CSSD Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Resource

Ferritin is an essential protein that serves as a crucial iron storage molecule in the body. Its role in relation to inflammation is particularly significant, as during inflammatory responses, the body undergoes various adaptive changes. One of these changes includes the increased production of acute-phase proteins, which serve to help the body respond to inflammation and infection.

When there is an inflammatory process occurring, the liver releases more ferritin, which acts as an acute-phase protein that increases with inflammation. This increase is part of the body's effort to sequester iron and limit the availability of this essential nutrient to pathogens that thrive on it. Elevated ferritin levels can therefore serve as a marker of inflammation, helping healthcare professionals gauge the body’s response to inflammatory stimuli.

Other options suggest that ferritin would either decrease, remain unaffected, or correlate with body fat percentage, which does not accurately reflect the biochemical and physiological responses associated with inflammation. In summary, understanding ferritin's role in inflammation highlights its dual function as a storage protein for iron and as a mediator of the body's inflammatory response.