Iron and ferritin

[alibob63]

What's the difference between iron and ferritin?

[humanbean]

Ferritin is like a store cupboard that holds nothing but iron. When iron is needed by the body it is released by the ferritin. When iron is not needed by the body it is returned to storage.

Each molecule of ferritin stores about 4500 atoms of iron.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Very basically (because my brain isn't working very well at the moment), ferritin is your body's iron store, it's stored in the cells - think of it as the pantry. When your tissues and blood need iron, it's released from the pantry. We need to keep the pantry stocked so eating iron rich foods, or taking a supplement if necessary, restocks the pantry.

I'm sure someone else will have a much better way of explaining it.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to SeasideSusie]

PS - see, humanbean is so much better explaining iron than me

[humanbean in reply to SeasideSusie]

Both explanations are as good as each other!

[alibob63]

Thanks guys. I get it! x

[alibob63]

Just seen Dr and I'm getting bloods done as recommended. They can't do fT3 or 24hr saliva though, but it's a start. Thanks again for all your help. This forum has been an absolute godsend for me xxx