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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
05:08
Measurement of Tissue Non-Heme Iron Content using a Bathophenanthroline-Based Colorimetric Assay
Published on: January 31, 2022
Assessing iron status: beyond serum ferritin and transferrin saturation
1University Hospitals of Cleveland and Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA. jaywish@earthlink.net
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN
|September 19, 2007
Summary
Diagnosing iron deficiency in chronic kidney disease patients is complex due to comorbidities. Newer markers like reticulocyte hemoglobin content offer alternatives when standard tests are insufficient.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Hematology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common.
- Comorbidities complicate iron deficiency diagnosis using traditional markers.
- Inflammation affects iron metabolism, leading to misleading results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines for iron therapy in CKD.
- To explore alternative iron status biomarkers when standard tests are insufficient.
- To briefly discuss the role of hepcidin in iron regulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of KDOQI guidelines.
- Exploration of emerging iron status markers.
- Brief review of hepcidin's role in iron pathophysiology.
Main Results:
- Serum ferritin and transferrin saturation can be unreliable in anemic CKD patients with comorbidities.
- Newer markers like reticulocyte hemoglobin content show promise.
- Hepcidin plays a role in iron mobilization.
Conclusions:
- Standard iron tests are challenged by comorbidities in CKD anemia.
- Alternative biomarkers are needed for accurate iron status assessment.
- Understanding hepcidin is crucial for managing iron metabolism in CKD.
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