Serum Ferritin As A Marker For Iron Deficiency Anaemia In Patients On Regular Haemodialysis Treatment

Abstract

This study was carried out on 50 patients with ESRD on regular haemodylsis 3 times per week. Among these patients, 27 were males (54%) and 23 were females (46 %), their age ranged from 19-66 years with a means of 45,6 ± 11.0 years.

All patients were subjected to laboratory investigations including complete blood picture, serum albumin, CRP, serum iron, serum ferritin and TIBC. Transferrin saturation was calculated.

It was found that:

!-Serum ferritin correlated significantly with C reactive protein.

2-Serum ferritin correlated with iron parameters only in CRP-ve patients.

3-Serum ferritin didn't correlated with Hb

4-Serum albumin didn't correlate with either CRP or serum ferritin.

Summwy And Conclusions

Conclusion:

High serum ferritin level doesn't necessarily indicate ii1creased iron stores where as low serum ferritin levei is a reliable index of i•educed iron stores.

It is true that serun1 ferritin may increase' as a•_ result of i•ncreased iron stores, but may also increase as an acute •phas:e. ;e ctan.ts; \Vhich bears no relation to the iron stores _in the body, these .could be increased normal or . . . -• . decreased.

Therefore it is recommended that high serum ferritin levels should bv • - J

judged in conjunction with CRP and trailsferrin saturation to help identify correctly the iron status of the patients and consequently guide iron therapy in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia of renal failure patients on haemodialysis.