About the test
Ferritin is the main iron storage complex in the human body.
It is found in the hepatocytes, the bone marrow, the spleen and the muscles. A part of it is circulating in the blood. Ferritin is an indirect marker of the amount of iron stored in the organism.
Sample
Venous blood
Preparation
12 hours fasting prior to sampling. Water is allowed.
Procedure
Venipuncture
Increased values
- Haemochromatosis
- Liver diseases
- Inflammatory conditions
- Alcoholism
- Drugs (Iron supplements, ascorbic acid, contraceptives)
Decreased values
- Anemia
- Gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Colon cancer
- Pregnancy
- Malnutrition
Additional information
Ιn case of anemia, the value of ferritin decreases before the onset of symptoms.
Differential diagnosis of various types of anemia is achieved through measurement of ferritin, of serum iron as well as the total iron binding capacity (TIBC) level.