“Ferritin” is a protein in your body that stores iron. Doctors often check ferritin levels in your blood to get an idea of how much iron you have stored up.
In recent times, there has been a growing interest in ferritin levels, with some people attributing various symptoms or health issues to low ferritin levels, even when there may not be strong evidence to support this.
Fad Diagnosis du Jour
Now, when we say “fad diagnosis du jour,” it means that ferritin has become a trendy or popular thing for doctors to check, sometimes without good reason.
So, calling it a “fad diagnosis du jour” suggests that some people might be getting tested for ferritin excessively or jumping to conclusions about health issues based solely on ferritin levels, without considering other important factors or evidence-based medicine.
In simpler terms, it’s like saying ferritin testing has become trendy, but it’s important for doctors to use it wisely and not overdo it.
What are the Blood Iron Markers?
1. Ferritin: Think of ferritin as a storage unit for iron in your body. When your body has extra iron, it stores it in ferritin for later use. So, ferritin levels in your blood give an idea of how much iron your body has saved up for when it needs it.
2. Iron: Iron is a mineral that your body needs to function properly. It helps make red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. Iron is found in certain foods you eat, and your body absorbs it into your bloodstream to use for various functions.
3. Iron Saturation: This is like a measure of how much space in your body’s iron storage unit (ferritin) is filled up. It’s calculated by comparing the amount of iron in your blood to the total capacity of ferritin to hold iron. So, it tells you if your iron storage unit is nearly full or if there’s still room for more.
4. Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): This is a bit like a measure of how much your body is looking for iron. It tells you how much iron your blood could potentially hold onto. When your body needs more iron, it produces more proteins to bind with iron in the blood. So, TIBC measures the total amount of these proteins available to grab onto iron.
5. Unsaturated Iron-Binding Capacity (UIBC): UIBC measures how much of the protein that carries iron in your blood isn’t currently carrying iron. It’s the opposite of iron saturation. So, if your iron saturation is high, your UIBC might be low, and vice versa. UIBC helps doctors understand how much iron your body could potentially absorb.
In summary, when you get a blood test for ferritin, iron, iron saturation, and total iron binding capacity, doctors are checking how much iron you have stored, how much is currently in your bloodstream, how much space is left in your iron storage unit, and how much your body is actively seeking more iron. These tests help them understand your overall iron levels and whether you might have too little or too much iron in your body, which can affect your health.
After COVID-19: Why Are My Ferritin Levels High?
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