Ferritin Test

Can ferritin be falsely high?

Yes, ferritin rises during inflammation, infection, and certain liver conditions, independent of your actual iron status, which is why your doctor considers the full clinical picture rather than ferritin alone.

Is ferritin more accurate than a standard iron test?

For assessing your body's overall iron stores, yes — ferritin is generally considered a more reliable marker than serum iron alone, particularly for detecting early iron deficiency.

What ferritin level indicates iron deficiency?

This varies by lab and clinical context, but very low ferritin levels (often below 15–30 ng/mL depending on the reference used) are considered strongly suggestive of iron deficiency.