Ferritin

What is ferritin?

Ferritin, a type of protein complex, is responsible for storing and controlling the release of iron in the body. Iron ensures that red blood cells, which are the most abundant cells in the blood, can provide enough oxygen to the tissues.

Ferritin properties found in body cells are located in cells in 75% of the liver. It is also found in immune cells and bone marrow. Ferritin, which is briefly called iron storage, is also the value looked at in the tests applied to measure the amount of iron in the body. For this reason, a low ferritin value in the body indicates that iron stores are low, while a high ferritin value indicates that iron is stored in excessive amounts.

Ferritin values vary according to age and gender. In general, women have lower normal ferritin levels than men. This is because women menstruate regularly every month.

Low ferritin

Lower than normal ferritin values, which are responsible for the release and storage of iron, indicate that iron stores are empty. Although this condition is popularly called anemia, iron deficiency is a natural consequence of ferritin deficiency.

Ferritin deficiency negatively affects the production of red blood cells. This causes blood cells to receive fewer oxygen molecules from the lungs and less oxygen is delivered to the tissues.

Causes of low ferritin

Low ferritin values are seen due to many different reasons. However, the most common reasons for low ferritin values in the society are excessive tea and coffee consumption and irregular nutrition. In addition, low ferritin levels are also expected in women during menstruation, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Other causes of low ferritin include the following:

• Presence of polyps, cancer and diverticula in the gastrointestinal system
• Blood loss
• Chronic diseases
• Stomach and intestinal problems
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Frequent consumption of processed meat products
• Overcooked meat
• Premature birth
• Abortion
• Low
• Frequent birth interval
• Insufficient absorption of iron in the intestines

Symptoms of low ferritin

Symptoms caused by low ferritin are due to insufficient oxygenation of tissues due to iron deficiency. Inadequate oxygen supply to tissues leads to functional and tissue disorders over time. Low or moderate ferritin levels may not cause any symptoms. Symptoms that can be seen in patients with low ferritin include the following:

• Hair loss
• Itching
• Impaired concentration
• Irritability
• Forgetfulness
• Feeling cold
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Soil and lime eating requirements
• Loss of appetite
• Difficult getting up in the morning
• Lethargy
• Fatigue
• Fatigue
• Restless leg syndrome
• Numbness in fingers and toes
• Leg pain
• Sexual aversion
• Shortness of breath
• Striped appearance on the nails
• Skin dryness
• Easy breakage of nails
• Skin discoloration

Dangers of low ferritin

Some symptoms caused by low ferritin negatively affect the social life of patients. Therefore, the first danger of low ferritin is its negative impact on patients' quality of life.

If ferritin deficiency is not treated, iron deficiency becomes chronic. This causes the body's resistance to weaken. As the amount of iron gradually decreases in the body, the body becomes more susceptible to diseases. In addition, the health problems that may be caused by low ferritin include the following:

• Nervous system diseases may occur.
• Women with ferritin deficiency are less likely to become pregnant.
• If seen in children, it causes developmental delay
• It negatively affects the development of children's musculoskeletal systems.
• Increases the risk of cancer.
• Anemia

Treatment of low ferritin

If ferritin deficiency is detected, the underlying health problem causing this condition must first be identified. Detection and treatment of the underlying health problem allows ferritin levels to rise rapidly to optimal levels.

If low ferritin is not due to any disease, then iron supplements should be used. Iron supplements in the form of capsules, drops and syrups are usually sufficient to normalize ferritin levels in patients. In addition, some patients need to be given iron supplements intravenously. This is called intravenous iron administration. In addition, patients should follow a diet that is especially rich in vitamin B12 and vitamin C.

Ferritin elevation

A high level of ferritin in the body indicates that more iron accumulates in the body than it should. Elevated ferritin, especially after blood transfusions, causes toxicity. The presence of iron toxicity in the body causes organ dysfunction. For this reason, one of the medical conditions to be considered is high ferritin.

Causes of elevated ferritin

There are many causes of high ferritin. One of the leading causes is genetic predisposition. Apart from this, the factors that cause ferritin elevation are as follows:

• Inflammatory diseases
• Chronic diseases
• Liver diseases due to excessive alcohol consumption
• Iron metabolism disorder
• Type 2 diabetes
• Hyperthyroidism
• Leukemia
• Hepatitis c

Symptoms of high ferritin

Symptoms indicating that ferritin values are high include the following:

• Weight loss
• Darkening of skin color
• Joint pain
• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Fatigue
• Palpitations
• Sexual aversion

Dangers of high ferritin

Higher than normal ferritin values primarily cause low libido in patients. In addition, elevated ferritin, which poses a serious risk for cardiovascular diseases, causes unexplained weight loss and fatigue. In addition, high ferritin levels can also be a harbinger of cancer.

Ferritin test

The ferritin test, one of the blood tests, is performed to measure the amount of ferritin in the blood. This allows you to find out how much iron is stored in the body. The ferritin test is used to diagnose diseases such as liver diseases or restless leg syndrome and to monitor the treatment of diseases such as hemosiderosis and hemochromatosis.

