Ferritin is a protein found inside cells that serves as a storage unit for iron in the body. It acts like a cellular warehouse, safely holding iron atoms until they are needed for various bodily functions. This protein is present in nearly all cells, with higher concentrations found in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Ferritin plays a role in maintaining iron balance, a process known as iron homeostasis, which is important for overall health and cellular function.
Ferritin’s Essential Role in the Body
Ferritin’s responsibility is to store iron in a controlled manner, preventing the harmful effects of free iron. Free iron can generate damaging free radicals, so sequestering it within ferritin’s nano-cage structure is protective. This controlled storage ensures that iron is readily available for processes and prevents iron toxicity.
Iron is a mineral, a component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Beyond oxygen transport, iron is also necessary for muscles, bone marrow, and various organ functions, including DNA synthesis. Ferritin levels in the blood, measured by a blood test, indirectly reflect the amount of iron stored in the body.
Reference ranges for ferritin can vary between laboratories, but for adult males, levels are 30 to 400 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), while for adult females, the range is 12 to 150 ng/mL. These ranges can differ based on age and sex. A ferritin test helps determine if there is a healthy amount of iron stored in the body.
Causes of Elevated Ferritin Levels
Elevated ferritin levels do not always signal a serious health condition; various factors can cause them to rise. Ferritin acts as an acute phase reactant, meaning levels increase with inflammation or infection. This is a common reason for high ferritin, as the body sequesters iron to limit its availability to pathogens.
Liver diseases, such as hepatitis or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, are common causes of elevated ferritin as the liver is a primary site for iron storage and releases ferritin when damaged. Chronic kidney disease and alcohol excess can also lead to increased ferritin levels. Iron overload conditions, like hereditary hemochromatosis, where the body absorbs too much iron from the diet, are another cause, leading to iron accumulation in organs.
Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and metabolic syndrome, characterized by conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, are also associated with elevated ferritin. Certain cancers can also lead to increased ferritin levels. The presence of high ferritin often prompts further investigation to determine the underlying cause.
How Ferritin Relates to Cancer
Ferritin can be elevated in cancer for several reasons. Cancer often induces inflammation, leading to increased ferritin production as part of the immune response. Some cancer cells may also produce or overexpress ferritin, contributing to higher levels.
Despite this correlation, ferritin is not a specific diagnostic tool for cancer. High ferritin levels alone cannot pinpoint a specific type of cancer or confirm its presence because many non-cancerous conditions also cause elevations. Its non-specificity means it is not used for definitive cancer diagnosis, but as a general indicator that warrants further investigation.
Elevated ferritin might be observed in various cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, liver cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer. In these instances, the level of ferritin often correlates with the tumor burden, which is the total amount of cancer cells in the body, or with the progression of the disease. Therefore, ferritin can serve as a marker for monitoring disease activity in individuals already diagnosed with cancer.
Ferritin’s utility in oncology focuses on tracking the response to treatment or disease recurrence in cancer cases. For example, a decrease in ferritin levels during therapy might suggest a positive response, while an increase could indicate disease progression. It acts as a supportive marker within a broader clinical picture, complementing more specific diagnostic tests.
Understanding Your Ferritin Results
If a ferritin test reveals elevated levels, a high ferritin level is a signal that requires further medical investigation to determine its underlying cause. It prompts healthcare professionals to consider a range of possibilities, from inflammation and liver conditions to iron overload or, in some cases, cancer.
Doctors will consider a patient’s medical history, symptoms, and other laboratory results when interpreting ferritin levels. This comprehensive approach ensures that all potential factors contributing to the elevation are evaluated. Additional diagnostic tests, such as imaging studies, biopsies, or specific tumor markers, may be ordered to help pinpoint the exact cause of the elevated ferritin.
Consult a healthcare professional for interpretation of ferritin results and guidance. Self-diagnosis based solely on a ferritin level can lead to unnecessary anxiety or misinterpretation. A medical professional can explain what the results mean in the context of an individual’s overall health and recommend appropriate follow-up actions, ensuring a precise diagnosis and effective management plan.