Ferritin blood test in Sheffield
Get an Ferritin blood test delivered straight to your door in Sheffield. Track what’s going on inside your body and improve your health.
Did you know?
Cecil George Paine, a pathologist in Sheffield, was responsible for the first ever successful medical use of penicillin. He used it to cure eye infections in newborn babies.
What is ferritin?
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron.
What is its function?
Ferritin stores iron and releases it when your body needs it. So your ferritin levels are a useful indicator of your body's iron status.
Low levels can indicate that you have iron deficiency anaemia. High levels can indicate that you're storing too much iron.
What can cause it to change?
Low ferritin Your ferritin levels can drop if:
- your diet is low in iron — vegan and vegetarian are sometimes low in iron
- you suffer from a gastrointestinal disorder — like coeliac disease or Crohn’s disease
In females, heavy periods or blood loss during childbirth can cause low levels.
High ferritin Certain conditions can cause your ferritin levels to increase, including:
- haemochromatosis (iron overload) — a condition that causes a build-up of iron
- hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- liver disease
- type 2 diabetes
What are the most common symptoms?
Low ferritin Symptoms of low ferritin levels might include:
- extreme tiredness
- dizziness
- headaches
- unexplained weakness
- ringing in your ears
- irritability
- leg pains
- shortness of breath
High ferritin Symptoms of high ferritin levels might include:
- tiredness
- stomach pain
- heart palpitations or chest pains
- unexplained weakness
- joint pain
What can I do to change my levels?
Low ferritin levels
If your diet is low in iron, try to include more iron-rich foods like:
- red meat
- dark green, leafy vegetables
- nuts
- raisins and dried fruit
- iron-fortified cereals
Combining plant-based sources of iron with vitamin C can help increase how much you absorb. Most fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamin C. Also, try to avoid too much tea, coffee, and milk as this can stop iron absorption.
If you're not able to get enough from your diet, an iron supplement might help. It's a good idea to get advice from a health professional before taking a supplement.
High ferritin levels If your levels are very high it's important to see your doctor — excess iron can lead to organ damage.
Lowering your ferritin levels will depend on what's causing them to increase. If you have haemochromatosis, phlebotomy (removal of blood) is the most common treatment. If you're taking an iron supplement, make sure you're not taking too much.
What is Thriva?
We’re a subscription-based health tracking company. With our blood testing kits you can take control of your health and see exactly what’s happening inside your body. Learn what lifestyle really works for you and improve everything from your sleep and energy levels to your heart health.
Order online and choose how often you’d like a test. We’ll post your kit and it’ll be in your hands the very next day.
Your kit contains everything you need for your simple finger-prick blood test. When you’re done, use the freepost envelope to send it back.
Your full results, along with a personalised report from a qualified GP, will be available to access online.
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