What causes low iron saturation and low ferritin?

Common causes are blood loss, reduced or impaired RBC production, and the destruction of RBCs. The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia. It sometimes develops due to a diet lacking in nutrients, Crohn’s disease, or the use of certain medications. A doctor can use a CBC blood test to help detect anemia.

What does low ferritin and low iron saturation mean?

Low serum levels of ferritin or transferrin saturation, imply a situation of absolute or functional ID. It is sometimes difficult to differentiate ID anemia from anemia of chronic diseases, which can coexist. In this case, other parameters, such as soluble transferrin receptor activity can be very useful.

Why is serum ferritin low in iron deficiency anemia?

If iron deficiency progresses, ferritin levels and blood iron levels fall as your body uses up stored iron. The body will try to compensate and increase the amount of transferrin to try to transport iron, even if the level of stored iron is very low.

What does low serum iron indicate?

Abnormally low iron levels may mean you haven’t consumed enough iron or your body isn’t absorbing the iron properly. Regularly having heavy menstrual periods can also lead to low iron levels. Low iron levels may also indicate: anemia.

What is the difference between ferritin and iron serum?

serum iron – measures iron levels in serum; represents iron that is almost completely bound to transferrin; transferrin – measures levels of the iron carrier; total iron binding capacity (TIBC) – measures the transferrin capacity to bind iron; serum ferritin – measures the body’s ability to store iron.

What is the difference between serum iron and serum ferritin?

What is dangerously low ferritin levels?

Ferritin: usually low in iron deficiency. Less than 10 is virtually diagnostic of iron deficiency anemia, while levels between 10 and 20 are suggestive.

Can you have low ferritin but normal hemoglobin?

Iron deficiency without anemia can occur when a person has a normal hemoglobin, but below normal serum ferritin and/or transferrin saturation. Iron deficiency with anemia can occur when a person has low values of both serum ferritin and hemoglobin.