Ferritin

What the laboratory says this test is for

About 10-30% of patients continue with lingering symptoms four or more weeks after COVID-19 infection, including those who had mild, or no symptoms termed as post-COVID conditions. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provided Interim Guidance for Assessment and Testing for Evaluating and Caring for Patients with Post-COVID Conditions. The CDC recommends laboratory testing be guided by the patient history, physical examination, and clinical findings. A basic panel of laboratory tests might be considered for patients with ongoing symptoms to assess for conditions that may respond to treatment, until more information and evidence is available for specific laboratory testing for post-COVID conditions. This panel is to be considered for basic testing if no previous testing was performed.

What the laboratory says this test is for

This serum iron study panel may help diagnose iron deficiency or overload. Because ferritin level can be affected by clinical conditions other than iron disorders, the measurement of transferrin saturation-calculated from serum iron level and total iron binding capacity (TIBC)-in the same serum specimen may facilitate the diagnosis of iron deficiency or overload [1-3].Serum ferritin level generally reflects body iron storage and can be used in the diagnosis of iron deficiency and overload. Transferrin saturation is the percentage of iron bound to transferrin. In patients with anemia, ferritin levels are most frequently used to determine whether iron deficiency is the cause [1]. However, as an acute phase protein, ferritin levels can be increased independently of iron status in inflammatory conditions, kidney disease, liver disease, and malignancy. In these clinical scenarios, the combination of ferritin level with other tests, such as transferrin saturation, may aid in the evaluation of iron deficiency [1,3].In patients with suspected hemochromatosis, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin may be included in the initial evaluation of iron overload [2]. The combination of a transferrin saturation under 45% and a normal serum ferritin level may help exclude iron overload. A transferrin saturation equal or over 45% alone or with an elevated ferritin level may suggest further testing. Serum ferritin level is also a predictor of advanced fibrosis [2].Note that reference intervals of serum iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation, and ferritin depend upon age and sex.The results of this test should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical and family history and physical examination findings.References1. Ko CW, et al. Gastroenterology. 2020;159(3):1085-1094.2. Kowdley KV, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2019;114(8):1202-1218.3. Lopez A, et al. Lancet. 2016;387(10021):907-916.

What the laboratory says this test is for

Useful in the diagnosis of hypochromic, microcytic anemias. Decreased in iron deficiency anemia and increased in iron overload.