Ferritin, serum or plasma

Lab area

Clinical Biochemistry - General

Method and equipment

Equipment : Roche Cobas Pro e801

Method : Sandwich principle. Total duration of assay: 18 minutes.
▪ 1st incubation: 6 µL of sample, a biotinylated monoclonal ferritin‑specific antibody, and a monoclonal ferritin‑specific antibody labeled with a ruthenium complexa) form a sandwich complex.
▪ 2nd incubation: After addition of streptavidin-coated microparticles, the complex becomes bound to the solid phase via interaction of biotin and streptavidin.

The reaction mixture is aspirated into the measuring cell where the microparticles are magnetically captured onto the surface of the electrode. Unbound substances are then removed with ProCell II M. Application of a voltage to the electrode then induces chemiluminescent emission which is measured by a photomultiplier.
▪ Results are determined via a calibration curve which is instrumentspecifically generated by 2‑point calibration and a master curve provided via the cobas link.

Expected turn-around time

STAT/Urgent: 4 Hours Routine: 24 Hours

Specimen type

Serum, Plasma Lithium Heparin

Specimen requirements

150 uL

Storage and transportation

Frozen

Shipping information

The Hospital for Sick Children

Rapid Response Laboratory

555 University Avenue, Room 3642

Toronto, ON

Canada

M5G 1X8

Phone: 416-813-7200

Toll Free: 1-855-381-3212

Hours: 7 days/week, 24 hours/day

Requisition

Ferritin, serum or plasma - requisition

Background and clinical significance

Ferritin is a high-molecular weight iron-containing protein that functions in the body as an iron storage compound. Measuring serum ferritin have significantly advanced the ability to detect iron deficiency and overload. Since iron deficiency is present before the onset of anemia, detection of an iron depleted state is important for the control of nutritional anemia. The clinical assessment of iron stores has historically relied on the determination of serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and percent transferrin (ratio of serum iron and TIBC) or direct examination of bone marrow.