Vitamins & Nutrients
Ferritin
Vitamins & Nutrients
Iron storage protein. Key marker for fatigue, hair loss and immune function.
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Ferritin measures the iron held in the body's stores rather than the iron circulating in the blood. Stores fall before haemoglobin does, so ferritin identifies iron deficiency at an earlier stage than a full blood count. Iron deficiency is common, particularly in women who menstruate, and can cause fatigue and reduced concentration before anaemia develops. Ferritin also rises with inflammation, so it is interpreted alongside CRP.
Because 'just tired' is not a diagnosis. If you've been dragging yourself through the day, losing hair, getting headaches, or feeling weirdly breathless climbing stairs — your ferritin could be quietly tanking. It's especially worth checking if you have heavy periods, train hard, eat plant-based, or are pregnant. And if you're already supplementing iron, testing tells you whether it's actually working.
What a high value can mean
High ferritin doesn't always mean too much iron. It can spike when your body is fighting inflammation, infection, or dealing with liver stress. That said, consistently high levels can point to haemochromatosis (iron overload) — a genetic condition that's more common than people think, especially in Scandinavia. If your levels are elevated, we'll help you figure out what's driving it.
What a low value can mean
Low ferritin means your iron reserves are running on empty. You might still be 'in range' on paper, but functional iron deficiency is real — and it feels like running a marathon on half a tank. Left unchecked, it progresses to full-blown anaemia. The good news? Once you know, it's very fixable.
Skip your iron supplements for 24 hours before the test. Try to go in the morning (before 10am) since iron levels shift throughout the day. If you're feeling unwell, wait until you've recovered — inflammation can skew the results. Don't forget your ID. Bring valid ID to your appointment. If you take a supplement containing biotin (often sold for hair and nails), pause it for two days before the test, as high doses can distort the result.
Order your test
Choose your test and pay online. Your lab referral is created straight away.
Give your sample
Visit any of our partner sampling locations. No appointment needed at most of them.
The lab analyses it
Your sample is analysed at an accredited Swedish laboratory.
Get your results
Your values appear in your account with reference ranges and an explanation of each marker.
It depends on your age, sex, and lifestyle. The lab range is broad (roughly 20–200 for women, 30–300 for men), but many practitioners consider levels below 50 as suboptimal — especially if you're active or have symptoms. We don't just check if you're 'in range' — we look at where you actually feel your best.
Yes, absolutely. Standard tests often measure serum iron or haemoglobin, which can look normal even when your stores (ferritin) are depleted. It's one of the most commonly missed deficiencies.
Serum iron is what's circulating in your blood right now. Ferritin is what's in the warehouse. You can have decent iron in your blood while your reserves are empty — which is why testing both gives the full picture.
With the right approach (diet, supplements, or both), most people see meaningful improvement in 2–3 months. We recommend retesting after 3 months to see how you're responding.