What Is Ferritin Test? Why It Is To Be Performed? Relation Between Ferritin Test And Covid-19
Ferritin Test is a blood test to measure the protein ferritin in the blood. Ferritin, is a protein which is responsible for the storage of iron inside the cells. Ferritin is considered to be the major protein for the storage of the iron.
The body stores iron and uses as and when needed to make oxygen in the blood. This iron is stored in a protein called ferritin. Iron is responsible to make healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells function to carry oxygen from lungs to the rest of the body.
Iron is also needed for the healthy muscles and proper functioning of bone marrow and organ.
🩸Preparation Needed For The Test
As such there is no special preparation for this test. The person must be able to eat and drink normally before going for the test. Also, person must inform to the doctor if he or she is taking any medications as many drugs or medicines might affect the test results. Also, inform about any blood transfusion if done any.🩸What Sample Is Needed For The Test?
A blood sample is taken from the vein (usually from the arm inside of the elbow or from the back of the hand).🩸Why This Test Is To Be Performed?
Ferritin test is performed to check the normal, low and high level of iron in the blood.Having low iron level indicates anemia or high blood loss.
Generally if you have symptoms like:
- Fatigue
- Feeling weak
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heart beat
- Burning sensation on tongue
- Pale skin
Indicates the low level of iron.
In fact, you also have strange craving for chalk, dirt or clay.
Hence, in this case ferritin test is to be performed.
While symptoms like:
- Pain in abdomen
- Weight loss
- Energy loss
- Body hair loss
- Low sex drive
- Joint pain
- Heart problems
Indicates too high level of iron.
Hence, in this case ferritin test is to be performed.
🩸Normal Value For Ferritin Blood Test
12 to 300 ng/mL for males.
12 to 150 ng/mL for females.
12 to 150 ng/mL for females.
Age Wise
20 to 250 ng/mL for adult males.
10 to 120 ng/mL for adult females of 18 to 39 years.
12 to 263 ng/mL for females, above 40 years old
25 to 200 ng /mL for newborns
200 to 600 ng/mL for 1 month old baby.
50 to 200ng /mL for 2 to 5 months old.
7 to 140 ng/mL for children of 6 months to 15 years.
🩸Test Results Of Ferritin Blood Test
Normal value of iron that is if ferritin test are ij normal range, it indicates no treatment needed for a medical condition. Also, certain medicines or drugs may increase or decrease the results of ferritin level or iron level.If the test results show lower value, indicates iron deficiency anemia or other condition related to iron levels. Iron deficiency anemia means the body doesn't produce enough red blood cells and hence cause heart problems, certain infections and other medical condition. People with iron deficiency anemia may develop symptoms like:
- Lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Pale skin
- Dizziness
- Fast heart rate
- Shortness of breath
Other causes of low iron levels are:
- Excessive bleeding in menstruation
- Internal bleeding
- Stomach condition affecting intestinal absorption
High value of ferritin test means too much iron in the body. This may lead to liver disease, alcohol abuse, cirrhosis, heart disease and even diabetes.
A condition called Hemochromatosis is the major indicative disease of high iron level.
The person with this medical condition may develop symptoms like:
Hence, elevated levels of ferritin levels indicates the presence of viruses and bacteria into the body and high level indicates high severity of covid-19 disease.
The body expands the iron when needed for the regulation of the oxygen metabolism.
The expansion of ferritin is because ferritin binds free ions of the trace element, to neutralize the toxic properties and thus increases solubility.
Genetic Mutation also causes Hyperferritinemia which leads to neurological disorders and vision problems
A condition called Hemochromatosis is the major indicative disease of high iron level.
The person with this medical condition may develop symptoms like:
- Heart failure
- Joint pain
- Sexual dysfunction
- Diabetes
- Weight loss
- Skin becomes dark
- Fatigue
- Higher inflammation
Other causes of high iron levels are:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cancer of some type
- Liver disease
- Leukemia
- Frequent blood transfusion
- Hyperthyroidism
- Iron poisoning
- Restless leg syndrome
- Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Adult still's disease
🩸Relation Between Ferritin Blood Test And Covid-19
Analysis showed that the patient with severe covid-19 have elevated levels of ferritin as compared with non-severe patient. Hence, ferritin test are closely related to the severity of covid-19 disease.Hence, elevated levels of ferritin levels indicates the presence of viruses and bacteria into the body and high level indicates high severity of covid-19 disease.
The body expands the iron when needed for the regulation of the oxygen metabolism.
The expansion of ferritin is because ferritin binds free ions of the trace element, to neutralize the toxic properties and thus increases solubility.
Genetic Mutation also causes Hyperferritinemia which leads to neurological disorders and vision problems
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