Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia by Transferrin Receptor–Ferritin
Diagnosis of iron deficiency has always been a little less than perfect. Too many times I have seen patient’s lab results for serum iron come back normal and the patient is not evaluated further. Remember that serum iron is the last level to drop in the bloodstream, long after iron stores have begun to be depleted.
This article gives us a better tool to use in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia. Also, keep in mind that stomach acid is needed for proper absorption of iron and that vitamin C helps facilitate the absorption of iron.