Exam: 2004 FMGE exam
Subject: Preventive And Social Medicine
Topic: Iron deficiency
Q 110. Best test to detect iron deficiency in community is:
A. Serum transferrin
B. Serum ferritin
C. Serum iron
D. Hemoglobin
Ans. B
A low serum ferritin (<15 ug/L), in...
More
Exam: 2004 FMGE exam
Subject: Preventive And Social Medicine
Topic: Iron deficiency
Q 110. Best test to detect iron deficiency in community is:
A. Serum transferrin
B. Serum ferritin
C. Serum iron
D. Hemoglobin
Ans. B
A low serum ferritin (<15 ug/L), in addition to a low hemoglobin or
hematocrit, confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia.
An intracellular iron storage protein, serum ferritin reflects iron reserves
(1 ug/L=8-10 mg stored iron).
Since the normal range of hemoglobin in African Americans is
approximately 0.8 g/dL lower than whites, a serum ferritin level can also
be useful in identifying iron deficiency in those with mild anemia.
A ferritin level at or above 15 ug/L is suggestive of anemia not related to
iron deficiency. However, since ferritin is an acute phase protein, ferritin
levels may be normal or elevated when iron deficiency and infection,
chronic inflammation, malignancy or conditions causing organ or tissue
damage (e.g., arthritis, hepatitis) occur simulta
Less