of deposition of iron inside the cells. Therefore, its concentration in the blood reflects the extent of the reserves of the mineral in the organism.
In clinical practice, the measurement of plasma ferritin (ferritinemia) is useful for evaluating the amount of iron available to the whole body.
An abnormal level of ferritin in the blood can be an indicator of an underlying pathology or a particular condition, such as in the case of deficiencies responsible for anemia.
This test is very important, since the ferritin concentration in the blood reflects the extent of the body's iron reserves. The primary function of ferritin is, in fact, to build a deposit of the mineral in the body.
Unlike that linked to a second iron-protein organic compound, called hemosiderin, the iron associated with ferritin is rapidly mobilized. This means that, in case of need for the mineral, the body can easily draw on it.
For all these reasons, ferritin values below the norm indicate, with some certainty, a state of iron deficiency; moreover, they can constitute the differential diagnosis between iron deficiency anemia (or iron deficiency) and anemia due to other causes.Decrease: Ferritin levels tend to drop during pregnancy, especially from the third month on. A decrease in values is also found in people who practice "intense and regular physical activity." (specific drugs per os or intravenously - intramuscular); Accumulation of iron: hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis; Chronic infections; Leukemia; Malignant neoplasms (liver, lung, pancreas, breast and kidney); Transfusions; Hemopathies (acute leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma); Acute or chronic hepatitis; Alcoholism. ; Nutritional deficiencies and reduced absorption (malnutrition, vegetarian diet, strict diet, celiac disease, diarrhea, gastro-intestinal disorders); Hemorrhages (trauma, heavy menstrual flow, chronically bleeding hemorrhoids, gastroduodenal ulcers, nosebleeds, occult discharge, etc.); Pregnancy (during this period iron deposits are reduced to meet the needs of the fetus); Rheumatoid arthritis. , usually taken in the crease of the elbow. A low level of ferritin in the blood is considered the earliest indicator of a depletion of mineral deposits. This should be considered above all in the differential diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (in which the ferritin value is low) from those of different etiology .
More precisely, a low ferritin (22 ng / ml), associated with altered values of hemoglobin and hematocrit, and in the presence of small and less pigmented red blood cells than normal (microcytic and hypochromic), indicates a "iron deficiency anemia (ie caused from iron deficiency).
Another common cause of hypoferritinemia is an increase in losses or needs (hypermenorrhea, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract and pregnancy). Less often, low ferritin levels signal a reduced nutritional intake or severe depletion of plasma proteins, as in malnutrition.
If iron deficiency is important, iron supplements can be used.
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In clinical practice, the measurement of plasma ferritin (ferritinemia) is useful for evaluating the amount of iron available to the whole body.
An abnormal level of ferritin in the blood can be an indicator of an underlying pathology or a particular condition, such as in the case of deficiencies responsible for anemia.
This test is very important, since the ferritin concentration in the blood reflects the extent of the body's iron reserves. The primary function of ferritin is, in fact, to build a deposit of the mineral in the body.
Unlike that linked to a second iron-protein organic compound, called hemosiderin, the iron associated with ferritin is rapidly mobilized. This means that, in case of need for the mineral, the body can easily draw on it.
For all these reasons, ferritin values below the norm indicate, with some certainty, a state of iron deficiency; moreover, they can constitute the differential diagnosis between iron deficiency anemia (or iron deficiency) and anemia due to other causes.
and total iron-binding capacity (serum transferrin), in case of:
- Suspected excess of iron due to: hereditary diseases (such as hemochromatosis), dietary overload, excessive accumulation (hemosiderosis) etc .;
- Low hematocrit and hemoglobin values: the level of ferritin in the blood makes it possible to diagnose an iron deficiency early, which could cause anemia.
In the laboratory, the assay is then performed, i.e. the measurement of the concentration of the protein in the blood sample collected from the patient.
acute and chronic, liver changes, infections, alcoholism and neoplasms. Under these conditions, the production of ferritin increases in the tissues (consequently also in the blood) regardless of the extent of the iron deposits.More precisely, a low ferritin (22 ng / ml), associated with altered values of hemoglobin and hematocrit, and in the presence of small and less pigmented red blood cells than normal (microcytic and hypochromic), indicates a "iron deficiency anemia (ie caused from iron deficiency).
Another common cause of hypoferritinemia is an increase in losses or needs (hypermenorrhea, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract and pregnancy). Less often, low ferritin levels signal a reduced nutritional intake or severe depletion of plasma proteins, as in malnutrition.
A more in-depth study of iron metabolism also requires examination of iron and transferrin or total iron binding capacity (TIBC).
Attention! Depending on the type of technique used by the laboratory, the ferritin values may be slightly different. Therefore, it is preferable to consult the reference ranges indicated for each analysis directly on the report.
: meat, legumes, fish, molluscs, crustaceans, dried and fresh fruit [especially citrus fruits, not so much for their content, however modest, of iron, as to ensure the right supply of ascorbic acid to the body (a vitamin, C , important for the absorption of the mineral)].If iron deficiency is important, iron supplements can be used.
