Which statement about ferritin in iron deficiency anemia is true?

Which statement about ferritin in iron deficiency anemia is true?

• A. Ferritin is elevated
• B. Ferritin is decreased
• C. Ferritin is unchanged
• D. Ferritin fluctuates with meals

Answer: (B)

Ferritin reflects stored iron in the body. In iron deficiency, these stores are depleted, so ferritin levels fall. This makes a decreased ferritin level the most reliable indicator of iron deficiency, often appearing before drops in hemoglobin. Keep in mind ferritin can be normal or high if inflammation or infection is present, since it acts as an acute-phase reactant; however, without inflammatory conditions, iron deficiency typically shows a low ferritin. The statements suggesting ferritin is elevated, unchanged, or fluctuates with meals do not fit the pattern of iron deficiency without inflammatory influence.

Ferritin reflects stored iron in the body. In iron deficiency, these stores are depleted, so ferritin levels fall. This makes a decreased ferritin level the most reliable indicator of iron deficiency, often appearing before drops in hemoglobin. Keep in mind ferritin can be normal or high if inflammation or infection is present, since it acts as an acute-phase reactant; however, without inflammatory conditions, iron deficiency typically shows a low ferritin. The statements suggesting ferritin is elevated, unchanged, or fluctuates with meals do not fit the pattern of iron deficiency without inflammatory influence.