Ferritin determination in elderly people by enzyme immunoassay.

Iron is associated with important biological processes: Cellular and molecular oxidation, muscle contraction and infection resistance. Iron stores can be estimated by Ferritin (FTN) determination. FTN quantitation can be used in the early diagnosis of ferropenic anemia (precedes 3-6 months the clinical appearance of anemia) in pregnant women, children and elderly people. FTN serum levels are associated with high incidence diseases as malignant tumors and hepatopathies. Serum FTN concentration is in the range of ng/ml. So, high sensitivity techniques with radioactive, enzymatic, fluorescent or luminescent tracers are needed for FTN quantitation. An affinity antibody enzyme labelled procedure with a 2.5-500 ng/ml range, compatible with various plastic solid supports was developed to study Ferritinemia in elderly persons. Ferritinemia was found to be less than 20 ng/ml in 12% institutionalized elderly persons.