Treatment of ferritin elevation

In the case of elevated ferritin, as in the case of low ferritin, the health reasons that cause the values to rise above the upper limit are primarily investigated. If there is no underlying health problem, then ferritin levels are reduced to normal levels with various medications.

In some patients, changing the diet is sufficient to normalize the ferritin level. Patients may need to consume green tea, tea, coffee and calcium-rich foods for a certain period of time. In addition, taking minerals such as magnesium and zinc will be sufficient for the ferritin level to reach the normal range.

Ferritin reference values

Ferritin normal values vary according to age and gender. Values are expected to remain within normal limits. Ferritin values below or above the limit are undesirable. Accordingly, the ferritin reference values are as follows:

• Newborn babies should have a ferritin level between 25 and 200 ng/ml.
• 1-month-old babies should have ferritin levels between 200 and 600 ng/ml.
• Babies between 2 and 5 months should have ferritin levels between 50 and 200 ng/ml.
• Babies between 6 months and 15 years of age should have ferritin levels between 7 and 142 ng/ml.
• In adult women, ferritin levels are expected to be between 12 and 120 ng/ml.
• In adult men, ferritin levels are expected to be between 12 and 300 ng/ml.

Nutrition in ferritin patients

People with low ferritin should pay attention to their diet as well as the treatment applied. Especially in cases where iron supplementation is insufficient, nutrition becomes more important.

Patients should not consume milk and dairy products during treatment of low ferritin. This is because minerals such as calcium, zinc and magnesium reduce iron absorption. People for whom treatment is inadequate require a special nutrition program. The points that should be especially emphasized in this nutrition program are the following:

• Patients should primarily consume foods rich in C and B12.
• Yeast bread consumption
• Dried legumes
• Egg
• Red meat
• Fish
• Greenery
• Sesame
• Molasses
• Hazelnut
• Grape
• Apricot
• Mulberry
• Poultry
• Dark green leafy vegetables
• Oily seafood
• Grains

Ferritin versus iron

The fact that ferritin values give information about the amount of iron in the body often causes them to be confused with each other. But ferritin and iron are completely different structures. First of all, iron is a mineral, while ferritin is a blood cell complex protein. For this reason, ferritin is a structure that can be produced by the body, while iron is a mineral that must be taken from outside. In addition, although ferritin is very low in the blood, it is abundant in body cells. However, iron is abundant in the blood because it is used to make red blood cells. Finally, ferritin is a structure that allows iron to be stored and released.

Low ferritin and anemia

The most common type of anemia worldwide is anemia due to iron deficiency. Depending on the severity of iron deficiency anemia, the symptoms seen in patients vary. Among the symptoms generally seen are the following:

• In iron deficiency anemia, people feel extremely tired. The reason for this is that hemoglobin levels in the blood decrease due to iron deficiency and tissues do not receive enough oxygen.
• Another symptom of iron deficiency anemia is pale skin color and deterioration of mucosal lubrication in the facial area.
• The decrease in the amount of oxygen in the blood also causes shortness of breath in patients. For this reason, patients breathe in and out faster than normal.

What should be done in ferritin deficiency in children?

Children with symptoms of iron deficiency should first have a detailed blood test. If low ferritin is observed in the tests, iron supplements are started. Iron supplements are absorbed quickly in the digestive system. Therefore, low ferritin can be treated within 1 to 2 months. However, parents should pay attention to the diet of children taking iron supplements. Among the points that families should pay attention to in the nutrition of children are the following:

• Iron supplements should be taken on an empty stomach. However, the hunger referred to here is not the time immediately before a meal. Instead, the supplement should be taken between two meals.
• The blood test must be renewed on the fifth day of treatment. Because on this day it becomes clear whether the supplements used increase ferritin values. If ferritin levels are elevated, treatment is continued. However, if there is no change in the values, a different treatment can be planned.
• The duration of treatment ends when the ferritin value reaches the normal range. For this reason, ferritin levels in the blood should be monitored at regular intervals.
• If treatment of low ferritin in children is neglected, children's immune systems and mental health deteriorate.

Low ferritin during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period when ferritin values decrease. Much more iron is used to increase the amount of blood in the body and to ensure the healthy development of the baby. For this reason, ferritin levels should be checked during pregnancy.

A serum ferritin level above 20 ng/ml in women during pregnancy is sufficient for a healthy pregnancy. In addition, hemoglobin values of pregnant women should also be examined.

Symptoms of low ferritin during pregnancy

Symptoms of low ferritin levels in women during pregnancy include the following:

• Feeling of fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Pallor of the skin and mucous membranes
• Hair loss

The dangers of low ferritin during pregnancy

Having iron levels within normal values during pregnancy is extremely important for both the health of the mother and the healthy development of the baby. If ferritin values are low and this condition is not treated, the following are among the dangers that may arise:

• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Babies getting sick more often than usual

Things to consider when using iron supplements during pregnancy

Women are given 30 mg of iron supplements daily to meet their iron needs during pregnancy. The use of iron supplements can cause side effects in some pregnant women. These side effects include the following:

• Vomiting
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Pain in the upper abdomen

To reduce these side effects, iron supplements should be consumed between meals and with plenty of water. If animal food is not consumed, the daily iron intake should be increased.