Clinical Chemistry - Iron

Iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent human disorders. In adults iron deficiency is often symptomatic of chronic blood loss. Iron deficiency results in deficient haem synthesis with the subsequent symptoms of anaemia due to tissue hypoxia. Iron (non-heme) measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as iron deficiency anaemia, hemochromatosis (a disease associated with widespread deposit in the tissues of two iron-containing pigments, hemosiderin and hemofuscin, and characterized by pigmentation of the skin), and chronic renal disease.