ferritin
Noun: A globular protein complex that serves as the primary intracellular iron-storage protein in humans and many other living organisms. It is found in high concentrations in the liver, spleen, and intestinal cells, where it stores iron in a non-toxic, soluble, and bioavailable form.
Ferritin is a key biomarker measured in blood tests to assess the body's iron stores. * A low serum ferritin level typically indicates iron deficiency. * The liver synthesizes ferritin to safely sequester excess iron. * Researchers study ferritin's structure to understand iron metabolism.
- Ferritin saturation: A calculated percentage representing the amount of iron bound to ferritin and other proteins, used in diagnosing iron overload disorders.
- Serum ferritin: The concentration of ferritin circulating in the blood plasma, which directly correlates with total body iron stores.
- Apoferritin: The hollow protein shell of ferritin without the iron core.
- Hyperferritinemia (n): An abnormally high level of ferritin in the blood.
- Hypoferritinemia (n): An abnormally low level of ferritin in the blood.
- Iron-storage protein
- Iron-binding protein (in the specific context of storage)
The word "ferritin" has a single, specific meaning in biochemistry and medicine, referring exclusively to this iron-storage protein complex. It does not have other common definitions.
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a protein containing 20% iron that is found in the intestines and liver and spleen; it is one of the chief forms in which iron is stored in the body
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