Abstract

Dr. Parul Parvesh Verma* and Dr. Ashu Gautam

ABSTRACT

Ferritin is an iron storage protein found mainly in liver and spleen and in small amounts in human serum. The ferritin in serum is chiefly derived from macrophages. It is critical to iron homeostasis. During liver damage, ferritin leaks from hepatocytes, and plasma concentration rises (hyperferritinemia). Hyperferritinemia observed in obesity, inflammation and daily consumption of alcohol. Hypoferritinemia (low levels of ferritin) is associated with iron deficiency anemia, crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, hemorrhoids etc. Ferritin concentrations vary by age and gender. SF is the most common laboratory investigation requested these days from various departments. This study was planned to see the ferritin levels in serum samples of both males and females attending the outpatient department (OPD) of various clinical departments in a tertiary care hospital.