title: Rapid diagnosis of iron deficiency by measurement of free erythrocyte porphyrins and hemoglobin: the FEP/hemoglobin ratio.
abstract: The concentration of free erythrocyte prophyrins (FEP) and of hemoglobin can be measured on blood samples spotted on filter paper. The FEP/hemoglobin ratio in iron deficiency increases exponentially with a decrease of both transferrin saturation and hemoglobin level. The FEP/hemoglobin is an indicator of imparied heme synthesis. In small children an elevation of the FEP/hemoglobin ratio is a better indicator of iron-deficiency anemia than low transferrin saturation. The FEP/hemoglobin ratio is normal in thalassemia trait and renal anemia but it may be elevated in sickle-cell anemia. Measurement of FEP and hemoglobin on filter paper provides a useful diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of iron deficiency, of anemia, and (in populations at risk) of leas intoxication.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000740:Anemia / Q000378:metabolism; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000032:analysis*; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000378:metabolism; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D011166:Porphyrins; D014168:Transferrin