A biochemical blood test involves the study of many different indicators. One of them is a screening for ferritin. This is one of the ways to diagnose various diseases, so it is often done for patients with suspected various pathologies. Some features are characterized by analysis for ferritin. What kind of examination is this, what results are considered the norm and why deviations appear - will be discussed later.
What it is?
One of the informative methods of blood biochemistry is the analysis for ferritin. What kind of examination is this? Ferritin is a protein-type compound, which is the main form of accumulation and storage of iron in the human body. During the examination, the sufficiency of this trace element is determined.
A blood test for iron and ferritin can identify a number of diseases. Especially often it is prescribed for suspected iron deficiency type of anemia. After all, ferritin is the storage of free iron. In this form, the mineral could be toxic to the body. Ferritin has a complex structure. This molecule is well soluble in water, consists of a hollow shell (apoferritin) and a crystalline type nucleus. The latter contains hydroxide and iron phosphate.
This molecule is a “warehouse", accumulating in itself a represented mineral. In this case, it not only becomes non-toxic, but also acquires a physiologically rapidly accessible form. The water-soluble iron molecule contains 20%. This is approximately 3 to 4 thousand iron atoms. The shell of the molecule consists of heavy and light subunits, of which there are only 24 pieces. They differ in synthesis features, molecular weight and a number of other characteristics.
Varieties of the composition of ferritin
The component composition of ferritin in different organs varies. So, for example, in the liver and spleen, the molecule includes predominantly light subunits, and severe forms predominate in the heart, placenta, fetal tissues, and cancer. The specificity of ferritin in different organs has not yet been fully studied. Scientists are more prone to the hypothesis that a similar feature is associated with the function of individual organs.
Therefore, the analysis of ferritin can tell about many features of the state of internal systems. What is this substance and where does it appear? Ferritin is produced in the liver, bone marrow, thyroid gland, spleen. It is also formed by the kidneys, small intestine and placenta. White blood cells are involved in this process. Presented protein ensures the proper functioning of certain tissues.
Ferritin is in a small concentration in blood serum. It enters the body in two ways: in the destruction of blood serum cells or tissue cells in which it is located.
Functions
Considering the basic principles of the analysis for ferritin, what kind of protein it is, you need to pay attention to its function. In medical and laboratory practice, it is perceived as a kind of indicator. Ferritin indicates the amount of iron in the blood. Therefore, the main function of this protein is the storage, accumulation of the presented mineral. The main starting point from which ferritin enters the bloodstream is the liver.
Another function of such molecules is the reaction to pathogenic pathogens in the acute phase. The response formed by ferritin, allows you to form a defense, stopping the rate of reproduction, immobilizing pathogens. It is worth noting that a full-fledged reaction of the body is formed in 5-7 days. A preliminary immune response is needed to protect the body before the formation of the main immune response.
In order to function normally, microorganisms require iron, which is involved in the processes of their release of enzymes. These are catalysts for chemical reactions. When pathogenic microbes enter the body in the blood serum, the iron content decreases. Pathogenic microorganisms do not get access to it in the right amount.
But at the same time, the ions of this substance can negatively affect the immune cells of your own body.
It is worth noting that the heavy subunits of the molecule are more involved in the pre-immune response. Its light components are more stable. The heavy ferritin subunits protect cells from damage. In the normal state, the light components of the molecule are contained in the blood in greater quantities. If the disease is in the acute phase, then heavy subunits will prevail. Therefore, a similar picture is observed with any inflammation (infectious and non-infectious in nature).
Diagnostics
Ferritin biochemical analysis can be done in almost any medical laboratory. For this, blood is taken from a vein. The therapist, hematologist, oncologist or hepatologist can write out the direction.
Before passing the analysis, you need to properly prepare. Many factors can influence the level of ferritin in the blood. Before the procedure, be sure to consult a doctor. He will give appropriate recommendations on preparing for the analysis for ferritin. The basic requirements are as follows:
- 12 hours before the blood donation, you must refuse to eat. The procedure is mandatory on an empty stomach.
- Half an hour before taking venous blood, physical and emotional stress should be excluded.
