What is the Difference Between Serum Iron and Ferritin?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between serum iron and ferritin lies in their functions and the levels they indicate. Here is a summary of their differences:
- Serum Iron:
- Measures iron levels in serum, representing iron that is almost completely bound to transferrin.
- Iron is a mineral found in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body.
- Blood iron levels represent the balance between dietary intake and iron losses.
- Iron is essential for several bodily processes, including the formation and functioning of hemoglobin found in red blood cells.
- Serum iron levels can fluctuate significantly due to diurnal variation and fasting status.
- Ferritin:
- Measures the body's ability to store iron, specifically in an inactive form.
- Ferritin is a complex protein that stores iron and is a good indicator of how much iron is present in the body.
- Like iron, ferritin is also involved in the production of hemoglobin, but it stores iron rather than carrying oxygen.
- Ferritin levels in the blood reflect the total amount of iron available to the body.
- Low ferritin levels indicate iron deficiency, which is often associated with symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, and headaches.
In summary, serum iron measures the level of iron in the blood that is bound to transferrin and is involved in carrying oxygen, while ferritin measures the body's ability to store iron. Ferritin levels are used to assess body iron stores and help diagnose iron deficiency anemia or other iron-related health conditions.
Comparative Table: Serum Iron vs Ferritin
Serum iron and ferritin are two biomarkers related to iron status in the body. Here is a table comparing the differences between them:
| Feature | Serum Iron | Ferritin |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Serum iron measures the amount of iron circulating in the blood. | Ferritin is an iron storage protein, and its concentration in the serum reflects the body's iron stores. Low ferritin indicates iron deficiency, while high ferritin suggests iron overload. |
| Purpose | Serum iron is used to assess the body's iron status and its ability to transport oxygen. | Ferritin is used to evaluate body iron stores, and it is a good marker of total body iron stores. |
| Measurement | Serum iron measurements are typically performed using automated assays that require the separation of serum or plasma from the cellular component of whole blood. | Ferritin assays can also be performed in commercial laboratories using a range of automated assays that require the separation of serum or plasma from the cellular component of whole blood. |
| Inflammation and Disease | Serum iron levels can be affected by inflammation and other conditions. | Ferritin concentrations are not affected by inflammation and other conditions to the same extent as serum iron. |
| Conditions | High serum iron levels may be associated with conditions like hemochromatosis and hepatitis C. | Low ferritin levels are usually seen in iron deficiency, while high ferritin levels can be observed in conditions like inflammation, infection, malignancy, liver or kidney disease. |
In summary, serum iron measures the amount of iron circulating in the blood, while ferritin reflects the body's iron stores. Serum iron can be affected by inflammation and other conditions, whereas ferritin is a more consistent measure of iron status.
- Iron vs Ferritin
- Ferritin vs Hemoglobin
- Ferritin vs Transferrin
- Ferritin vs Hemosiderin
- Ferrous vs Ferric
- Iron vs Ferrous Sulfate
- Ferric vs Ferrous Sulphate
- Iron vs Hemoglobin
- Ferrous Fumarate vs Ferrous Sulfate
- Anemia vs Iron Deficiency
- Iron Ore vs Iron
- Sodium vs Iron
- Ferrous Sulphate vs Folic Acid
- Zinc vs Iron
- Carbonyl Iron vs Ferrous Sulfate
- Blood Transfusion vs Iron Infusion
- Ferrous Sulfate vs Iron Glycinate
- Ferrous Gluconate vs Ferrous Sulfate
- Chelated Iron vs Gentle Iron