Iron is very important in maintaining many body functions, including the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen. Iron is also necessary to maintain healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails. Iron deficiency is, in fact, one of the most common nutritional disorders. It affects between three and five billion people, which is between half and two-thirds of the world population.

Iron from the food you eat is absorbed into the body by the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract; the body only absorbs a small fraction of the iron you ingest. The iron is then released into the blood stream, where a protein called transferrin attaches to it and delivers the iron to the liver. Iron is stored in the liver as ferritin and released as needed to make new red blood cells in the bone marrow.

About 50% of anemia arise from nutritional iron deficiency, 42% are caused by inflammation and infection. The remaining 8% of anemia develop due to nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin A, vitamin B12, folate, riboflavin, copper, or are genetically caused.

What are the risk factors of iron-deficiency anemia?

Anemia is a common condition and can occur in both men and women of any age and from any ethnic group. Some people may be at greater risk of iron-deficiency anemia than others, including:

If at risk then make your appointment with doctor to get ferritin blood tested

What is a ferritin blood test?

A ferritin blood test measures the level of ferritin in your blood. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside your cells. You need iron to make healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Iron is also important for healthy muscles, bone marrow, and organ function. Too little or too much iron in your system can cause serious health problems if not treated.

Other names: serum ferritin, serum ferritin level, ferritin serum.

What is it used for?

A ferritin blood test is used to check your iron levels. It can help your health care provider find out if your body has the right amount of iron to stay healthy.

Why do I need a ferritin blood test?

You may need this test if you have symptoms of iron levels that are too low or too high.

What do the results mean?

Lower than normal ferritin levels may mean you have iron deficiency anemia or another condition related to low iron levels. Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia, a disorder in which your body doesn't make enough red blood cells. Iron deficiency anemia can cause heart problems, infections, and other health issues.

Higher than normal ferritin levels can mean you have too much iron in your body. Conditions that cause increased iron levels include liver disease, alcohol abuse, and hemochromatosis, a disorder that can lead to cirrhosis, heart disease, and diabetes.

If iron deficiency anemia is not treated

Therefore, XIAMEN BIOTIME BIOTECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. has developed Ferritin Rapid Quantitative Test Solution for monitoring iron deficiency/excess of iron & inflammation. Ferritin Rapid Quantitative Test is based on immunofluorescence protocol. Which uses serum as a sample type with the detection range of 1-1000ng/mL and it provides the results within 15mins. Ferritin is an iron storage protein essential to iron homeostasis and is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Ferritin helps to make iron available for cellular processes while protecting lipids, DNA, and proteins from potentially toxic effects of iron. Clinically, ferritin is largely used to assess the total amount of iron stored in the body. It is obvious that low ferritin levels are indicative of body iron deficiency.

Reference:

1. Vifor Pharma Ltd. (2018, August 23). Iron deficiency: an interview with Dr Thierry Teil. News-Medical. Retrieved on April 11, 2022

2. Vifor Pharma Ltd. "Iron deficiency: an interview with Dr Thierry Teil". News-Medical. 11 April 2022

3. Vifor Pharma Ltd. "Iron deficiency: an interview with Dr Thierry Teil". News-Medical. (accessed April 11, 2022)

4. Vifor Pharma Ltd. 2018. Iron deficiency: an interview with Dr Thierry Teil. News-Medical, viewed 11 April 2022

5. Out of Balance—Systemic Iron Homeostasis in Iron-Related Disorders Andrea Steinbicker Martina U Muckenthaler DOI: 10.3390/nu5083034

6. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. Anemia. (2021)

7. Testing.com. Anemia testing. (2021)

8. CDC. Anemia or iron deficiency. (2021)

9. Testing.com. Anemia testing. (2021)

10. Xiamen Biotime Product page: https://www.xiamenbiotime.com/ferritin-rapid-quantitative-test_p35.html