disorders of nutrition
Iron Deficiency
Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency
Blood tests Occasionally bone marrow examination Iron deficiency is diagnosed based on symptoms and blood test results. Results include a low level of hemoglobin (which contains iron), a low hematocrit (the percentage of blood volume that is red blood cells), and a low number of red blood cells. These results indicate anemia. However, doctors need more information to distinguish Iron Deficiency Anemia from other causes of Blood tests may also include measurement of the following: Transferrin:Transferrin is the protein that carries iron in blood when iron is not inside red blood cells. If the percentage of iron in transferrin is less than 10%, iron deficiency is likely. Ferritin:Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. Iron deficiency is confirmed if the ferritin level is low. However, the ferritin level may be normal or high when iron deficiency is present if people have inflammation, an infection, cancer, or liver damage. Occasionally, a Bone Marrow Examination is needed to make the diagnosis. A sample of bone marrow cells is removed, usually from the hipbone, through a needle and examined under a microscope to determine the iron content. 