Ferritin ELISA

Ferritin is a globular protein found mainly in the liver,
which can store about 2'250 iron (Fe3+) ions. The
ferritin molecule consists of a protein shell
(apoferritin) composed of heavy and light subunits,
which surrounds a crystalline core containing iron
oxide and phosphate.
Ferritin is synthesized in the liver, spleen and
numerous other body tissues, with major
concentrations found in the liver, spleen, bone
marrow, and intestinal mucosa
The ferritin levels measured have a direct correlation
with the total amount of iron stored in the body. If
ferritin is high there is iron in excess, which would be
excreted in the stool. If ferritin is low there is a risk for
lack in iron, which sooner or later could lead to
anaemia.
In the setting of anaemia, serum ferritin is the most
sensitive lab test for iron deficiency anaemia. In
contrast, serum ferritin levels are normal or increased
in anemia associated with chronic disease. Elevated
serum ferritin levels have been observed in acute and
chronic liver disease and lymphoid malignancy
(leukemia and Hodgkin lymphoma). High serum
ferritin levels have also been associated with an
elevated risk for myocardial infarction in men. Ferritin
is also used as a marker for iron overload disorders,
such as haemochromatosis in which the ferritin level
may be abnormally raised.
Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant, it is often elevated
in the course of disease.
Free iron is toxic to cells, and the body has an
elaborate set of protective mechanisms to bind iron in
various tissue compartments. Within cells, iron is
stored complexed to protein as ferritin or
hemosiderin. Apoferritin binds to free ferrous iron and
stores it in the ferric state. Under steady state
conditions, the serum ferritin level correlates with total
body iron stores; thus, the serum ferritin level is the
most convenient laboratory test to estimate iron
stores.