Ferritin

Predominantly intracellularly localized protein that serves as a storage material for iron in human (and animal) organisms. Only a small proportion of ferritin occurs in serum. The iron load of extracellular ferritin corresponds relatively to that of intracellular ferritin. Thus the ferritin concentration in serum is a meaningful measure of the total iron storage of the organism. The functions of ferritin are oxidation of iron (II), transport of iron (III) into the interior of the molecule, build-up of the iron mineral inside and mobilisation of this iron.

Approximately 1 ml of serum is required for testing.

Normal values:

• 2nd - 17th yr: 7 - 152 µg/l
• 18 - 45 years: women: 6 - 7 µg, men: 10 - 220 µg
• from the age of 46: women: 18 - 120 µg, men: 15 - 400 µg.

Pathologically decreased: Latent or manifest iron deficiency(ferritin < 15 mg/l).

Pathologically elevated: (with elevated or normal serum iron): Hemochromatosis, tumor anemia, infectious anemia, plasmocytoma, malignant lymphoma, acute inflammation, hereditary and secondary hemochromatosis, alcoholism.