Assay

Ferritin

Key Words

FER

Specimen Collection

Serum (brown) Plasma (orange)

Turnaround Time

24hrs

Test Indications

The assaying of ferritin allows representative estimation of current iron metabolism status. Storage deficiency in the reticulo-endothelial system (RES) is able to be detected at a very early stage (20 ug/L). Latent iron deficiency is defined as a fall below the 12 ug/L ferritin threshold. These two values necessitate no further laboratory elucidation, even when the blood picture is still morphologically normal. If the depressed ferritin level is accompanied by hypochromic microcytic anaemia, then manifest iron deficiency is present. Ferritin of <30ug/L is indicative of iron deficiency.
When the ferritin level is elevated (>400 ug/L) and the possibility of a distribution disorder can be ruled out, then it is a likely manifestation of iron overloading in the body (haemosiderosis or haemochromatosis). Elevated ferritin values are also encountered with the following tumours: acute leukaemia, Hodgkins disease and carcinoma of the lung, colon, liver and prostate. The determination of ferritin has proved to be of value in liver metastasis. Studies indicate that 76% of all patients with liver metastasis have ferritin values above 400 ug/L (ng/mL). Reasons for the elevated values could be cell necrosis, blocked erythropoiesis or increased synthesis in tumour tissue 

Interferences

No known common methodological interferences. Ferritin is an acute phase protein, thus elevated concentrations may be the result of an acute phase response.

Reference Range

Males: 30-400 ug/L

Females: 13-150 ug/L

Analytical Error

3.8%

Reference Change Value

40.8%

Minimum retesting interval

Requests made within 28 days of a previous result on a patient are intervened