Serum Iron Profile

An iron profile, also known as an iron panel or iron studies, is a group of blood tests that measure various parameters related to iron metabolism in the body. Iron is an essential mineral required for the formation of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood, and for various enzymatic reactions involved in energy metabolism and cellular function. Iron profiles help diagnose and monitor conditions related to iron deficiency or iron overload. Here are the components typically included in an iron profile:

1. Serum Iron:
   • Serum iron measures the concentration of iron in the blood plasma. It reflects the amount of iron circulating in the bloodstream and is influenced by dietary intake, iron absorption, and iron utilization by the body.
   • Normal range: 60-170 μg/dL (10.7-30.4 μmol/L)
2. Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC):
   • TIBC measures the total capacity of transferrin, a protein that binds to and transports iron in the blood. It reflects the body’s ability to bind and transport iron to tissues for various metabolic processes, including hemoglobin synthesis.
   • Normal range: 240-450 μg/dL (42.9-80.6 μmol/L)
3. Transferrin Saturation:
   • Transferrin saturation is calculated as the ratio of serum iron to TIBC and represents the percentage of transferrin saturation with iron.
   • Transferrin saturation provides information about the proportion of transferrin molecules that are bound to iron and is used to assess iron status and iron metabolism.
   • Normal range: 20-50%
4. Serum Ferritin:
   • Ferritin is a protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled manner as needed by the body. Serum ferritin levels reflect the body’s iron stores and are considered the most sensitive indicator of iron status.
   • Normal range: 12-300 ng/mL (12-300 μg/L)
   • Ferritin levels <30 ng/mL (<30 μg/L) are suggestive of iron deficiency, while levels >300 ng/mL (>300 μg/L) may indicate iron overload.
5. Transferrin Receptor (sTfR):
   • Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is a marker of cellular iron uptake and reflects the body’s demand for iron for erythropoiesis (red blood cell production).
   • Elevated sTfR levels may indicate iron deficiency or increased erythropoietic activity, while low levels may indicate adequate iron stores.
   • sTfR levels are sometimes used in conjunction with ferritin levels to assess iron status more accurately.
6. Hematologic Parameters:
   • Hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) are often included in an iron profile to assess red blood cell indices and detect anemia.
   • Anemia can result from iron deficiency, but it can also be caused by other factors such as vitamin deficiencies, chronic diseases, or hemoglobinopathies.

An iron profile is typically ordered to evaluate iron status, diagnose iron deficiency anemia or iron overload disorders (e.g., hemochromatosis), monitor response to iron therapy, or investigate the underlying causes of abnormal iron metabolism. Interpretation of iron profile results should be done in conjunction with clinical findings, medical history, and other laboratory tests to determine the appropriate diagnosis and management plan.