Serum ferritin

Definition

Serum ferritin is a blood protein that contains iron and is a key indicator of the body’s iron stores. It plays an essential role in understanding nutritional status and iron metabolism, as it reflects the amount of stored iron available for physiological functions such as red blood cell production and oxygen transport.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Serum ferritin levels can vary based on factors such as age, gender, and inflammation, making it essential to consider these when interpreting results.
2. Normal serum ferritin levels typically range from 30 to 300 ng/mL for men and 15 to 150 ng/mL for women, but these can vary between different laboratories.
3. Low serum ferritin levels are one of the earliest indicators of iron deficiency, often occurring before other markers like hemoglobin drop.
4. High serum ferritin levels may indicate iron overload conditions or chronic inflammation, as ferritin is also an acute phase reactant.
5. Measuring serum ferritin is crucial for assessing overall nutritional status and diagnosing conditions related to iron metabolism.

Review Questions

• How does serum ferritin reflect the body’s iron status and what factors can influence its levels?
  • Serum ferritin serves as a critical marker of the body’s iron stores, with its levels indicating whether there is adequate or deficient iron available. Factors such as inflammation, age, gender, and underlying health conditions can influence serum ferritin levels, making it vital to consider these elements when interpreting lab results. For instance, inflammatory states can elevate ferritin levels even when true iron stores are low.
• Discuss the clinical significance of measuring serum ferritin in relation to diagnosing nutritional deficiencies.
  • Measuring serum ferritin is clinically significant because it provides insight into a person's iron status, helping to diagnose nutritional deficiencies like iron deficiency anemia. Low ferritin levels can signal insufficient iron stores, often appearing before changes in hemoglobin levels occur. This early detection allows for timely interventions to prevent anemia and associated complications, highlighting the importance of regular screening in at-risk populations.
• Evaluate the implications of abnormal serum ferritin levels on overall health and how they guide clinical decision-making.
  • Abnormal serum ferritin levels can have significant implications for overall health, as low levels indicate potential iron deficiency which could lead to anemia and fatigue. Conversely, high levels may suggest excess iron stores or chronic inflammation that could lead to conditions such as hemochromatosis. Clinicians use these results to guide further investigations or treatment plans, emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessment and management strategies tailored to the individual’s specific health context.

Related terms

Iron Deficiency Anemia: A condition characterized by a lack of adequate iron, leading to reduced hemoglobin production and resulting in fatigue and weakness.

Transferrin: A glycoprotein that binds and transports iron in the blood, playing a critical role in iron metabolism and homeostasis.

Hemosiderin: An intracellular, insoluble storage form of iron that accumulates when there is an excess of iron in the body, often found in tissues.