Ferritin test
Plasma ferritin
About the parameter
The plasma ferritin concentration declines very early when someone is developing an iron deficiency. On the other hand, a large number of chronic diseases display an increase in serum ferritin concentration. Examples are: 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 a following toxic liver injury because of release of ferritin from damaged liver cells. Plasma ferritin concentration is additionally increased with increases of iron stores, as seen in patients with haemosiderosis or haemochromatosis.
Furthermore, ferritin is of use as an iron metabolism parameter and has also gained importance as a tumour marker for therapeutic drug monitoring and follow-up routines.
Important for blood banks: A study of O’ Meara A, Infanti L, et al (2011), verified that the introduction of routine ferritin analysis results in an increase of mean haemoglobine levels in blood donors – particularly women in childbearing age. The incidence of predonation anaemia and donation ineligibility due to a low hgb concentration decreased significantly. The return intervals of donors rejected on account of low haemoglobine levels were shortened.
Overview
Method
Measurement of antigen/latex-antibody reaction by the end-point method.
Measurement range
12 – 500 ng/ml
Lower Detection limit: 12 ng/ml
Test duration
The test takes approx. 8 minutes to complete.
Package insert
More details can be found in the package insert.
Please note: All package inserts provided on this website are intended for information purposes only! Always process all tests, controls and calibrators strictly according to the package insert provided with the kit.
Appropriate instruments
 CUBE |
 CUBE-S |
 smart 700/340 |
 smart 700/546 |
Evaluation
Assay evaluation
Find the evaluation study for the Eurolyser Ferritin assay here: Evaluation Eurolyser Ferritin
Please note: depending on the time of the market launch of an assay, the respective assay evaluation was carried out using either a Eurolyser smart instrument or a Eurolyser CUBE instrument.
Since the measurement method is the same in both instruments (their photometric units are identical in construction), as was proved in this comparison study, all testkit evaluations provided on this website are valid for either instrument!
Additional information
Article numbers
ST 0170 Ferritin test kit (containing 32 tests)
ST 1700 Ferritin control kit (decision level)