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| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Ferritin
Test CodeFERIT
Preferred Specimen
1.0 mL plasma (0.5 mL minimum)
Transport Container
PST (light green top). Red top and SST also acceptable
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 8 hours, Refrigerated: 7 days, Frozen: 6 months
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Grossly hemolyzed specimens are unacceptable.
Report Available
24 hours
Reference Range
8 - 388 ng/mL
Clinical Significance
Measurements of ferritin aid in the diagnosis of diseases affecting iron metabolism, such as hemochromatosis (iron overload) and iron deficiency anemia. Circulating ferritin levels accurately reflect iron stores in the body and are useful when either iron deficiency or iron overload is suspected. The protein originates in the reticuloendothelial cells of the liver and spleen and in the erythroblasts of bone marrow.
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common among menstruating and reproductively active females, children, older adults, and vegetarians. A low ferritin level is an early indicator of IDA; occurring before serum iron is decreased and morphological abnormalities appear in red blood cells. Normal ferritin levels cannot be used to exclude IDA if a hepatic, malignant or inflammatory condition exists in the patient (anemia of chronic disease, ACD). Patients with ACD may show normal or slightly increased ferritin levels due to an increase in ferritin, caused by the acute phase response associated with chronic inflammation, which overrides the decrease in ferritin associated with IDA.
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common among menstruating and reproductively active females, children, older adults, and vegetarians. A low ferritin level is an early indicator of IDA; occurring before serum iron is decreased and morphological abnormalities appear in red blood cells. Normal ferritin levels cannot be used to exclude IDA if a hepatic, malignant or inflammatory condition exists in the patient (anemia of chronic disease, ACD). Patients with ACD may show normal or slightly increased ferritin levels due to an increase in ferritin, caused by the acute phase response associated with chronic inflammation, which overrides the decrease in ferritin associated with IDA.
