COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 132
inflammation or increased red blood cell breakdown. Since ferritin
rises in response to both iron storage and immune stress, it can be
a helpful marker in understanding the severity of the illness.
When to run this test:
● To help identify iron deficiency anemia
● To track progress during iron deficiency treatment
● To observe and manage potential iron overload conditions
Range
Units - Male
Units - Female
Conventional
12 - 400 ng/ml
10 - 263 ng/ml
Optimal / Functional 30 - 236 ng/ml
20 - 130 ng/ml
Alarm
< 8 or > 500 ng/ml
< 8 or > 500 ng/ml
*Female ranges may vary depending on whether or not they have
reached menopause.
Transferrin Saturation
Transferrin saturation (TSAT), also known as iron saturation, shows
what percentage of transferrin4the protein that carries iron4is
bound to iron. When protein intake is low or liver function is
compromised, TSAT levels can drop. It's a helpful marker not just for
iron status but for overall nutritional health. In typical cases of iron
deficiency, TSAT is low, often paired with low serum iron and a high
TIBC.
When to run this test:
● To determine the underlying cause of anemia and
● To assess and monitor iron deficiency anemia throughout
treatment.
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