15. Serum Iron and Iron Binding Capacity

Question 1

What is Iron an Essential Component of?

Answer 1

Haemoglobin

Myoglobin

Certain Enzymes

Question 2

What is Functional Iron?

Answer 2

2/3 or MORE of Body’s Total Iron

IN Normoblasts + Erythrocytes

Question 3

What is Iron Involved in?

Answer 3

Enzymatic Reactions = Redox Reactions

Question 4

What Transports Iron?

Answer 4

Plasma Transferrin

1 Molecule BINDS to 2x Atoms of Ferric Ion

Question 5

What are the 2 Storage Irons, and

Where are they Located?

Answer 5

1. Ferritin
2. Hemosiderin
   - In MFs of Reticuloendothelial System

Question 6

1| What is Ferritin?

Answer 6

Water-Soluble Complex of:

• Ferric Salt
• Apoferritin (Protein)

Question 7

2| What is Hemosiderin?

Answer 7

Water INSOLUBLE

Consists of Aggregates of Ferric Oxyhydroxide q/ Degraded Protein Shell

Question 8

Which Specimen is Used for Iron Investigation?

Answer 8

Serum

Question 9

Why is Plasma UNACCEPTABLE Iron Investigation?

Answer 9

Anticoagulant Interferes with Most Procedures

Question 10

What is the Reference Range of Serum IRON in MALES?

Answer 10

11.6 – 31.7 µmol / L

Question 11

What is the Reference Range of Serum IRON in FEMALES?

Answer 11

9 – 30.4 µmol / L

Question 12

What is the Reference Range of Total Iron Binding Capacity, TIBC?

Answer 12

45 - 66 µmol / L

Question 13

What is the Reference Range of Serum FERRITIN in MALES?

Answer 13

20 - 250 µg / L

Question 14

What is the Reference Range of Serum FERRITIN in FEMALES?

Answer 14

15 - 150 µg / L

Question 15

What is the Reference Range of Serum TRANSFERRITIN in MALES?

Answer 15

2 - 4 g / L

Question 16

What are the Indications for Investigating Serum Iron?

Answer 16

Tiredness

Fatigue

Anaemia

Question 17

What are the Analytical Methods for Serum Iron?

Answer 17

1. Photometry

2. Ref = Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Question 18

What are the Analytical Methods for Total Iron Binding Capacity?

Answer 18

1. Chemical Methods = Saturation with Transferrin w/ Iron

2. Immunochemical = Tf as Protein

Question 19

What are the Analytical Methods for Ferritin?

Answer 19

1. ELISA

2. Immunofluoresence

Question 20

What are the Levels of Iron AND TIBC / Transferrin in IRON DEFICIENCY?

Answer 20

LOW Iron

HIGH TIBC / Transferrin

Question 21

What are the Levels of % Transferrin Saturation AND Ferritin in IRON DEFICIENCY?

Answer 21

LOW % Transferrin Saturation

LOW Ferritin

Question 22

What are the Levels of Iron AND TIBC / Transferrin in HEMOCHROMATOSIS?

Answer 22

HIGH Iron

LOW TIBC / Transferrin

Question 23

What are the Levels off % Transferrin Saturation AND Ferritin in HEMOCHROMATOSIS?

Answer 23

HIGH % Transferrin Saturation

HIGH Ferritin

Question 24

What are the Levels of Iron AND TIBC / Transferrin in CHRONIC ILLNESS?

Answer 24

LOW Iron

LOW TIBC / Transferrin

Question 25

What are the Levels off % Transferrin Saturation AND Ferritin in CHRONIC ILLNESS?

Answer 25

LOW % Transferrin Saturation

Normal / HIGH Ferritin

Question 26

What are the Levels of Iron AND TIBC / Transferrin in HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA?

Answer 26

HIGH Iron

Normal / LOW TIBC / Transferrin

Question 27

What are the Levels off % Transferrin Saturation AND Ferritin in HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA?

Answer 27

HIGH % Transferrin Saturation

HIGH Ferritin

Question 28

What are the Levels of Iron AND TIBC / Transferrin in SIDEROBLASTIC ANEMIA?

Answer 28

Normal / HIGH Iron

Normal / LOW TIBC / Transferrin

Question 29

What are the Levels off % Transferrin Saturation AND Ferritin in SIDEROBLASTIC ANEMIA?

Answer 29

HIGH % Transferrin Saturation

HIGH Ferritin

Question 30

What are the Levels of Iron AND TIBC / Transferrin in IRON POISONING?

Answer 30

HIGH Iron

Normal TIBC / Transferrin

Question 31

What are the Levels off % Transferrin Saturation AND Ferritin in IRON POISONING?

Answer 31

HIGH % Transferrin Saturation

Normal Ferritin