Special Precautions/Comments:

Additional Information:

Iron is measured in the investigation of iron deficiency or iron excess. It is performed alongside ferritin (iron storage protein) and transferrin (iron binding protein). Iron and transferrin can be used to calculate the transferrin saturation. 

Transferrin saturation can be increased in conditions with increased red blood cell destruction (e.g. haemolytic anaemia), defective iron storage (e.g. pernicious anaemia) and increased absorption (e.g. haemochromatosis and haemosiderosis). It can also be increased in iron overdose. 

Serum iron does not normally decrease until ferritin stores have been depleted. Low levels are associated with iron deficiency. They should be interpreted in conjunction with a full blood count (FBC) in the investigation of iron deficiency anaemia.  Low levels can be caused by insufficient intake, malabsorption, increased loss (e.g. chronic blood loss and menstruation), inflammation and malignancy.