Ferritin

Ferritin is a macromolecule that has a molecular weight of at least 440 kD, depending on the amount of iron present. It is composed of an iron core that has an average of about 2500 Fe3+ ions (in liver and spleen ferritin) and a protein shell (apoferritin) with 24 subunits. Ferritin measurement is a useful technique for determining the state of iron metabolism. A representative measurement of the body's iron reserves can be obtained by measuring ferritin at the start of treatment. Early detection is possible when it comes to reticulo-endothelial system (RES) storage deficiencies.