

Low ferritin is diagnostic of IDA (but a normal/high does not exclude IDA).Do not assume microcytic anaemias are IDA – check ferritin levels.Do a fasting morning sample – serum iron has diurnal variation and may rise with food ingestion.Practicalities for requesting iron studies High TSAT is good to pickup iron overload but low is not particularly sensitive to iron deficiency as things such as pregnancy, OCP use and chronic illness can lower TSAT even in the absence of iron deficiency. Transferrin saturation is the proportion of transferrin occupied by iron. This test measures all serum iron: both the small amount of soluble ionised ferric iron (Fe 3+) and the transferrin-associated ferric ion. Serum iron is the level of iron bound to transferrin. It increases to maximise use of iron and decreases if iron overload. Transferrin is the main iron transport protein. Clinical scenarios are used to highlight how the tests can be used in different clinical situations. It is an acute phase protein so can be falsely elevated or normal. This article outlines the physiology of iron metabolism and discusses laboratory aspects of performing iron studies, including factors influencing interpretation. In most cases, adult patients require a cumulative dose of elemental iron of at least 1 g.Ferritin is the storage form of iron. If iron studies suggest or confirm Anemia of chronic disease/anemia of inflammation from iron deficiency anemia by proper interpretation of standard iron studies including iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation ( TSAT ), and ferritin. The concentration of iron in the sample is measured by the change in the absorbance of light. The iron then forms a complex with FerroZine Iron Reagent. Then the iron is reduced to its ferrous form by using hydroxylamine and thioglycolate. Total iron deficit (mg) = Weight in kg x (Target Hb - Actual Hb in g/dL) x 2.4 + Iron stores Interpretation of iron studies Iron plays a vital role in the human body in oxygen transport, mitochondrial oxidative energy production, inactivation of drugs and toxins, and DNA synthesis (Munoz et al, 2011). The iron (ferric form) bound to transferrin is freed by adding acetic acid. 2 Academic Unit of Surgery, School of Medicine.
#Iron studies interpretation how to
In case a pediatric patient with a weight below 35 kg is assessed, iron stores are calculated as 15 mg iron for each kg. This GPnotebook Shortcut summarises what iron studies comprise and tips on requesting them, as well as how to interpret abnormal tests including ferritin. 1 Department of Biochemistry, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK. ■ Iron stores are input as default 500 mg on the assumption that the patient weight is greater or equal to 35 kg (77 lbs). See if treatments for iron deficiency (low iron. This is a rare genetic disorder that causes too much iron to build up in the body. Iron is a key component of haemoglobin in red blood cells, myoglobin in muscle, and many metalloproteins and enzymes.

They include tests for serum ferritin, iron, transferrin, or total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation. Check if your iron levels are too high, which could be a sign of hemochromatosis. Conventional laboratory tests of iron status are often referred to as iron studies. Transferrin test directly measures the level of. ■ A target haemoglobin value is also input so iron deficit can be determined according to a specified individual target. Iron tests are most often used to: Check if your iron levels are too low, a sign of anemia. Iron studies interpretation Serum iron test measures the level of iron in the liquid portion of the blood. ■ Patient’s measured hemoglobin can be input in g/dL or mmol/L.

Although the original formula requires the weight in kilograms, values input in lbs are transformed. ■ The patient’s weight is used in the Ganzoni equation and also when establishing the iron stores. There are four variables, all patient parameters, required in the iron deficiency calculator:
