Question#01
As iron becomes depleted from the body, what is the progression at which laboratory tests change?
ANSWER: Look at the figure
The left end of the line for each test indicates the
point at which the result deviates from its baseline. As shown in Figure, in general, the depletion of marrow, liver,
and spleen reserves (as represented by ferritin) occurs first. This is followed by a decrease
in transport iron (as represented by transferrin saturation) and finally a fall in
hemoglobin and MCV. The figure illustrates that the absence of anemia does not exclude the possibility of
iron deficiency and that iron depletion is relatively advanced before anemia develops. Tests
of soluble transferrin receptor have become of interest in patients with iron-deficiency anemia
because the elevated levels are very sensitive indicators.
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