Iron Studies
 
 

Ferritin

 
 
 
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Overview

  • Ferritin is an intracellular iron storage protein whose levels are indicative of the body's total iron stores.

      • Normal Range

      • 15 - 300μg/L

Hyperferritinaemia

  • Elevated serum ferritin is classically a marker of iron overload.
  • Ferritin is also an acute phase reactant and can be non-specifically elevated with alcohol intake, liver disease or chronic inflammation.

    • Causes of Hyperferritinaemia

    • Acute phase response (infection / inflammation / malignancy)
    • Liver disease
    • Iron overload

Hypoferritinaemia

  • A reduced ferritin level is the most specific indicator of iron deficiency, as there are no other major causes of hypoferritinaemia.
  • Note that inflammation or liver disease can falsely elevate serum ferritin, masking a concomitant iron deficiency.
 
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