Serum iron

Total iron binding capacity (TIBC)

• transferrin
• raised in iron deficiency anaemia (IDA)
• raised in pregnancy and by oestrogen

Transferrin saturation

• calculated by serum iron / TIBC

Ferritin

• raised in inflammatory disorders
• low in IDA

Rarer tests

• transferrin receptors increased in IDA

Anaemia of chronic disease

• normochromic/hypochromic, normocytic anaemia
• reduced serum and TIBC
• normal or raised ferritin