Ferritin

What does this test measure?

Ferritin, the major iron-storage compound in the body, present at high concentrations in liver, bone marrow and spleen and in equilibrium with body iron stores.

Why is it ordered?

Serum ferritin falls very early in iron deficiency and is a sensitive indicator of it; it rises in chronic infection, inflammatory disorders, malignancies and iron overload (haemosiderosis, haemochromatosis).

Normal range

Men: 20–250 μg/L · Women: 20–200 μg/L

Per the original BioSystems insert

Sample type

Serum