SmarTest Ferritin

Quantitative determination of ferritin (iron storage protein)

Preventis SmarTest® Ferritin Home is a rapid test for the quantitative immunological determination of the iron storage protein Ferritin in capillary blood. This value aids in diagnosis of absolute or relative (functional) iron deficiency or overload. The manual test system consists of an antibodybased strip test, a so-called lateral flow test, including a smartphone app developed for test evaluation.


Medical background

Iron is needed for the formation of the red blood pigment hemoglobin, however, in its free form it is toxic to the body. The free iron molecules are bound by the protein ferritin and are thereby stored. Ferritin is present in every cell of the body and is found predominantly in the liver, spleen and bone marrow.
The ferritin content in the blood serves as a measurement for the size of the body iron stores and can indicate an oversupply or deficiency. Ferritin is the best marker for detecting iron deficiency at an early stage.
Regular monitoring of the ferritin status is especially recommended for people who are susceptible to iron deficiency or excess. This includes vegans/vegetarians, people with celiac disease, Crohn‘s disease, iron storage disease or liver disease, women with heavy menstrual periods, pregnant women, and regular blood donors or athletes. Testing of iron status is also recommended in case of symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, reduced ability to perform and concentrate, headache, pallor or weight loss. Ferritin levels may be elevated in cases of acute or chronic inflammation in the body or chronic liver disease. During pregnancy and lactation, the iron requirement is increased.