Sign in →

Test Code FERR Ferritin LAB68

Performing Laboratory

UnityPoint The Finley Hospital

Performance

Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.

Routine: Typically completed within 4 hours after the specimen arrives at the laboratory.

STAT: Typically completed within 1 hour after the specimen arrives at the laboratory.

Specimen Requirement

  1. Lithium heparin plasma (Green) is the specimen of choice. 500μL.
  2. Serum (Red/Gold) and EDTA (purple) plasma are also acceptable sample types.
  3. Gel tubes are acceptable.
  4. It is recommended that the serum or plasma be separated from contact with cells within 2 hours from time of collection.
  5. Ferritin specimens are stable for 48 hours at 20-25°C, 7 days at 2-8°C, and 12 months at -20°C.

Useful For

Ferritin is a suitable method for ascertaining the iron metabolism. Determination of ferritin at the beginning of therapy provides a representative measure of the body's iron reserves. A storage deficiency in the reticulo‑endothelial system (RES) can be detected at a very early stage. Clinically, a threshold value of 20 μg/L (ng/mL) has proved useful in the detection of prelatent iron deficiency. Latent iron deficiency is defined as a fall below the 12 μg/L (ng/mL) ferritin threshold. When the ferritin level is elevated and the possibility of a distribution disorder can be ruled out, this is a manifestation of iron overloading in the body. 400 μg/L (ng/mL) ferritin is used as the threshold value. Elevated ferritin values are also encountered with the following tumors: acute leukemia, Hodgkin's disease and carcinoma of the lung, colon, liver and prostate. The determination of ferritin has proved to be of value in liver metastasis. 

Reference Values

Males: 30-400 ng/mL

Females: 13-150 ng/mL

LOINC Code Information

2276-4 Ferritin [Mass/Volume] In Serum Or Plasma

Method

Chemiluminescent immunoassay (sandwich principle); Roche cobas Pro

CPT Information

82728: Chemistry: Ferritin