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Ferritin Quantitative Test Assay Kit CLIA Kit
Ferritin is a macromolecule with a molecular weight of at least 440
kD (depending on the
iron content) and consists of a protein shell (apoferritin) of 24
subunits and an iron core
containing an average of approx. 2500 Fe3+ ions (in liver and
spleen ferritin).1 In humans, it
acts as a buffer against iron deficiency and iron overload.2
If the ferritin level is low, there is a risk for lack of iron,
which could lead to anemia or iron
deficiency without anemia. In the setting of anemia, low serum
ferritin is the most specific
lab finding for iron-deficiency anemia.3 Low ferritin may also
indicate hypothyroidism,
vitamin C deficiency or celiac disease. Low serum ferritin levels
are seen in some patients
with restless legs syndrome, not necessarily related to anemia, but
perhaps due to low iron
stores short of anemia.4,5
A normal ferritin blood level, referred to as the reference
interval is determined by many
testing laboratories. The ranges for ferritin can vary between
laboratories but typical ranges
would be between 30–300 ng/mL (=μg/L) for males, and 30–160 ng/mL
(=μg/L) for females.
A value less than 50 is considered as iron deficiency.
Serum ferritin levels are measured in medical laboratories as part
of the iron studies workup
for iron-deficiency anemia.6 The ferritin levels measured usually
have a direct correlation
with the total amount of iron stored in the body.