Iron (Fe) Lab Values

Objective:

Determine the significance and clinical use of iron levels in clinical practice

Lab Test Name:

Iron – Fe

Description:

Measures the amount of Fe in the bloodstream. 

Evaluates: 

• Sufficient Fe level 
  • oxygen transport 
  • proper hemoglobin & RBC production

Iron (Fe) is an element that is an important component of hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Iron aids hemoglobin’s transport of oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body. 

The storage form of iron is ferritin. Iron is transported in the blood by a protein called transferrin.

Indications:

Identify:

• Blood loss
• Hemochromatosis
• Malabsorption of iron
• Iron overload

Type of anemia:

• Thalassemia
• Sideroblastic anemia
• Iron deficient anemia

Normal Therapeutic Values:

Normal – 

50-175 μg/dL

Collection:

• plasma separator tube

What would cause increased levels:

What would cause Increased Levels of Iron?

• Hemochromatosis
• Lead toxicity
• Iron poisoning
• Acute liver disease
• Multiple blood transfusions
• Hemolytic anemia
• Sideroblastic anemia

What would cause decreased levels:

What would cause Decreased Levels of Iron?

• Blood Loss:
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding
  • Heavy menstruation
  • Chronic hematuria
• Hypothyroidism
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Inadequate absorption of iron