anemia of chronic disease - octpus

[ArchivalUser]

Hey folks,
what account for the high increase in ferritin in anemia of chronic disease?

[ArchivalUser]

ferritin is an acute phase reactant so it is increased in inflammatory conditions
so,in ACD it is elevated and can't be used as an index of Fe stores...

[ArchivalUser]

Thank you mash

[ArchivalUser]

Ferritin is a storage form of Fe and in ACD there is plenty of Fe in stored form. There is defect in "utilization" of stored Fe which leads to increased level of Ferritin. "Body has a lot of STORED Fe, it just can't use it for Heme synthesis".

[ArchivalUser]

u r right dralex that Fe is trapped in the macrophages so, cant be utilized fr heme synthesis..
Ferritin being the storage form is normal or increased but its an acute phase reactant too.
so, in ACD even if the Fe stores are not sufficient , ferritin is high..
(that is why it is not used as an index of Fe stores in ACD )

[ArchivalUser]

Both of you guys are correct. Ferritin is an acute phase reactant so you would expect it to go up in diseases that cause chronic inflammation.
At the same time, with ACD, you have enough iron but they're trapped in the macrophages and not utilized and that increases the ferritin level and decreases the serum iron level.

[ArchivalUser]

The catch phrase is 'macrophage' Because of the on-going chronic process, ferritin is trapped in the macrophages, thereby prohibiting its utilization in the periphery.
I thank all that contributed.