Iron Study Interpretation
Increases in serum iron level are associated with the following [1, 2, 3, 4] :
-
Idiopathic hemochromatosis
-
Liver necrosis (viral hepatitis)
-
Hemosiderosis caused by excessive iron intake (eg, multiple transfusions, excess iron administration)
-
Acute iron poisoning (children)
-
Thalassemia
-
Vitamin B6 deficiency
-
Estrogens
-
Ethanol
-
Oral contraceptive
Decreases in the serum iron level are associated with the following [2, 3, 4, 5] :
-
Iron deficiency
-
Chronic renal failure
-
Many infections
-
Active hematopoiesis
-
Remission of pernicious anemia
-
Malignancy (carcinoma)
-
Postoperative state
-
Kwashiorkor
Table 1. Microcytic Anemias (Open Table in a new window)
|
Ferritin |
Serum Iron |
Total Iron Binding Capacity |
Iron deficiency anemia |
Low |
Low |
High |
Anemia of chronic disease |
High |
Low |
Low |
Sideroblastic anemia |
High |
High |
Normal |
Thalassemia |
Normal |
Normal |
Normal |