🧲 Iron Studies Interpretation
Pattern reading of ferritin, transferrin saturation, TIBC and sTfR to separate iron deficiency, anemia of chronic disease and iron overload. Browser-side.
Iron Studies Interpretation
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When to use
Combine the iron indices to classify iron status, accounting for inflammation's effect on ferritin.
How it works
IDA: ferritin ↓, TSAT < 20%, TIBC ↑. ACD: ferritin normal/↑, TSAT ↓, TIBC ↓/normal. Overload: TSAT > 45%.
Key points
- Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant — use a higher cut-off (< 100) in inflammation.
- sTfR is not affected by inflammation and helps separate IDA from ACD.
- TSAT > 45% screens for iron overload (check HFE).
- Estimate replacement with the Ganzoni iron-deficit tool.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.