Description

Ferritin has a molecular weight of 440 kD, depending on the iron content, and consists of a protein shell (apoferritin) that is composed of 24 subunits and an iron core containing an average of 2500 Fe3+ ions.

Latent iron deficiency is defined as a fall below the 12 ng/mL ferritin threshold. The two values are diagnostic even when the blood picture is still morphologically normal. A depressed ferritin level accompanied by hypochromic, microcytic anemia indicates manifest iron deficiency.

Elevated ferritin values are also encountered with the following tumors: acute leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease and carcinoma of the lung, colon, liver, and prostate. Ferritin determinations have also proved to be of value in liver metastasis. Reasons for the elevated values could be cell necrosis, blocked erythropoi-esis or increased synthesis in tumor tissue.