[Normal range and significance of serum ferritin; variations with age and sex (author's transl)]

Iron is necessary for every of organic life. The depot forms of the iron are Haemosiderin and Ferritin. Comparisons of the serum ferritin with the body iron contents measured through quantitative phlebotomy, intestinal iron absorption and bone marrow puncture showed extremely significant correlations. Since there are often lower serum iron levels to be found in elderly persons and the hypoferric anemia is the most important cause of it, the question of the valency for the serum ferritin analysis arises. Two groups of young and old persons were examined. Their age ranged between 20 and 30 as well as 60 and 90 years. It showed an increase of the serum ferritin level depending on the age. There are also sexual distinctions. The added immunoglobulin determination in older patients does not lead to a better interpretation of the investigated serum ferritin value. The analysis of the serum ferritin is of great importance in young patients as well as for some illnesses, but becomes problematic in old patients because of the increasing number of disturbing factors.