Ferritin

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron, a nutrient necessary for the production of healthy red blood cells and the distribution of oxygen throughout the body.

When the body needs iron, a small amount of ferritin is released from cells and circulates in the blood. Your ferritin level reflects the total amount of iron stored in your body.

Having too little or too much iron in the body can be a sign of a serious health condition. Doctors will order a ferritin test with other iron tests if you have signs of anemia, iron overload, or after a complete blood count (CBC) test indicates low hemoglobin or hematocrit levels.