferritin—meaning you're depleted but not yet anaemic. This is when symptoms often begin but get dismissed.

Understanding Ferritin Levels

Reference Ranges

Ferritin (μg/L)	Interpretation
Below 15	Deficient (iron stores depleted)
15-30	Low (suboptimal, may cause symptoms)
30-70	Low-normal (functional in some)
70-150	Optimal for most people
150-300	Upper normal
Above 300	High (investigate cause)

"Normal" vs "Optimal"

Critical point: Many labs report ferritin "normal" above 15-20 μg/L. But:

For optimal energy: Aim for 70-100+ μg/L
For hair growth: At least 70 μg/L, ideally 100+
For athletic performance: 50-100+ μg/L
For pregnancy: 70+ μg/L before conception

You can feel terrible with "normal" ferritin of 20.

Symptoms of Low Ferritin

Even before anaemia develops:

Physical Symptoms

Fatigue and exhaustion
Breathlessness on exertion
Hair loss and thinning
Brittle nails
Restless legs
Cold hands and feet
Pale skin
Dizziness

Cognitive/Emotional

Brain fog
Poor concentration
Anxiety
Low mood
Irritability

Other

Frequent infections
Poor exercise recovery
Pica (craving ice, dirt)
Heavy periods (cause AND effect)

Check Your Ferritin Today

Who's at Risk of Low Ferritin?

Group	Risk Factor
Women with periods	Monthly blood loss
Pregnant women	Increased demand
Vegetarians/vegans	Lower iron intake
Athletes	Increased demand + losses
Regular blood donors	Depletes stores
Digestive conditions	Poor absorption
Heavy coffee/tea drinkers	Inhibits absorption

High Ferritin: What It Means

High ferritin isn't just "too much iron":

Possible Cause	Explanation
Inflammation	Ferritin rises as acute phase reactant
Infection	Same mechanism
Liver disease	Ferritin released from liver
Haemochromatosis	Genetic iron overload
Metabolic syndrome	Associated with high ferritin
Alcohol excess	Liver effect

High ferritin needs investigation, not just monitoring.

Our Ferritin Testing Options

Ferritin Only - £245

Ferritin
Doctor interpretation

Iron Studies Panel - £295

Ferritin
Serum iron
TIBC
Transferrin saturation
Full interpretation

Fatigue Investigation Panel - £395

Full iron studies
Full blood count
Vitamin B12, folate
Thyroid function
Vitamin D
Comprehensive review

Book Your Ferritin Test

Price: From £245
Results: 2-3 days
Doctor review: A doctor always reviews every result
Fasting: Not required (but morning preferred)

Book via WhatsApp | Phone: 020 3951 3429

FAQ

What ferritin level do I need for hair growth?
Research suggests at least 70 μg/L for optimal hair growth, with some dermatologists recommending 100+.

Why is my ferritin low if I eat red meat?
Absorption issues (coeliac, gastric), heavy periods, or other losses can outpace intake. Testing identifies the problem.

Can ferritin be too high?
Yes—consistently elevated ferritin needs investigation for haemochromatosis, inflammation, or liver issues.

How long to improve low ferritin?
With supplements: typically 3-6 months to see significant improvement. Retesting at 3 months is recommended.

Blood Test London by The Wellness. Ferritin testing from £245. A doctor always reviews every result.