Test Description

Liver dysfunction and other factors can cause a reduction in the clearance of serum ferritin resulting in an increase in serum ferritin levels. Ferritin is an acute phase reactant that may be elevated in a wide-range of inflammatory conditions and infections. Ferritin is also useful when a routine CBC shows that a person’s hemoglobin and hematocrit are low and their red blood cells are smaller and paler thatn normal (microcytic and hypochromic), suggesting iron deficiency anemia, even though other clinical symptoms may not have developed yet. In ther early stage of iron deficiency, no physical effects are usually seen. If a person is otherwise healthy, symptoms seldom appear before the hemoglobin in the blood, drops below 10g/dL.

When should this test be ordered?
Ferritin may be ordered along with other iron tests to assess iron deficiency or when a routine CBC results show low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels thus indicating that the red blood cells are smaller and paler than normal.
High Risk · Outside Reference Range
Lower than reference range:
Likely iron deficiency. Consider increasing patient's iron intake.

Greater than reference range:
Suggestive of Hemochromatosis or Chronic illness or Hemolytic Anemia or Sideroblastic Anemia. Treat underlying cause.
Borderline Risk · None
Not applicable for this test
Low Risk · Within Reference Range
Reference Range:

Male::
(0-31) days : 6-400 (ng/mL)
(32-209) days : 6-410 (ng/mL)
(210-364) days : 6-80 (ng/mL)
(365-2189) days : 6-80 (ng/mL)
(2190-6569) days : 6-320 (ng/mL)
(>= 6750) days : 30-400 (ng/mL)

Female::
(0-31) days : 6-515 (ng/mL)
(32-209) days : 6-340 (ng/mL)
(210-364) days : 6-45 (ng/mL)
(365-2189) days : 6-80 (ng/mL)
(2190-6569) days : 6-70 (ng/mL)
(>= 6750) days : 13-150 (ng/mL)
Testing Method Used
Electrochemilluminescence Immunoassay.

Sample is stable for 7 days at 2-8°C.

Please ship samples daily.
Improvements and Prevention
If you have an iron deficiency, eating foods high in iron or taking iron supplements can balance out your ferritin levels, however if you’re taking more iron than your body requires, it will be stored in the form of ferritin.
Specimen Type
Serum
Fasting Required
No, but may be done with other tests that requires fasting.
Drawing and Processing

tube1

  1. Draw from a vein into a SST tube
  2. Invert tube (do not shake) 1-2 times to mix adequately
  3. Let stand upright in tube rack for 30 minutes
  4. Centrifuge for 15 minutes at 3300rpm
  5. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 1 hour
  6. Keep cold in a refrigerator to maintain stability, until ready to ship
Shipping Instructions
  1. Freeze ice packs 24 hours prior to use
  2. Place ice packs inside the Styrofoam insulated kit
  3. Place processed tubes inside biohazard bag, place inside kit
  4. Seal box, print airbill and adhere to box and wait for courier to pick up
Rejection Criteria
QNS; temperature out of range upon receipt; grossly hemolyzed or lipemic; wrong specimen type; sample stability exceeded for this analyte; unlabeled or mislabeled specimen
References
1. Brittenham GM. Disorders of iron homeostasis: iron deficiency and overload. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Silberstein LE, et al., eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 34.
2. Elghetany MT, Banki K. Erythrocytic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 32.

The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used or substituted as medical advice. You should consult a healthcare practitioner regarding medical diagnosis or treatment.