FERRITIN

CLINICAL UTILITY:

Ferritin is the major iron storage protein in man and is located primarily in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. It is present to a lesser extent in most tissues.Assay of ferritin correlates closely with total-body iron stores. The finding of a low ferritin level is diagnostic of iron deficiency. Measurement of serum ferritin is also useful in detecting and determining the degree of iron overload, although it may underestimate iron stores in some patients with early hemochromatosis. The serum ferritin level depends not only on tissue iron stores but also on the rate of release of ferritin from the tissues. Therefore, in cases of extensive tissue damage, as may occur in patients with inflammation, liver disease, and certain malignancies, the ferritin level is usually elevated in the absence of iron overload and may be normal in the presence of coexisting iron deficiency.

METHOD DESCRIPTION:

The Ferritin assay is a two-site immunoenzymatic (“sandwich”) assay.

REFERENCE RANGE:

Male: 25 - 160 ng/ml (same as 25 - 160 ug/L).
Female: 15 - 160 ng/ml (same as 15 - 160 ug/L).

SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS:

2.0 ml (0.8 ml min) serum (serum from a SST tube is also acceptable). Plasma separator tubes may be used, but must be checked for clots or fibrin and respun if present. Plasma from a sodium heparin tube may be used. EDTA, citrate or oxalate is unacceptable.