Investigation and management of a raised serum ferritin

• Published in: British journal of haematology Vol. 181; no. 3; pp. 331 - 340
• Main Authors: Cullis, Jonathan O., Fitzsimons, Edward J., Griffiths, William JH, Tsochatzis, Emmanouil, Thomas, D. Wayne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.05.2018
• Subjects: Ferritin; Ferritins - blood; Hematology; Humans; hyperferritinaemia; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - therapy; Iron; iron metabolism; Iron Overload - blood; Iron Overload - therapy; Kidney Diseases - blood; Kidney Diseases - therapy; Liver diseases; Liver Diseases - blood; Liver Diseases - therapy; Malignancy; Management; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - blood; Metabolic Syndrome - therapy; Neoplasm Proteins - blood; Neoplasms - blood; Neoplasms - therapy; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Transferrins; iron metabolism; hyperferritinaemia; ferritin
• ISSN: 0007-1048; 1365-2141; 1365-2141
• DOI: 10.1111/bjh.15166

Summary Serum ferritin level is one of the most commonly requested investigations in both primary and secondary care. Whilst low serum ferritin levels invariably indicate reduced iron stores, raised serum ferritin levels can be due to multiple different aetiologies, including iron overload, inflammation, liver or renal disease, malignancy, and the recently described metabolic syndrome. A key test in the further investigation of an unexpected raised serum ferritin is the serum transferrin saturation. This guideline reviews the investigation and management of a raised serum ferritin level. The investigation and management of genetic haemochromatosis is not dealt with however and is the subject of a separate guideline.