- To take the test for ferritin, a week before this, stop taking iron-containing drugs.
- 24 hours before the study, you need to quit smoking.
When interpreting the result, an experienced doctor must take into account that a variety of non-pathological causes can affect the level of this protein. If the analysis is not submitted correctly, the result cannot be considered reliable.
It is also worth noting that during menstruation it is not recommended to undergo a similar analysis. The result will be distorted. During menstruation, the level of hemoglobin in the blood drops, but the number of red blood cells in the blood increases. Because of this, the level of iron in serum increases significantly before and during the first days of menstruation. By its completion, he is bouncing back. It is best to be examined one week after the cessation of menstruation.
Diagnostic Features
After passing the test for ferritin, which means the result obtained, the doctor must determine. You can make mistakes yourself in the interpretation. First of all, the presented study provides detailed information about metabolic processes associated with iron. In the course of decoding the results of a blood test for ferritin, which means the obtained indicators, a doctor of appropriate qualification should determine. This technique allows you to do the following:
- Estimate iron stores. The level of this substance changes significantly with the development of various pathologies, for example, kidneys, with bleeding and hemodialysis, etc.
- Differentiate anemia. With a decrease in hemoglobin, you can determine whether this condition is associated with a lack of iron in the body. Sometimes the cause of anemia is a chronic disease.
- Identify latent iron deficiency. In this case, even before the appearance of specific symptoms, it is possible to detect deviations. This helps prevent a decrease in hemoglobin levels in the future.
- To monitor the effectiveness of therapy when using iron-based drugs. The analysis is carried out on 3-5 days of taking special medications. The rate of ferritin should normally increase by at least 50 mg / l or more. Otherwise, we can assume the presence of bleeding in the body.
Most often, such a diagnosis is prescribed during periodic examinations or in comprehensive studies aimed at identifying a disease. In the second case, the patient, as a rule, has several specific symptoms of the pathology. The most common ones are:
- Constant feeling of tiredness, fatigue, irritability.
- Fragility of nails and hair loss, pallor of the skin.
- Decrease in protective reactions of an organism.
- Cardiopalmus.
- Chronic bleeding (from gums, nose, or heavy menstruation).
- Muscle pain even in the absence of exercise.
- Heartburn, nausea, or even vomiting.
- Swelling or soreness of the joints.
- Hyperpigmentation of the skin.
- Decreased sexual desire.
Such symptoms give reason to suspect the development of the disease. The doctor prescribes a comprehensive examination, including the level of ferritin in the blood.
Norm
There are established values of indicators, the so-called norm in the analysis for ferritin. They vary according to gender and age. Ferritin levels are more dependent on gender characteristics.
In newborns, this indicator is higher. During the first two months of life, the level of ferritin in the blood increases. In a later period in infants, this indicator decreases. Then at the age of about a year, ferritin in the blood of the child increases. At this level, the concentration of the presented protein is maintained until the very period of maturation.
Due to certain characteristics of the body in men, the norm of ferritin in a blood test is higher than in women. Moreover, the differences begin to be determined from the puberty period. The highest concentration of this protein is determined in men aged 30 to 39 years.
In the reproductive period in women, the level of ferritin is lower. This trend persists until menopause. Then the concentration of this protein gradually increases, reaching the level of an adult male. This feature is due to periodic menstruation in women.
The following indicators are considered normal:
- infants up to a month - 25-200 mcg / l;
- in the first month of life - 200-600 mcg / l;
- infants from 2 to 6 months - 50-200 mcg / l;
- children from 6 months to 15 years - 7-140 mcg / l;
- women over 15 years old - 10-120 mcg / l;
- men over 15 years old - 20-250 mcg / l.
It is worth considering that during pregnancy, during menstruation or childbirth, the female body needs more protein. The iron accumulated by these molecules is used almost immediately. The body during such periods does not create reserves of this substance. Therefore, in such periods, the indicators of accumulated iron will be minimal. Therefore, during pregnancy, ferritin is normally in the following ranges:
- I trimester - 56-90 mcg / l;
- II trimester - 25-74 mcg / l;
- III trimester - 10-15 mcg / l.
