General info from the website Lab Tests Online, states to fast if ordered to by a physician
LabTestsOnline.org https://labtestsonline.org/tests/ferritin
Theresa N. Mosby's "Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference" doesn’t call for fasting, nor does it mention that fasting will alter or increase ferritin results:
- Ferritin, the major iron storage protein, is normally present in the serum in concentrations directly related to iron storage.
- In normal patients, 1 ng/ mL of serum ferritin corresponds to approximately 8 mg of stored iron.
- Increased levels Hemochromatosis Hemosiderosis Megaloblastic anemia Hemolytic anemia Alcoholic or inflammatory hepatocellular disease Inflammatory disease Advanced cancers Chronic illnesses (e.g., leukemias, cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis) Collagen vascular diseases Hemophagocytic syndromes Congenital and acquired sideroblastic anemias
- Decreased levels Severe protein deficiency Iron-deficiency anemia Hemodialysis
Pagana, Kathleen Deska; Pagana, Timothy J.; Pagana, Theresa N. Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference - E-Book (Kindle Locations 9843-9853). Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.
Interestingly, elevated fasting ferritin is associated with an increased risk of diabetes (T2), impaired glucose regulation, and insulin resistance.
Researchers conclude:
“Results suggest that there may be a threshold of serum ferritin of 52 μg/l above which elevated serum ferritin levels are associated with surrogate measures of insulin resistance.”