Iron deficiency anemia: current strategies for the diagnosis and management

Abstract

Iron deficiency is one of the commonest nutritional deficiencies in the world. It is multifactorial and may be caused by lack of intake, blood loss and intestinal causes. Clinical features are highly variable, and most patients are asymptomatic. Typical laboratory features of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) include a hypochromic microcytic anemia, low serum iron level, high total iron binding capacity, low serum ferritin level. Usefulness of monitoring serum transferrin receptor level (sTfR) and hepcidin for identifying IDA have been examined in a few studies. Available data suggest that sTfR can potentially become a valuable tool for regular testing of patients in the future. Despite IDA is easily corrected with iron therapy, establishing the cause can be difficult, particularly in cases caused by disorders of iron transport. Education for clinician needs to focus on increasing awareness of the importance of failure respond to iron supplementation. The aim of this review was to outline the current strategies for the diagnosis and management of IDA in the light of the latest reports.

Utility of new red cell parameters for distinguishing functional iron deficiency from absolute iron deficiency in children with familial Mediterranean fever

“…Routine laboratory tests, such as CBC, are fast, cheap, and universally available, and these often help physicians with decision‐making about patients with iron deficiency. Measuring CBC and iron parameters are the gold standard for diagnosing iron deficiency and IDA in healthy children; however, these are not reliable for patients experiencing inflammatory episodes of chronic disease. Several inflammatory markers and iron parameters have been studied as potential tools for diagnosing iron deficiency and IDA during inflammation .…”

“…Measuring CBC and iron parameters are the gold standard for diagnosing iron deficiency and IDA in healthy children; however, these are not reliable for patients experiencing inflammatory episodes of chronic disease. Several inflammatory markers and iron parameters have been studied as potential tools for diagnosing iron deficiency and IDA during inflammation . Serum transferrin receptor level and hepcidin may be useful for distinguishing anemia of chronic disease from IDA, but these tests are not widely available …”

“…Several inflammatory markers and iron parameters have been studied as potential tools for diagnosing iron deficiency and IDA during inflammation . Serum transferrin receptor level and hepcidin may be useful for distinguishing anemia of chronic disease from IDA, but these tests are not widely available …”

“…Several inflammatory markers and iron parameters have been studied as potential tools for diagnosing iron deficiency and IDA during inflammation. 4,[14][15][16][17] Serum transferrin receptor level and hepcidin may be useful for distinguishing anemia of chronic disease from IDA, but these tests are not widely available. 14,15,17 In our study, we used a Unicel ® DxH800 automated hematology device that enabled simultaneous measurement of several new red cell parameters.…”

“…4,[14][15][16][17] Serum transferrin receptor level and hepcidin may be useful for distinguishing anemia of chronic disease from IDA, but these tests are not widely available. 14,15,17 In our study, we used a Unicel ® DxH800 automated hematology device that enabled simultaneous measurement of several new red cell parameters. Of these, reticulocyte Hb content and percentage of hypochromic red cells, in addition to conventional cell indices (eg, MCV, MCH, and MCHC), have become increasingly popular and have been incorporated into the revised guidelines associated with anemia of inflammation.…”