Ferritin vs. Hemoglobin — What's the Difference?

A molecule found in various body tissues including the liver and spleen.

A vital component in diagnosing anemia through blood tests.

A factor in preventing iron-deficiency anemia by storing iron.

Present in red blood cells, facilitating oxygen transport.

An indicator of the total iron reserves in the body.

Essential for removing carbon dioxide from tissues.

A protein responsible for iron storage in cells.

A protein that transports oxygen throughout the body.

Can reflect iron status when measured in blood tests.

Composed of iron, it gives red blood cells their color.

Ferritin is a universal intracellular protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled fashion. The protein is produced by almost all living organisms, including archaea, bacteria, algae, higher plants, and animals.

Hemoglobin, or haemoglobin (spelling differences) (from Greek αἷμα, haîma 'blood' + Latin globus 'ball, sphere' + -in) (), abbreviated Hb or Hgb, is the iron-containing oxygen-transport metalloprotein in the red blood cells (erythrocytes) of almost all vertebrates (the exception being the fish family Channichthyidae) as well as the tissues of some invertebrates. Hemoglobin in blood carries oxygen from the lungs or gills to the rest of the body (i.e.

An iron-containing protein complex, found principally in the intestinal mucosa, spleen, and liver, that functions as the primary form of iron storage in the body.

The protein in the red blood cells of vertebrates that carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues and that consists of four polypeptide subunits, each of which is bound to an iron-containing heme molecule.

(protein) Any of a family of iron-carrying globular protein complexes consisting of 24 protein subunits.

(American spelling) The iron-containing substance in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body; it consists of a protein (globulin), and haem (a porphyrin ring with an atom of iron at its centre).

A protein containing 20% iron that is found in the intestines and liver and spleen; it is one of the chief forms in which iron is stored in the body

The normal coloring matter of the red blood corpuscles of vertebrate animals. It is composed of hematin and globulin, and is also called hæmatoglobulin. In arterial blood, it is always combined with oxygen, and is then called oxyhemoglobin. It crystallizes under different forms from different animals, and when crystallized, is called hæmatocrystallin. See Blood crystal, under Blood.

A hemoprotein composed of globin and heme that gives red blood cells their characteristic color; function primarily to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues;

Predominantly, yes. Hemoglobin is primarily found in red blood cells.

Hemoglobin transports oxygen in the blood and aids in removing carbon dioxide.

Persistently low hemoglobin, or anemia, requires medical attention.

Yes, elevated ferritin may suggest harmful iron overload.

No, ferritin primarily stores iron and does not transport oxygen.

No, hemoglobin uses iron to bind oxygen but doesn’t store it.

Ferritin is in the liver, spleen, skeletal muscles, and bone marrow.

Ferritin stores iron in cells and indicates body iron reserves.

Yes, low ferritin levels can indicate iron-deficiency anemia.

Hemoglobin binds oxygen in the lungs and releases it in tissues.

Yes, ferritin levels can also reflect inflammation or liver disease.

Hemoglobin is vital for transporting oxygen and maintaining pH balance.

Yes, both can be assessed in a comprehensive blood test.

High hemoglobin may suggest conditions like polycythemia.

Ferritin is typically checked through a blood test.