What is a ferritin test?

Ferritin test is a blood test that measures the concentration of protein called ferritin in the blood. This support protein usually stores iron. The test is often performed as part of the investigation why the patient has anemia or a low number of red blood cells, as iron deficiency causes anemia and is associated with low ferritin levels. Just as low levels signals the presence of the underlying disease, high levels can also be associated with different pathological processes. Diseases such as hemochromatosis, leukemia, lymphoma, acute bacterial infections and chronic inflammatory conditions are associated with high ferritin levels. Measurement of ferritin concentration in the blood is a reflection of total iron trade of the body. High levels indicate that the body has excess iron, while low levels indicate iron deficiency. Normal levels for ferritin test tests range from approval of Mililitr (ng/ml) for men and 20-200 ng/ml for women.

Iron deficiency is the most importantMany reason for low levels in ferritin test. In this case, Ferritin is low because the body does not have much iron. Iron deficiency patients often have anemia because iron is an important part of these blood cells. They may have symptoms such as fatigue, fast heart rate, shortness of breath and pica, which is the desire for dirt or other nutritious substances.

Since low ferritin levels correlate with low iron supplies, high ferritin levels are associated with high iron supplies. Hemochromatosis is a disease that causes drastic increase in ferritin. Patients with this genetic disease are unable to remove iron from their bodies and increasingly iron throughout their lifelong creation. When they reach a middle age, this excess iron can cause diabetes, problems with liver function and brown skin color. Patients who receive many blood transfusionsAbove the courses of their lives, such as patients with a condition called thalassemia, can also have excess iron shops.

Sometimes patients with certain cancers will have a high level in ferritin test. Malignites such as leukemia and lymphoma may be associated with high levels of this support protein. In this case, ferritin levels are high because abnormal cancer cells can produce this protein.

Many times elevated levels in ferritin test can indicate the presence of inflammation in the body. Protein is considered a reactant of the acute phase, which means that its levels rise as the body fights with a stressor. Some scientists suggest that ferritin levels grow when patients seek to fight bacteria to prevent their bodies from being used for their own use. Chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis are also associated with altitude in ferritin levels.