Iron Profile includes:

Serum Iron: Amount of circulating iron bound to transferrin.

TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity): Reflects transferrin’s capacity to bind iron.

Transferrin Saturation: Ratio of serum iron to TIBC.

Ferritin: A protein that stores iron in tissues; reflects body’s iron reserves.

Clinical uses include:

Diagnosing iron deficiency anemia.

Differentiating between iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease.

Detecting iron overload conditions (e.g., hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis).

Monitoring nutritional status and therapy response.

Provides a more complete picture than iron profile alone, since ferritin indicates long‑term iron storage.

Analytes:

Serum Iron (~60–170 µg/dL)

TIBC (~240–450 µg/dL)

Transferrin Saturation (~20–50%)

Ferritin (~20–300 ng/mL; varies by sex and lab)

Abnormal Findings:

Low Iron + High TIBC + Low Ferritin: Iron deficiency anemia.

Low Iron + Low/Normal TIBC + Normal/High Ferritin: Anemia of chronic disease.

High Iron + High Ferritin + Low TIBC: Iron overload (hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis).

Clinical Use:

Provides a comprehensive assessment of iron metabolism.

Helps guide diagnosis and treatment of anemia and iron disorders.

Supports monitoring of iron therapy and nutritional interventions.