Ferritin

Category:

Ferritin

Description

Ferritin is a protein located inside the cells.  

It serves to store iron for later use by the body. While the body also stores iron in other forms such as hemosiderin (a complex of iron, proteins, and other materials), by measuring the concentration of ferritin in blood we can have an idea of the total iron reservoir of the body. Ferritin and hemosiderin are stored in the liver, the bone marrow, spleen, and skeletal muscles.

Healthy people’s bodies store iron mainly as ferritin (around 75% of it) and smaller amounts as hemosiderin.

When the bloods iron decreases, iron reserves are used to prevent iron deficiency.

Ferritin levels are low in patients with iron deficiency, so when the doctor suspects that you may have too little or too much iron in your system, ferritin test is ordered.

The test is done, usually with an iron test and the TIBC. Ferritin is the best test for iron deficiency and it is also a very good test for iron overload.

Its concentration is measured by means of analysis of a blood sample drawn from the vein in the arm.

Purpose of the test

This test is prescribed in order to check body's store of iron.

Iron deficiency is the most probable cause of anemia if a blood count indicates that your hemoglobin and hematocrit are low, and especially if your red cells are microcytic and hypochromic. Ferritin and other iron tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Ferritin is normally found mainly inside of cells, with only a small amount in the blood. When there is damage to organs like liver, spleen and bone narrow, that contain ferritin, ferritin levels can become elevated even though the total amount of iron in the body is normal.

Ferritin levels may not be useful to monitor disease in persons with liver disease, chronic infections, cancers, or autoimmune diseases.

Reference range values

Male      18 – 370 mcg/L

Female   9 – 120mcg/L

Abnormal findings
High levels of ferritin can be caused by:
• hemochromatosis, a genetic disease in which too much iron is absorbed
• hemosiderosis
• Inflammation
• liver disease
• some types of cancer
• multiple transfusions