Ferritin

Q: Which of the following is an acute phase reactant (select one)

A) Serum ferritin
B) Transferrin 


Answer: A

Ferritin is mostly described with the metabolism of iron and in discussion with iron deficiency and iron overload. Ferritin is an indirect marker of the total stored iron in the body. But it is also an acute phase reactant and its level may be increased in inflammation, infection or cancer. The objective of above question is to highlight the point that measuring ferritin to rule out iron deficiency anemia in ICU patients may not be a reliable test.

#hematology
#SIRS


References:

1. Zandman-Goddard G, Shoenfeld Y. Ferritin in autoimmune diseases. Autoimmun Rev. 2007;6:457–463.

2. Weinberg ED, Miklossy J. Iron withholding: a defense against disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2008;13:451–463.

3. Wang W, Knovich MA, Coffman LG, Torti FM, Torti SV. Serum Ferritin: Past, Present and Future. Biochimica et biophysica acta. 2010;1800(8):760-769.