Are you feeling a little short of breath lately? Or are you feeling more lethargic than usual? If your answer is yes to both of these questions, you might be experiencing a low amount of iron in your body.
Iron is the most abundant non-metal in the human body, yet it is the most important. Iron is a constituent of several proteins, including hemoglobin, which helps transport oxygen. It is a part of myoglobin, which gives muscles their color. In addition, it is a part of enzymes and hormones like dopamine (the "feel-good" hormone) and is even involved in photosynthesis.
If a person has too little iron in the blood, they may develop iron deficiency anemia, which can adversely affect the body's ability to convert food into energy. That's where a ferritin test can come into the picture to determine the iron level in the body.
A ferritin test is usually conducted on individuals who show signs of iron deficiency, like fatigue, sluggishness, and a pale complexion. Fluctuations in iron levels occur more in women than in men due to the monthly shedding of blood. Hence, as a woman, you should check your ferritin levels every 3 to 6 months or as your healthcare professional suggests. This is a relatively common test as more than 50% of the world's population remains unaware of iron deficiencies in their bodies.
