MedifocusHealth

There are two important proteins, namely ferritin and transferrin that play a major role in the body's ability to metabolize iron.

Ferritin is a protein that binds to iron and is involved with iron storage. Each ferritin molecule can bind thousands of iron atoms. Most of the iron which is stored in the body is bound to ferritin. Ferritin is found in the liver, skeletal muscles, spleen, bone marrow, and in the bloodstream. The amount of ferritin in the bloodstream, known as the serum ferritin level, is directly proportional to the amount of iron stored in the liver. The body increases the production of ferritin when excess iron is absorbed in order to facilitate storage. The serum ferritin level is measured in units expressed as nanograms per milliliters (ng/ml). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), normal levels of serum ferritin include:

• Males - below 300 ng/ml
• Females - below 200 ng/ml for premenopausal women and below 300 ng/ml for postmenopausal women

Transferrin is a carrier protein synthesized in the liver that transports iron in the bloodstream to red blood cells in all tissue. The amount of iron that is bound to transferring can be measured and expressed as the serum transferring saturation percentage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the normal fasting serum transferring saturation percentage level ranges from 16% to 45%. Fasting serum transferrin saturation values greater than 45% are suggestive for iron overload disease.