What is Ferritin? Ferritin High and Low

Iron mineral taken into the body through foods and supplements is stored after being absorbed by the cells of the small intestine or, when necessary, released into the bloodstream on carrier proteins. The stored iron is called “ferritin”.

What is Ferritin?

Ferritin is a protein that plays a very important role in iron metabolism. Ferritin, whose main task is to store iron for use in various cellular functions, also has protective properties because free iron has toxic effects on fat, protein and DNA, which is the hereditary material in cells. Liver cells and immune system cells are among the cells that contain the most ferritin. Although it varies according to the health institution performing the test, ferritin levels that are considered normal are:

• 20-500 nanograms per milliliter for men
• 20-200 nanograms per milliliter for women

Why Ferritin Decreases?

In people whose blood ferritin level is found to be below the normal ranges after the measurement, this usually indicates a decrease in dietary iron intake. Apart from this, causes such as excessive menstrual bleeding, stomach disorders that may cause problems with iron absorption, and internal bleeding may result in a decrease in ferritin levels. Various complaints that occur in people with ferritin deficiency can be considered among the symptoms of ferritin deficiency:

• Weakness and weakness that cannot be explained by other causes
• Drowsiness
• Long-standing headache
• Tinnitus
• Restlessness
• Leg pain
• Dyspnea

The most common causes of ferritin deficiency include iron deficiency with food, which is important because it may indicate an iron deficiency that is most likely present in the person being tested. it does. In the case of low ferritin and iron deficiency, red blood cells responsible for the transport of respiratory gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. Problems may arise with the production of the iron-containing hemoglobin molecule. This may result in anemia, which is called iron deficiency anemia. After the occurrence of this health condition, many signs and symptoms may occur depending on the rate of occurrence and the severity of anemia:

• The feeling of extreme tiredness is one of the complaints in people who develop iron deficiency. Problems in the production of hemoglobin protein due to iron deficiency can cause a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream and a feeling of fatigue.
• The decrease in the amount of oxygen carried in the bloodstream may cause the development of shortness of breath in individuals with iron deficiency. This complaint, which occurs because the body tries to balance the low level of oxygen in the circulation with rapid breathing, can reach a level that negatively affects daily activities such as walking.

Other complaints such as hair, nail and skin problems, heart palpitations and restless legs syndrome may also be present. cases can be high. Individuals with high ferritin levels may have high or low iron levels. The reason for this difference is that the ferritin level can rise independently of the iron level in case of inflammation in the body. During the course of this disease, damage may occur due to iron accumulation in the liver, pancreas, heart, thyroid gland, joints, reproductive organs and pineal gland. The patient is affected by these organs. A variety of signs and symptoms occur. For example, diabetes can occur as a result of damage to the pancreas. The accumulation of iron in the liver negatively affects the functions of this organ, and various symptoms such as abdominal pain, cirrhosis, enlarged liver and spleen, and jaundice may occur. It is diagnostically valuable to detect it. Rheumatoid arthritis disease usually affects the body bilaterally. Joint pain, swelling and limitation of movement are among the most common complaints that occur during the course of this joint inflammation disease. Hormones produced from the thyroid gland are mainly responsible for regulating the level of cellular metabolism. Hyperthyroidism, which is a condition of excessive production of these hormones, may occur in case of excessive consumption of iodine, inflammation of the thyroid gland, benign tumors of the pituitary and thyroid gland, and ingestion of high amounts of thyroid hormones from outside. Thus, it can cause various complaints such as accelerated heartbeat, increased blood pressure, tremors in the hands, increased appetite, nervousness, sleep problems, hair loss, weight loss and menstrual irregularity.

Type 2 Diabetes Diabetes mellitus, which is an important health problem in which it is above the limits, occurs due to problems with the insulin hormone, which is responsible for reducing the blood sugar to normal levels by increasing the use of sugar by the cells. The main reason for the emergence of the disease is that the cells develop a resistance against the hormone insulin in type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the cells' inability to use glucose, which is the main energy source, results in their turning to alternative energy sources. At the same time, weakness, excessive thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, problems with vision and various fungal infections are among the other symptoms that may occur during the course of the disease. . In diseases that cause damage to this organ, ferritin may pass into the bloodstream from the lysed cells and cause it to be detected above the normal value range. Ferritin can be detected as higher than normal in the presence of ferritin. feeling

Weakness and weakness that cannot be explained by other reasons

Joint pains

You can ask the questions you are wondering about ferritin to the expert team of Grup Florence Nightingale Hospitals and provide suggestions regarding your question. you can ask. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.

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