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You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Tests & Exams > Serum Iron

Serum Iron

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Why is the Test Performed?

How is the Test Performed?

How to Prepare for the Test?

How will the Test Feel?

Normal Values

What do Abnormal Results Mean?

Special Considerations

Risks

Pictures & Images

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Alternate Names : Fe++, Fe+2, Ferric Ion, Ferrous Ion, Iron - Serum

Definition

A test that measures the amount of iron in the blood.

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Why is the Test Performed?

This test is performed when iron deficiency is suspected.

About 65% of the iron in the body is found in hemoglobin (in red blood cells) and about 4% in myoglobin (in skeletal muscle). About 30% of the iron in the body is stored (as ferritin or hemosiderin) in the liver, bone marrow, and spleen. A small percentage of the body's iron is in transport between various parts of the body or is a component of proteins in cells throughout the body.

The body efficiently conserves iron so that only about 1 mg (men and post-menopausal women) or 1.8 mg (premenopausal adult women) is lost per day in the urine or menstrual blood. Since only about 10-15% of the iron we eat in our food is absorbed, even under optimum circumstances, the recommended daily allowance for iron is 10 mg (men and post-menopausal women) and 18 mg (premenopausal adult women). Pregnancy greatly increases the need for iron, and iron deficiency is most common in women of reproductive age.

Serum iron, as measured in the laboratory, is really transferrin-associated ferric iron. Each transferrin molecule can carry 2 iron atoms. Normally about 30% of the available sites are filled. This is called the percent transferrin saturation. By completely saturating all the available binding sites, it is possible to measure the total iron binding capacity (TIBC). This is really a measure of the transferrin in the serum. TIBC and percent transferrin saturation are usually measured at the same time serum iron is measured.


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Definition
Why is the Test Performed?
How is the Test Performed?
How to Prepare for the Test?
How will the Test Feel?
Normal Values
What do Abnormal Results Mean?
Special Considerations
Risks
Pictures & Images

Review Date : 6/1/2003
Reviewed By : Marcia S. Brose, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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