The ferritin test is a blood test ordered by your physician to measure the level of ferritin in the blood to check the iron storage in the body. Ferritin is a protein that stores the primary form of iron and iron is very important for the production of red blood cells and healthier muscles.
The article below covers all the important topics related to ferritin blood test like ferritin test cost, symptoms, ferritin normal range, causes of low and high ferritin levels, preparation, and how to get tested for the ferritin blood test.
- Ferritin Test Cost
- What is ferritin?
- Why is a ferritin test done?
- Normal ferritin level
- How is the ferritin test done?
- Is there any preparation required before the test?
- Are there any risks in the test?
- What does the test result mean?
- Causes of high ferritin levels
- Causes of low ferritin levels
- Provider Locations
For our readers, who are very much interested in knowing the ferritin test cost beforehand, we would like to begin with that section.
How much does the ferritin test cost?
Ferritin test cost ranges between $29 and $50 in different labs and facilities across the U.S. No prior appointment is required. Compare the price, order your test online and visit the nearest lab during lab business hours. Complete the procedure and get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days. Doctor consultation is also available for further treatment or any kind of medical advice.
The following table shows the ferritin test cost at 2 of our partner laboratories (CLIA – Certified) network located across the U.S.
PersonaLabs
- Reports – 2 to 5 days
- The entire U.S. except for New York, New Jersey & Rhode Island
- Required to visit the lab
Starting from
$50
HealthLabs
- Reports – 1 to 3 days
- The entire U.S.
- Required to visit the lab
Starting from
$58
$29
Ferritin test cost with insurance
Most of the health insurance policies in the U.S. cover the cost of the ferritin blood test. However, the coverage offered by private health insurance companies and national health insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid varies widely. So we recommend you to check the coverage of your health insurance plan before getting tested.
Our ferritin testing providers do not accept any kind of health insurance plan. But, on request, they can provide you with an itemized receipt containing all the details like the name and code of the test, and CPT code which is necessary for insurance reimbursement purposes.
What is ferritin?
Ferritin is a blood protein that stores the primary form of iron and releases when the body needs it. Iron plays an important role in the body by helping in the production of red blood cells and making muscles healthy. Ferritin is stored in the cells until the body needs it to make many red blood cells. When the body signals the cells to release ferritin, the ferritin binds to another substance called transferrin. Transferrin is a protein that combines with ferritin to transport it to the place where new red blood cells are made.
Why is a ferritin test done?
The ferritin test is also known as the “serum ferritin test”. The serum ferritin test is done to measure the level of ferritin in the blood to check the iron storage in the body. Your physician will order a ferritin blood test if you experience the following symptoms caused due to low iron content and excess iron.
Iron deficiency symptoms
Symptoms and signs of iron deficiency are given below
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Pale skin
- Ringing in ears
- Pain in the legs
- Irritability
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms of the excess of iron
- Stomach ache
- Darkening of skin
- Pain in the joints and chest
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Unusual weight loss
Sometimes, a ferritin test is also ordered to monitor the overall condition of your health if you have any iron-related diseases.
Normal ferritin levels
The normal ferritin levels may vary slightly among labs. However, the standard ranges of normal ferritin levels are 20 to 500 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter) in men and 20 to 200 ng/ml in women.
How is the ferritin test done?
The ferritin test is a simple blood test. During this test, the phlebotomist will wrap a tight elastic band around the upper arm to make the vein visible and swell with blood. The area to be injected will be cleansed with an antiseptic and then, he/she will inject the needle into the vein to draw a blood sample. After removing the needle, he/she will ask you to put some pressure on the puncture site with a cotton ball to stop bleeding. The blood sample collected in a test tube is sent to the lab for analysis.
It takes less than 10 minutes to perform the serum ferritin test.
Is there any preparation required before the test?
There is no special preparation required for the ferritin blood test. There is no constraint on the diet but, when the blood sample is used for other additional tests, you may be asked to fast for 12 hours before the test. So, consult your physician regarding the diet.
Are there any risks in the test?
There is no possible risk or complication in doing the serum ferritin test. Sometimes, after the blood sample is drawn, you might feel dizziness, slight pain, bruise, or redness in the injected area for a very little period. Inform your physician immediately if you have abnormal bleeding in the injected area.
What does the ferritin test results mean?
If your test results show high ferritin levels, your physician may order other tests to get more insight into the level of iron storage in your body. These tests may are
- An iron test helps to measures the total amount of iron circulating in the body.
- A total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) test that measures the amount of transferrin in the body.
Your physician will also prescribe some medications, therapies, and/or other additional tests to treat the imbalance of ferritin levels.
If you have ferritin levels lower than normal, it indicates that you have an iron deficiency disease ultimately resulting in the reduction of red blood cells called anemia. Anemia is the most common blood disorder affecting more than 3 million Americans according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. So we recommend getting tested for ferritin levels at least once every two years.
What are the causes of high ferritin levels?
The following are some of the causes of elevated ferritin levels.
High ferritin levels causes
- Liver diseases
- Hemochromatosis (overload of iron)
- Chronic inflammatory disorder
- Hyperthyroidism
- Leukemia
- Multiple blood transfusions
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Still’s disease (auto-inflammatory disease)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Restless leg syndrome (irresistible urge to move the legs)
What are the causes of low ferritin levels?
- Excessive menstrual bleeding
- Internal bleeding
- Stomach conditions affecting intestinal absorption
Provider Locations
The Ferritin blood test can be done in any of the following locations across the U.S. by visiting the nearest lab. To know the ferritin test cost, refer to the first section of the article.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance cover my testing cost?
No, insurance will not be covered in the billing. However, they will provide you a receipt for insurance reimbursement purposes.
How should I book my appointment?
You can choose the most suitable provider from above and make an appointment by following the instructions mentioned by them.
Can I cancel my lab test order?
Yes, you can cancel your lab test order anytime before your testing. A refund will be initiated after deducting the cancellation fee. However, cancellation is at the discretion of the provider.
Do the providers offer result interpretations?
Yes, a few providers may provide doctor consultation who will take you through the results and provide clarification if needed.
How do I receive my report?
To ensure your privacy, the test report will be mailed to you by the provider.
Other topics you may be interested in:-
- What is Oral Chlamydia? Get Tested for Chlamydia STD at-home
- Cost of Cervical Cancer Screening Test in the U.S.
- Gonorrhea Symptoms in Men
- Is Bruising a Symptom of STD?
- STD Testing Cost in Austin, Texas
- Planned Parenthood STD Cost
- Cost of Quantiferon Gold TB Test in the U.S.
- C-reactive Protein, CRP Test Cost
- How much does the ESR Test Cost in the U.S?
- LDH Testing Cost in the U.S.
- At-Home Chlamydia Testing Cost in the U.S.
- Eye Chlamydia Symptoms
- Do STDs Spread Via Kissing?
- Lipid Profile Testing, Normal Levels & Diagnosis
- Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms, Stages, Diagnosis & Treatment
- Cost of the Amylase Test
- Oral STDs: Names, Symptoms, Treatment and Testing Cost
- How much does the Mononucleosis (mono) Test Cost in the U.S?
- Causes of Penile Rashes and Other STD Symptoms in Men
- What is D-Dimer Test? Know more on Normal Levels, Diagnosis & Treatment