Reduced performance
So, what does a blood test for ferritin show? If the result is below the established norm, this may indicate the development of a pathological process in the body. In this case, it may turn out that the person is eating unbalanced. Low iron levels are often seen in vegetarians. Also, a reduced level of ferritin may indicate the appearance of bleeding or certain diseases. The most common causes of low levels of this protein in the body are:
- Hypothyroidism Due to thyroid dysfunction, the acidity of the stomach decreases. This leads to a deterioration in the processes of transformation of ferric iron into a divalent form. The latter is available for assimilation by the body. With hypothyroidism, the process of assimilation of folic acid, vitamin B 12, is also reduced. Due to improper functioning of the digestive tract, they are not absorbed in the digestive organs. Iron takes part in the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Therefore, hypothyroidism leads to a decrease in its concentration in the body, which negatively affects the work of this endocrine gland. It turns out a vicious circle that requires proper, timely treatment.
- Increased need for iron. If a person is very tired physically, is engaged in increased mental work, a decrease in the level of ferritin may be observed. A similar condition often occurs during pregnancy or with uncontrolled donation. When this condition is detected, appropriate foods, as well as preparations containing iron, are added to the diet.
- Blood loss. Due to such phenomena, the level of hemoglobin in the blood also decreases. Chronic bleeding, for example, from the nose or gums, of a different type leads to a decrease in the level of ferritin. Too heavy or long periods also negatively affect this indicator.
There are other reasons for the decline in indicators obtained during the analysis of blood for ferritin in an adult. What this result means should be interpreted exclusively by the doctor after a comprehensive diagnosis.
Other causes of decreased ferritin
In addition to the listed reasons for the decrease in the presented indicator, there are a number of other factors.
They need to be considered overview, understanding what the analysis for ferritin shows. Among the common causes of a decrease in the level of protein presented are the following:
- Gastrointestinal diseases. With celiac disease, atrophic gastritis, enterocolitis and a number of other pathologies that are accompanied by damage to the villi of the digestive tract, inflammatory process of the mucosa, iron deficiency occurs. It is not absorbed in the right amount in the digestive tract.
- Hypovitaminosis. Iron enters the body with food. It is not produced, so it is important to make up the need for this substance with the help of appropriate foods. If a person often sits on a diet, is not able to diversify the diet, this leads to hypovitaminosis. In this case, you need to take special preparations with a high iron content. It is much more effective to revise your diet, supplementing it with appropriate products. They must contain ferrous iron. It is absorbed by the body best.
- Menopause. During the analysis for iron and ferritin during menopause, a decrease in the concentration of these substances in the blood is often observed. This is due to hormonal changes, disruptions in some metabolic processes.
- Pregnancy and lactation. If during this period iron reserves are not replenished in the right amount, the indicator may fall below normal.
Increased rate
During a blood test for ferritin, it may turn out that its level is above normal. Often a similar result is obtained in acute, inflammatory, infectious, viral diseases, with oncology, as well as hyperthyroidism. The list of pathologies in which the level of ferritin is elevated is extensive. These include:
- hemochromatosis;
- hemolytic, megaloblastic anemia;
- acute porphyria;
- frequent blood transfusions;
- high iron diet
- chronic alcoholism;
- chronic hepatitis C and B;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- proliferation of adipose tissue;
- circulatory disorders;
- lymphocytic leukemia, myeloid leukemia;
- hepatoma;
- lymphogranousosis;
- myeloma
- cancer of the lung, pancreas or breast.
As can be seen from a blood test, ferritin may be elevated. This condition is possible with chronic inflammatory diseases, for example, bronchitis, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, polio, etc. Thyroid pathologies are also accompanied in some cases by an increase in the concentration of this protein.
Treatment
To normalize the level of ferritin in the blood, the cause of the pathology is eliminated. Only then can we expect to increase or decrease the concentration of the protein in the blood. If it needs to be increased, the doctor will prescribe preparations containing iron. You may need to improve the absorption of this substance from the digestive tract. Self-medication is dangerous to health. Only an experienced doctor can monitor the patient's condition by prescribing effective treatment.