[NPInfo] Ferritin levels

[Margaret A. Fitzgerald, DNP, NP-C, APRN, BC, FAANP, CSP]

Hello- Re: NL to high Fe with low ferritin. Since serum iron is essentially a drug level measurement, ingestion of any iron supplement within 24 hours of the test creates a normal or even increased level in the presence of an iron deficiency anemia. Treat the low ferritin in this case.
 
When ferritin is high but there is no anemia: Recall that ferritin can also be a non specific measure of inflammation, similar to CRP or ESR. Look an underlying inflammation or liver disease as the case for this elevation. 
Dr. Margaret A. Fitzgerald, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C, FAANP, CSP President, Fitzgerald Health Education Associates, Inc. 85 Flagship Drive North Andover, MA 01845-6154 978.794.8366 FHEA website www.fhea.com FHEA on line store www.fhea.biz peg at fhea.com
FNP, Adjunct Faculty, Family Practice Residency Greater Lawrence (MA) Family Health Center, Inc.

> From: GAAdams at aol.com> Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2008 14:24:59 -0500> To: npinfo at nurse.net> Subject: [NPInfo] Ferritin levels> > This question is for Peg or for anyone with hematology expertise.> I am confused with what to do for patients with low ferritin levels yet ok > to high Fe levels. What can you do to boost their stores? Also what about > those that have the opposite high ferritin levels greater than 200 or maybe > even 300+ with normal or even low Fe levels? TIA> Gaylene > > > > **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. > (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp003000000025> 48)> _______________________________________________> NPInfo mailing list> NPInfo at nurse.net> http://lists.nurse.net/mailman/listinfo/npinfo> *****************************> >