Iron Deficiency Profile with Ferritin (5 Tests)
Test Code
PI1
Also Known As
No data available
Test Parameters Included
* Iron Level (Serum Iron) * Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) * Transferrin by Immunoturbidimetry * Transferrin % Saturation * Ferritin
Department
CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
Methodology
* Iron Level: Spectrophotometry * Principle: Serum iron is released from its binding proteins (transferrin) under acidic conditions. This iron (usually in the ferric, Fe3+, form) is then reduced to ferrous iron (Fe2+). The ferrous iron then reacts with a chromogen (a colored complex-forming agent, e.g., ferrozine or bathophenanthroline) to form a colored complex. * Measurement: The intensity of the color produced is directly proportional to the concentration of iron in the sample. This intensity is measured by a spectrophotometer, which passes a specific wavelength of light through the sample and measures the amount of light absorbed. The absorbance is then converted to an iron concentration using a calibration curve. * Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): Spectrophotometry * Principle: Excess iron (usually ferric iron) is added to the serum sample to saturate all available binding sites on transferrin. Unbound, excess iron is then removed (e.g., by precipitation or adsorption). The iron that remains bound to transferrin is then released and measured spectrophotometrically using the same principle as for serum iron. * Transferrin by Immunoturbidimetry: Immunoturbidimetry * Principle: This method quantifies specific proteins (like transferrin) in a sample. When specific antibodies (anti-transferrin antibodies) are mixed with the patient's serum containing transferrin, they bind to the transferrin molecules, forming insoluble antigen-antibody complexes. These complexes cause the solution to become turbid (cloudy). * Measurement: A spectrophotometer measures the increase in turbidity (light scattering) of the solution. The degree of turbidity is directly proportional to the concentration of transferrin in the sample. This allows for a precise and automated measurement of transferrin levels. * Transferrin % Saturation: Calculated Value * Formula: Transferrin % Saturation = (Serum Iron / TIBC) x 100 * This calculation uses the measured serum iron and TIBC values to provide a percentage indicating how much of the total iron-binding capacity of transferrin is actually occupied by iron. It's a key indicator of iron status. * Ferritin: Immunoturbidimetry (or other immunoassay methods like ELISA, Chemiluminescence) * Principle: Similar to transferrin, but specifically for ferritin protein. Anti-ferritin antibodies are used to react with ferritin in the sample, forming immune complexes that cause turbidity. * Measurement: The turbidity (or light scattering) is measured spectrophotometrically, and the concentration of ferritin is determined from a standard curve.
Sample Required
SERUM (1 ML)
* Collection: Blood is drawn by venipuncture, typically from an arm vein.
* Tube Type: Collected in a plain red-top tube or a serum separator tube (SST) with gel.
* Volume: Approximately 1 mL of serum is required, meaning a larger volume of whole blood (e.g., 3-5 mL) must be collected to yield 1 mL of serum after clotting and centrifugation.
* Processing: The blood sample should be allowed to clot at room temperature, then centrifuged to separate the serum.
* Storage: Serum should be promptly separated from cells to prevent the release of iron from red blood cells. If not tested immediately, serum can be refrigerated (2-8°C) for a short period (e.g., up to 24-48 hours) or frozen (-20°C or colder) for longer storage.
Preparation
* Fasting: Patients are typically advised to fast for 8-12 hours prior to the blood collection, as food intake (especially iron-rich foods) can affect serum iron levels. * Medications: Inform your doc... Read more
Schedule Report
12 Hours
Emergency Report
Yes
Frequently Asked Questions
No data available
Test Description
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