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Test Code LAB68 Ferritin, Plasma or Serum

Reporting Title

Ferritin

Methodology

Roche Diagnostics, Elecsys®/Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay

Useful in evaluating patient’s iron reserve including storage deficiency of the reticuloendothelial system. Also elevated in acute leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, cancer of the lung, colon, liver, and prostate. Seventy-six percent of patients with liver metastasis have ferritin levels above 400 ng/mL.

Performing Laboratory

OhioHealth Laboratory Services - RMH, DH, GMC, MGH, MH, OBH Core Laboratory

Specimen Requirements

Due to interference, patients receiving high doses of biotin (>5 mg/day) should wait at least 8 hours after dose before having blood drawn.

 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Preferred:

Serum

Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube(s) from a fasting patient. Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.
Note:

1. A speckled-top serum gel tube (s) or a plain, red-top tube(s) is also acceptable.

2. Patients receiving therapy with mouse monoclonal antibodies may have erroneous results.

3. Indicate serum on request form.

4. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

 

Alternate: 

Plasma

Draw blood in a mint green-top (heparin) gel tube(s) from a fasting patient. Spin down and send 1 mL of heparinized plasma refrigerated.

Note:  1. Patients receiving therapy with mouse monoclonal antibodies may have erroneous results.

2. Indicate plasma on request form.

3. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum or plasma Refrigerated 7 days
  Ambient  48 hours
  Frozen  1 year

 

Specimen Transport Temperature

Refrigerate/Ambient OK/Frozen OK

Reference Values

Males:  30-400 ng/mL

Females:  13-150 ng/mL

A threshold of 20 ng/mL is useful in detection of prelatent iron deficiency. A threshold of 12 ng/mL indicates latent iron deficiency even if the blood picture is still morphologically normal. When a distribution disorder is ruled out, a level >400 ng/mL indicates iron overload.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82728