IMPORTANCE AND COMPLEXITY OF IRON DEFICIENCY TESTING: UNDERSTANDING STFR, UIBC, SERUM IRON, TRANSFERRIN, G6PD, AND FERRITIN
Did you know that among various assays offered by Diatron for Pictus instruments, six are dedicated to test different types of iron? Diatron offers a full profile of iron deficiency testing. Read the below article and find out more about the importance of iron deficiency testing.
Iron deficiency is a common nutritional disorder that can lead to fatigue, weakness, and other health issues if not detected and treated promptly. Accurate and comprehensive testing is crucial for diagnosing iron deficiency and guiding appropriate treatment. Here’s a brief overview of some key tests that Diatron provides to evaluate iron status:
Serum Transferrin Receptor (sTfR)
Serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) is a sensitive marker for assessing iron deficiency. When iron stores are low, the body increases the production of transferrin receptors to enhance iron uptake from the circulation. Elevated levels of sTfR in the blood indicate increased erythropoiesis (red blood cell production) in response to iron-deficiency anemia [1].
Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC)
UIBC measures the amount of transferrin that is available to bind iron. Transferrin is a protein that transports iron in the blood. In iron deficiency, UIBC levels increase because there is less iron available to bind, reflecting the body's attempt to increase iron uptake [2].
Serum Iron
Serum iron measures the amount of iron circulating in the blood. Low levels of serum iron can indicate iron deficiency, while high levels may suggest iron overload or other conditions [3].
Transferrin Saturation
Transferrin saturation is calculated by dividing the serum iron concentration by the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and multiplying by 100. A low transferrin saturation (<20%) is indicative of iron deficiency, whereas high levels (>50%) may suggest iron overload [4].
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD)
G6PD is an enzyme involved in red blood cell metabolism. Deficiency in G6PD can lead to hemolytic anemia, a condition where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be produced. While not directly related to iron deficiency, G6PD testing may be performed to rule out other causes of anemia [5].
Ferritin
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in cells, primarily in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Ferritin levels reflect the body's iron stores, making it a useful indicator of iron deficiency or overload. Low ferritin levels (<15-30 ng/mL) are often seen in iron-deficiency anemia, even before other markers like hemoglobin begin to drop [6].
Conclusion
Iron deficiency testing involves a combination of these markers to provide a comprehensive assessment of iron status. While no single test can definitively diagnose iron deficiency, a panel of tests including sTfR, UIBC, serum iron, transferrin, G6PD, and ferritin can help healthcare providers make an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Bibliography
[1]: Punnonen, K., Irjala, K., Rajamäki, A. (1997). Serum transferrin receptor and its ratio to serum ferritin in the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia. *Blood*, 89(3), 1052-1057.
[2]: Guyatt, G. H., Oxman, A. D., Ali, M., Willan, A., McIlroy, W., Patterson, C., & Labrecque, M. (1992). Laboratory diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia: an overview. *J Gen Intern Med*, 7(2), 145-153.
[3]: Mast, A. E., Blinder, M. A., & Gronowski, A. M. (1998). Clinical utility of the soluble transferrin receptor and comparison with serum ferritin in several populations. *Clin Chem*, 44(1), 45-51.
[4]: Cook, J. D., Skikne, B. S., & Baynes, R. D. (1993). Serum transferrin receptor. *Annu Rev Med*, 44(1), 63-74.
[5]: Luzzatto, L., & Mehta, A. (2001). Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. *In: Scriver CR, Beaudet AL, Sly WS, Valle D, eds. The Metabolic and Molecular Bases of Inherited Disease*. McGraw-Hill, 7th ed.
[6]: Worwood, M. (2007). Serum ferritin: rationale for intensive investigation of haemoglobin concentration in iron deficiency anaemia. *Br J Haematol*, 138(5), 674-678.