What is iron on a blood test
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Understanding Iron Levels in Blood Tests
Iron Deficiency and Public Health
Iron deficiency (ID) is a significant public health issue, particularly affecting maternal and child health. It can lead to severe consequences such as cognitive impairment in children, fatigue in adults, and adverse pregnancy outcomes . Diagnosing iron deficiency accurately is crucial for effective treatment and management.
Serum Ferritin: A Key Biomarker
What is Serum Ferritin?
Serum ferritin is a protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled fashion. It is a critical biomarker for assessing iron status in the body. Low levels of serum ferritin indicate iron deficiency, while high levels can suggest iron overload or inflammation .
Diagnostic Methods for Serum Ferritin
Traditional methods for measuring serum ferritin involve laboratory-based tests, which can be expensive and require specialized equipment and trained personnel. However, innovative solutions like the ironPhone have been developed to provide a more accessible and affordable means of quantifying serum ferritin using a mobile device and a drop of fingerprick blood. This method has shown high correlation with standard laboratory tests, making it a promising tool for point-of-care diagnostics.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Red Blood Cell Analysis
Role of CBC in Diagnosing Iron Deficiency Anemia
A complete blood count (CBC) is a common test used to diagnose iron deficiency anemia (IDA). It measures various parameters of red blood cells (RBCs), including their size (microcytic) and hemoglobin content (hypochromic). These characteristics are indicative of IDA.
Innovative Diagnostic Techniques
Recent advancements have introduced low-cost and rapid methods for diagnosing IDA, such as the use of aqueous multiphase systems (AMPS). This technique involves separating RBCs based on their density using a simple centrifuge and can be read visually or analyzed with machine learning tools. This method has shown high sensitivity and specificity, making it a viable option for low-resource settings.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Serum Ferritin Radioimmunoassay
Among various laboratory tests, the serum ferritin radioimmunoassay stands out as the most powerful diagnostic tool for iron-deficiency anemia. It has a high area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), indicating excellent diagnostic accuracy. This test is particularly effective when interpreted correctly, considering the patient's overall health condition, including any inflammatory, liver, or neoplastic diseases.
Conclusion
Iron levels in blood tests are crucial for diagnosing iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. Serum ferritin is a key biomarker, and its measurement can be performed using advanced, accessible methods like the ironPhone. Additionally, complete blood count and innovative techniques like AMPS provide valuable insights into red blood cell characteristics, aiding in the diagnosis of IDA. Accurate and accessible diagnostic methods are essential for addressing the widespread issue of iron deficiency and improving public health outcomes.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic