Iron Lab Test

Latest Edit: Hector 2014-03-24 (EDT)

See Also	Lab Tests

As much as 70% of the body's iron is found in the hemoglobin of the RBCs. The remaining 30% is stored in the form of ferritin and hemosiderin. Abnormal levels of iron are indicative of diseases such as iron deficiency anemia and hemochromatosis. Iron is supplied by the diet, where 10% of the ingested iron is absorbed in the small intestine and transported to the plasma. There, it is bound to a globulin protein called transferrin and carried to the bone marrow for incorporation into hemoglobin.,

Patient Preparation

• Patient should fast 12 hours before the blood test
• Water is permitted

• Factors which can cause increased levels:

• Recent blood transfusions, recent ingestion of a meal containing high iron content, hemolytic diseases
• Drugs: chloramphenicol, dextran, estrogens, ethanol, iron preparations, methyldopa, and oral contraceptives

• Factors which can cause decreased levels:

• None noted
• Drugs: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), cholestyramine, chloramphenicol, colchicine, deferoxamine, methicillin, and testosterone.

Clinical Implications

High levels indicate:

• Hemosiderosis or hemochromatosis
• Iron poisoning or iron overload
• Viral infection
• Hemolytic anemia
• Massive blood transfusions
• Liver dysfunction
• Hepatitis or hepatic necrosis
• Lead toxicity

Low levels indicate:

• Insufficient dietary iron
• Chronic blood loss
• Inadequate intestinal absorption of iron
• Pregnancy (late)
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Neoplasia
• Hypochlorhydria

Associated Tests

• Ferritin, TIBC, UIBC, Transferrin, Zinc protoporphyrin, CBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit