Best indicator of iron deficiency
Serum iron
Serum ferritin
TIBC
Transferrin
In iron deficiency anemia, ferritin content is reduced. When iron is given in anemia, the apoferritin production is induced within a few hours. vii. Estimation of ferritin in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is of prognostic significance since ferritin level less than 100 microgram/dl indicates iron deficiency. Transferrin saturation less than 20% and ferritin between 100 and 200 microgram/dl is suggestive of functional deficiency. In order to treat the anemia in CKD, the iron stores should be adequate and this is denoted by serial ferritin estimations in a patient on treatment to check the efficacy of treatment with recombinant erythropoietinRef: DM Vasudevan, page no: 425
nutrition and digestion