What Causes Low Ferritin Levels in the Blood?

The ferritin blood test is used to determine the cause of anemia symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, weakness, pale skin and chronic fatigue, states Lab Tests Online. It is also used to check for iron overload in people suffering abdominal pain, fatigue, joint pain, weight loss or loss of body hair.

Iron plays an important role in oxygen transport, according to Washington University in St. Louis. Without iron, blood would not able to carry oxygen because there would be no way to bind molecular oxygen in the lungs and carry it to other parts of the body. Iron is also necessary for producing neurotransmitters, proteins and connective tissues.