Do pregnant women need to fast before checking ferritin levels?

Generally, pregnant women do not need to fast when undergoing serum ferritin testing and may be examined after normal meals. Fasting is required only if additional tests such as blood glucose, lipid profile, or other fasting-dependent examinations are also needed. Detailed explanations are as follows:

Serum ferritin is the main iron-storage protein in the body, and its measurement is primarily used to assess the presence of iron deficiency anemia. Diet has minimal impact on test results. Testing after a regular meal helps prevent discomforts such as hunger, dizziness, or fatigue caused by fasting, thus facilitating a smoother examination process—particularly beneficial for pregnant women who may be more sensitive during pregnancy.

If a pregnant woman needs to undergo additional tests such as blood glucose, lipid profile, or liver function tests that require fasting, then she must remain in a fasting state. Typically, no food should be consumed for 8–12 hours prior to the test, though small amounts of plain water are permitted. This prevents nutritional components in food from interfering with the accuracy of other test results.

Before testing, pregnant women are advised to confirm their complete list of required examinations in advance to avoid confusion. Meals should be light and easily digestible; overeating or consuming excessively greasy foods should be avoided, and a regular sleep schedule should be maintained.