The diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) requires that a patient be anemic and show laboratory evidence of iron deficiency. Red blood cells in IDA are usually described as being microcytic (i.e., mean corpuscular volume less than 80 um³ [80 fL]) and hypochromic, however the manifestation of iron deficiency occurs in several stages.

Patients with a serum ferritin concentration less than 25 ng per mL (25 mcg per L) have a very high probability of being iron deficient. The most accurate initial diagnostic test for IDA is the serum ferritin measurement. Serum ferritin values greater than 100 ng per mL (100 mcg per L) indicate adequate iron stores and a low likelihood of IDA. In some populations, such as those with inflammatory disease or cirrhosis, these tests must be interpreted slightly differently because ferritin is an acute-phase reactant. Cutoffs for abnormality in these patients generally are higher.

Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency

  
*Hemoglobin less than 13 g per dL [130 g per L] for men and less than 12 g per dL [120 g per L] for women


 

References:

1. Killip S, Bennett JM, Chambers MD. Iron deficiency anemia. Am Fam Physician. 2007 Mar 1;75(5):671-8. [Medline]
2. Guyatt GH, Oxman AD, Ali M, Willan A, McIlroy W, Patterson C. Laboratory diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia: an overview. J Gen Intern Med. 1992 Mar-Apr;7(2):145-53. [Medline]

Created Sep 28, 2011.