What is Ferritin?
Ferritin is one of the essential proteins which controls the absorption and release of iron in the body. Ferritin Test checks for the levels of the ferritin in blood and assesses the body’s capacity to store iron. A low ferritin level, indicates iron deficiency, while an excess build up of ferritin might lead to hemochromatosis that can cause organ damage. Increased ferritin levels can also be observed in patients suffering from chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, liver diseases, kidney failure etc.
Elevated ferritin levels during COVID-19 infection indicate the risk of complications in acute cases. Therefore, it is highly recommended to undergo this test during COVID infection as well as recovery phase.
Why is Ferritin done?
The Ferritin Test is performed:
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To confirm iron deficiency anemia detected in routine check-ups
- To determine iron deficiency or iron overload in the body
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To determine the capacity of the body to store iron
What does Ferritin Measure?
A low ferritin level, indicates iron deficiency, while an excess build up of ferritin can be suggestive of a condition called hemochromatosis that can cause organ and tissue damage. Higher than the normal levels can also indicate other serious medical conditions such as liver disease and cancer.
Iron is an essential micronutrient that is required by the body in trace amounts. It plays an essential role in the formation and functioning of red blood cells or RBCs. RBCs transport oxygen from the lungs to other body tissues.
Ferritin is stored in the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and skeletal muscles. When iron levels in the blood drop, it is recovered from these stored iron reserves.
Iron deficiency may occur due to insufficient dietary consumption of iron, excessive loss of blood from injuries, bleeding during periods, during pregnancy, etc. Iron deficiency could also be because of diseases like Celiac disease which prevent absorption of nutrients from food.
Increased ferritin levels in the blood may occur due to excess iron consumption through diet or iron supplements, multiple blood transfusions within a short duration, liver damage, alcoholism, or due to conditions like hemochromatosis where the body absorbs excessive iron from food.
Ferritin Test is performed in combination with other iron measurement tests like Iron Test, Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) Test, and Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC) Test. The results are interpreted accordingly.
