What tests or series of tests are best for diagnosing iron deficiency anemia in the setting of chronic inflammation?. Issue 8 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holmes, Chelsey; Rylander, Edward
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based practice. Volume 18:Issue 8(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• DOI: 10.1097/01.EBP.0000541041.09384.5d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1095-4120

Abstract

Abstract : Evidence‐Based Answer : Serum ferritin (<15 μg/L) is the most specific test (98%) to diagnose iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Ferritin levels are most accurate in the absence of inflammation, as ferritin is an acute phase reactant. Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index (sTfR/F index), and reticulocyte hemoglobin concentration (CHr) are not altered by inflammation and can assist in the diagnosis of IDA (SOR: B, systematic review of prospective cohort studies, individual cohort and RCT).