Question

What parameters are used for laboratory assessment of iron deficiency? Why?

Answer 1

Iron deficiency anemia is due to low iron stores in body .

Parameters used for laboratory assessment of iron deficiency are

1.Determining the total iron binding capacity : A total iron binding capacity (TIBC) test is a laboratory test to find the level of iron in bloodstream.

2.Determining Transferrin level : Transferrin  is a protein in the blood that binds to iron and transports it throughout the body.So measuring it helps in diagnosing iron deficiency.

3.Determining serum ferritin: Ferritin helps in finding the level of iron stores in the body.

4.Determination of the reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) : It provides an early measure of iron deficiency. A reticulocyte haemoglobin equivalent (Ret‐He) value <25 pg suggests iron deficiency

5. Measuring serum iron , Hemoglobin, Mean corpuscular volume, mean cell hemoglobin also finds ut iron deficiency

6.. Measuring red cell zinc protoporphyrin concentration is less sensitive to find out acute loss of iron.

Haemoglobin, zinc protoporphyrin, mean cell volume, soluble transferrin receptor and serum ferritin are used for laboratory assessment .Haemoglobin is a measure of anaemia, zinc protoporphyrin measurement gives the amount of shortage in the supply of iron, mean cell volume provides the information about any abnormalities in size of RBC, either too large (macrocytic anaemia) or too small (microcytic anaemia),  soluble transferrin receptor provides amount of production and destruction of RBCalong the demand for iron and serum ferritin concentration is an important indicator of body iron stores.The synthesis of ferritin is occurs by any recent episode of infection which may be a cause for  iron deficiency . Some clinical studies indicate that soluble transferrin receptors are not more affected by iinfection like serum ferritin. CDC recommends measuring the concentration of haemoglobin, and serum ferritin to rule out iron deficiency anemia.