Ferritin v. Iron test

Does anyone know the difference between the ferritin and iron test? My iron is extremely low, and my surgeon has put me on an iron supplement, but wants my primary physican to monitor it (my surgeon still does bloodwork every 3 months anyway). So, my surgeon does the ferritin test, and my primary physician does the iron test. Any thoughts? Angie

I thought it was the same thing???

Here ya go... Evaluation of iron status can include several tests that are not always run together. These include: Serum iron level - measures the level of iron in the liquid part of your blood. Ferritin level - measures the amount of stored iron in your body. Ferritin is the main protein that stores iron for areas that need it, especially the liver and the bone marrow (the inside cavity in bones, where blood cells are made). Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) - measures the amount of transferrin, a blood protein that transports iron from the gut to the cells that use it. Your body makes transferrin in relationship to your need for iron; when iron stores are low, transferrin levels increase, while transferrin is low when there is too much iron. Usually about one third of the transferrin is being used to transport iron. Because of this, your blood serum has considerable extra iron-binding capacity, which is the Unsaturated Iron Biding Capacity (UIBC). The TIBC equals UIBC plus the serum iron measurement. Some laboratories measure UIBC, some measure TIBC, and some measure transferrin. (From www.labtestsonline.org)

Kathy, This url looks like a great resource for all of us. Thanks, Lori

Yea, Lori, it is a great resource! Glad I could share it. It does not tell you want the "normal" should be for any test since lab ranges vary but it can give you ideas of what tests combined check for various conditions and what a high value or low value might indicate. I'm using it to learn more and more about my "own care". Kathy

There are multiple levels examined when doing an iron anemia workup. Ferritin is considered long-term storage, in your liver. It is what your bone marrow uses when it creates red blood cells. This will be a number like 10-15. It takes longer for this number to rise after beginning iron supplements. Another factor when doing iron workup is hemoglobin. This is a higher number (like 30-45) and refers to how much hemoglobin is found in your blood sample (basically red blood cells). This will respond more quickly to iron supplements (assuming you don't have another blood disorder). There is another level that is tested in an anemia workup and that is 'retic', the real name I can recall just now. It is the average measurement (size) and number of your red blood cells. When you are actively losing blood, as a menstruating woman does, your bone marrow responds by creating red blood cells. If you are low on hemoglobin the marrow releases the cells before they are large. So, with a negative 'retic' value, you will have lots of small, immature red blood cells. Hope this helps. Eileen See, Lori -- I studied a bit a medicine long ago ...

Thanks for the insight! I remember you said you were an overeducated pointy headed liberal when we went out last week...comes in handy, huh?

Shhhh, they'd throw me out of OH for good if they found out just *exactly how pointy-headed AND liberal I am. Eileen

Kathy and I were posting simultaneously. Her post is much better written. Eileen

Ah, but you see...I did not write it. I just plagurized it.