Why it's done

If your doctor suspects you have too much or too little iron in your body, he or she might suggest a ferritin test. The test can diagnose or suggest:

• Iron deficiency anemia
• Hemachromatosis — a condition that causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat
• Liver disease
• Adult Still's disease

Your doctor might also suggest a ferritin test if you've been diagnosed with a disorder that results in too much iron in your body, such as hemochromatosis. Your doctor might use a ferritin test to monitor your condition and guide treatment.