LABOKLIN Service ID: 28
Iron is found in the body in the form of haemoglobin and myoglobin. Furthermore, it is a component of various enzymes. In serum, iron is mainly bound to transport proteins.
| Material | Serum or heparin plasma 0.5 ml |
| Method | Photometry |
| Duration | Reporting of results on the day the sample is received (Mon–Sat) |
| Remark | - Iron is a negative acute-phase marker, i.e. in acute inflammation there is a relative or absolute decrease in serum concentrations.
- Elevated serum iron concentrations occur due to the destruction of liver parenchyma (acute hepatitis, cirrhosis). In case of rarely occurring haemochromatosis, increased serum iron concentrations are associated with deposits in the liver and muscles. Elevated concentrations may also occur if the sample quality is poor.
- Determination of iron is also part of the Iron Metabolism Profile. This profile helps to distinguish between absolute iron deficiency (e.g. due to chronic blood loss) and functional iron deficiency (e.g. as a result of inflammatory, infectious or neoplastic processes).
- It is not possible to determine iron levels from EDTA plasma.
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