Iron Study Interpretation 

Increases in serum iron level are associated with the following:[1, 2, 3]

• Idiopathic hemochromatosis

• Liver necrosis (viral hepatitis)

• Hemosiderosis caused by excessive iron intake (eg, multiple transfusions, excess iron administration)

• Acute iron poisoning (children)

• Hemolytic anemia

• Pernicious anemia

• Aplastic or hypoplastic anemia

• Lead poisoning

• Thalassemia

• Vitamin B6 deficiency

• Estrogens

• Ethanol

• Oral contraceptive

Decreases in the serum iron level are associated with the following:[1, 2, 3]

• Iron deficiency anemia

• Nephrotic syndrome(loss of iron-binding proteins)

• Iron deficiency

• Chronic renal failure

• Many infections

• Active hematopoiesis

• Remission of pernicious anemia

• Hypothyroidism

• Malignancy (carcinoma)

• Postoperative state

• Kwashiorkor

Table 1. Microcytic Anemias (Open Table in a new window)