[Diagnosis of depleted iron stores--do not use s-iron].
BACKGROUND
Analysis of s-ferritin is recommended for the diagnosis of depleted iron stores, but other parameters are still in use. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy for s-iron, s-transferrin, transferrin saturation, b-hemoglobin and erythrocyte-MCH in diagnosing depleted iron stores.


METHODS
Data was collected from the Health Study of Nord-Trøndelag, 1995-1997. Blood samples from 3029 women aged 20-45 were analysed for iron status. In absence of bone marrow aspirate, s-ferritin was used as the standard for iron deficiency.


RESULTS
Highest diagnostic accuracy was found for s-transferrin. S-iron did not contribute with significant independent information.


CONCLUSIONS
S-iron should not be used in the diagnosis of depleted iron stores.
Nødtvedt
G M
GM
Det medisinske fakultet Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet Medisinsk teknisk forskningssenter, Trondheim.
Løvli
O C
OC
Asberg
A
A
D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood*; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000032:analysis*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012372:ROC Curve; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis*
D006454:Hemoglobins; D014168:Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron