| Laboratory: | Clinical Biochemistry | |||||||||
| Test Name: |
FERRITIN - (P)
Test Code:
FER
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| Clinical Information: |
Test Indications: This test is used for determination of the body’s iron reserves.
Ferritin is an iron-storage protein found mainly in liver, spleen, muscle and bone marrow, with only a small fraction found in the circulation. It stores iron in its bioavailable form and also protects the cells from the toxic effects of iron that can damage DNA and protein. Measurement of the ferritin level assists in the diagnosis of iron deficiency and overload conditions. It can also help differentiate between iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic diseases. Ferritin is an acute phase reactant. Elevated serum ferritin levels can occur in patients with infections, acute or chronic inflammation and malignant tumors, despite acute iron deficiency. Elevated ferritin levels unrelated to iron stores are also seen in cases of alcoholic or viral hepatitis, and chronic renal failure. Patient Preparation Instructions: Multivitamins (45–125 µg biotin) or biotin-only supplements up to 1 mg per day do not interfere with this test. Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. >5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours after the last dose. |
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| Collection Devices: |
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| Specimen Required: |
Plasma: 2.0 mL
Pediatric Plasma: 0.5 mL
Stability 7 days refrigerated, 12 months frozen |
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| Referral: |
Serum: 2.0 mL
Samples must be transferred to an aliquot tube and stored frozen if analysis will not be complete within 48 hours (#110-10-05 Serum / Plasma Separation Procedure & Transport)
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| Requisition: | ||||||||||
| Reference Values: |
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| Availability: |
Daily
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