Iron studies

A chart to aid in the interpretation of iron studies. These are set of blood tests which may include ferritin, serum iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation and TIBC.

Serum iron

Means ferric ions Fe3+ bound to serum transferrin Only 0.1 % of total body iron is bound to transferrin at any one time Little value if tested on its own as levels may fluctuate through the day. Serum iron would be decreased in Genuine iron deficiency Inadequate Fe absorption Chronic blood loss Pregnancy 3 rd trimester Chronic illnesses like SLE , Rh arthritis.

Serum iron increased in - Haemolysis Iron overdose Lead toxicity Hepatic necrosis Haemochromatosis

Transferrin

Major iron binding protein - carries iron from the liver to the bone marrow A beta globulin which is also an acute phase protein Synthesized in liver and regulates iron absorption Transferrin increases in iron deficiency to maximise the utilsation of available iron Also known as siderophilin

Transferrin reduced in chronic infections microcytic anaemia as a result of chronic diseases protein deficiency liver damage haemochromatosis kidney injury - loss of transferrin in urine malignancy atransferrinemia - genetic mutation

Transferrin elevated in Iron deficiency anaemia Pregnancy

Transferrin saturation

Percentage of transferrin and other iron binding...