Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside cells and releases it when the body needs it. A blood test for ferritin is one of the main ways doctors measure how much iron is stored in the body. Ferritin levels can also rise when there is inflammation, infection, or certain cancers, so the result has to be interpreted in context.
Origin
The name comes from the Latin ferrum, meaning iron. Ferritin was first isolated from horse spleen in 1937 by French scientist Vilém Laufberger, who recognized it as the body's main iron-storage protein.
Significance in Asbestos Context
Ferritin is relevant in asbestos-related disease in two ways. First, asbestos fibers in the lung become coated with an iron-protein layer to form what pathologists call asbestos bodies (or ferruginous bodies); ferritin is part of that iron coating, and its presence helps confirm prior asbestos exposure on biopsy or autopsy. Second, ferritin in the blood often runs high in people with mesothelioma or lung cancer because these illnesses cause chronic inflammation, and some treating physicians follow it alongside other markers. A high ferritin on its own is not diagnostic, but patients should understand why it appears in their lab reports and pathology notes. It can both support an exposure history and reflect disease activity.
Example Sentence
The pathology report described iron- and ferritin-coated fibers in the lung tissue, which the doctor explained were classic asbestos bodies confirming past exposure.
Related Terms
Asbestos Body, Ferruginous Body, Inflammation, Tumor Markers, Mesothelin, Biopsy
Notes
- Ask your doctor whether your ferritin level reflects iron stores, inflammation from your disease, or both. The interpretation changes management.
- If you have a pathology report mentioning "ferruginous bodies" or "iron-coated fibers," keep a copy; this can be important evidence of asbestos exposure in a legal claim.
- Ferritin alone is not a diagnostic test for mesothelioma; ask about validated markers such as mesothelin (SMRP) if tumor markers are being discussed.
- Very high ferritin levels can also be caused by liver disease, iron overload, or other inflammatory conditions, so ask your physician to explain the cause in your specific case.
In the research library
48 studies in our medical research library mention Ferritin in the title or abstract. Among the most cited:
- Mobilization of iron from urban particulates leads to generation of reactive oxygen species in vitro and induction of ferritin synthesis in human lung epithelial cellsK.R. Smith, A.E. Aust, 1997 · Chemical Research in Toxicology · cited 81 times
- Ferroptosis-dependent extracellular vesicles from macrophage contribute to asbestos-induced mesothelial carcinogenesis through loading ferritinF. Ito, K. Kato, I. Yanatori, et al, 2021 · Redox Biology · cited 77 times
- Potential role of ferritin heavy chain in oxidative stress and apoptosis in human mesothelial and mesothelioma cells: implications for asbestos-induced oncogenesisW. Aung, S. Hasegawa, T. Furukawa, et al, 2007 · Carcinogenesis · cited 53 times
- Induction of ferritin synthesis in human lung epithelial cells treated with crocidolite asbestosR. Fang, A.E. Aust, 1997 · Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics · cited 51 times
- Ferritin adsorption on amosite fibers: possible implications in the formation and toxicity of asbestos bodiesB. Fubini, F. Barceló, C. Otero Areán, 1997 · Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health · cited 22 times
The journals that publish most on it: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part a (5), Inhalation Toxicology (3), Environmental Research (3).
Category: Biological & Molecular Mechanisms · All Lexicon terms A–Z
This page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every asbestos case turns on its own facts, exposure history, diagnosis, deadlines, available evidence, and applicable law. Reviewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, call 833-4-ASBESTOS for a free case review.