Summary:

The plasma Ferritin concentration declines very early in the development of iron deficiency. A large number of chronic diseases result in increased serum Ferritin concentrations. I.e. chronic infections, chronic inflammatory disorders and numerous types of malignancies, especially lymphomas, leukaemias, breast cancer and neuroblastoma. Increase in plasma Ferritin concentration also occurs in viral hepatitis or following toxic liver injury because of release of Ferritin from damaged liver cells. Plasma Ferritin concentration is also increased with increases of iron stores, as seen in patients with hemosiderosis or hemochromatosis. Besides the use of Ferritin as an iron metabolism parameter, Ferritin as also gained importance as a tumour marker for therapeutic drug monitoring and follow-up.

Assay principle:

Measurement of antigen/latex-antibody reaction by the end-point method.
Measuring Range: 0-500 ng/mL
Lower Detection Limit: 12 ng/mL