Useful For

Iron (non-heme) measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as iron deficiency anemia, hemochromatosis (a disease associated with widespread deposit in the tissue of the two iron-containing pigments, hemosiderin and hemofuscin, and characterized by pigmentation of the skin), and chronic renal disease. Iron determinations are performed for the diagnosis and monitoring of microcytic anemia (e.g. due to iron metabolism disorders and hemoglobinopathy), macrocytic anemia (e.g. due to vitamin B12 deficiency, folic acid deficiency and drug‑induced metabolic disorders of unknown origin) as well as normocytic anemias such as renal anemia (erythropoetin deficiency), hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinopathy, bone marrow disease and toxic bone marrow damage.

The serum TIBC varies in disorders of iron metabolism. In iron‑deficiency anemia the TIBC is elevated and the transferrin saturation is lowered to 15 % or less. Low serum iron associated with low TIBC is characteristic of the anemia of chronic disorders, malignant tumors, and infections.