What do D-dimer values and ferritin indicate about the condition of the body?

by Andreas

What do D-dimer values and ferritin indicate about the condition of the body?

It is true that increased D-dimer and ferritin levels have been observed in some COVID-19 patients. However, these increases are not specific for the presence of spike proteins of the virus, but rather reflect a reaction of the body to the infection, especially in the context of inflammatory processes and coagulation disorders:

• Elevated D-dimer levels may indicate increased clotting activity and the breakdown of blood clots, which is more common in severe COVID-19 cases with complications such as thrombosis.
• Elevated ferritin levels can be interpreted as part of the body's acute inflammatory response to the infection.

However, these laboratory values are part of a broader clinical picture and must be considered in the context of other clinical information. They are not specific to COVID-19 and may also be elevated in a number of other medical conditions.

D-dimers and ferritin are essential biomarkers that provide valuable information about the body's health status and help identify various medical conditions:

D-Dimer

D-dimers are tiny protein fragments in the blood that form when a blood clot is broken down in the body. Elevated D-dimer levels can indicate a variety of medical conditions:

• Thrombosis: An increased D-dimer value can be a clear sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or the presence of a pulmonary embolism, both of which represent serious health risks.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): This is a complex condition where blood clots form throughout the body while excessive bleeding occurs simultaneously, which can lead to severe complications.
• Other medical conditions: A range of other conditions, including infections, liver diseases, pregnancy, and certain types of cancer, can also lead to increased D-dimer levels.

Ferritin

Ferritin is an important protein in the body that serves as a storage form of iron, playing a crucial role in iron metabolism. Measuring the ferritin level in the blood provides valuable insights into the body's iron stores. Deviations in ferritin levels can indicate various health conditions:

• Iron deficiency anemia: Low ferritin levels are often a clear sign of insufficient iron stores in the body, which can lead to anemia and impair oxygen delivery to tissues.
• Inflammatory conditions and infections: Ferritin can rise as an acute-phase protein during inflammation or infections, indicating an immune response in the body.
• Iron overload: High ferritin levels can indicate iron overload, such as that seen in hemochromatosis, which can lead to long-term organ damage if untreated.

Overall, both D-dimer and ferritin are extremely helpful markers for identifying or ruling out specific health conditions. However, it is crucial that these values are always interpreted in the context of other clinical findings and tests to enable accurate diagnosis.

We have to understand that Ferritin is more cationic while Hemoglobin is more anionic

But the statement that ferritin is more cationic while hemoglobin is more anionic needs clarification.

• Ferritin: This protein stores iron in a soluble and non-toxic form. It generally has a net positive charge (cationic) at physiological pH due to the presence of more basic amino acids (like lysine and arginine) on its surface, which can attract negatively charged species.
• Hemoglobin: This is a protein in red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport. It typically has a net negative charge (anionic) at physiological pH because it contains acidic amino acids (like glutamic acid and aspartic acid), which can donate protons and thus acquire a negative charge.

In summary, ferritin tends to have a positive charge while hemoglobin has a negative charge at physiological pH.

Ferritin reference values

Normal ferritin levels also vary by laboratory, age and gender. Here are general reference values:

• Men: 20-500 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
• Women: 10-200 µg/L

Low levels may indicate iron deficiency, while high levels may indicate iron overload or inflammation in the body.

Reference values for D-dimer

The reference values for D-dimer can vary depending on the testing method used and the laboratory conducting the test. Generally, a value of less than 0.5 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 500 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) is considered normal. Values above this threshold may indicate the presence of blood clots or other medical conditions that require further diagnostic investigations and attention.