Tests for iron deficiency
| Test for iron deficiency . | Limitations . |
|---|---|
| Mean corpuscular volume | Decreases late in iron deficiency, confounded by liver disease, alcohol use, etc |
| Serum iron | Decreased in inflammation, daily variation, affected by diet |
| Total iron binding capacity | Not sensitive as in the setting of iron deficiency can be decreased by inflammation and malnourishment |
| Iron saturation | Low in inflammation |
| Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin | Affected by inflammation |
| Red cell distribution width | Not specific for iron deficiency |
| CHr (Ret-He) | Can also be abnormal in inflammation or thalassemia |
| Ferritin | Best performing test |
| Test for iron deficiency . | Limitations . |
|---|---|
| Mean corpuscular volume | Decreases late in iron deficiency, confounded by liver disease, alcohol use, etc |
| Serum iron | Decreased in inflammation, daily variation, affected by diet |
| Total iron binding capacity | Not sensitive as in the setting of iron deficiency can be decreased by inflammation and malnourishment |
| Iron saturation | Low in inflammation |
| Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin | Affected by inflammation |
| Red cell distribution width | Not specific for iron deficiency |
| CHr (Ret-He) | Can also be abnormal in inflammation or thalassemia |
| Ferritin | Best performing test |