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Iron status determination in pregnancy using the Thomas plot.

R Weyers¹, M J Coetzee¹, M Nel²

¹Department of Haematology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State and National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Bloemfontein, South Africa.

International Journal of Laboratory Hematology

|November 15, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The Thomas plot effectively assesses iron status in pregnant women, revealing that while low serum ferritin is sensitive, it

Keywords:

Pregnancy anaemia ferritin iron deficiency reticulocytes

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Area of Science:

Clinical Chemistry and Hematology
Reproductive Medicine and Pregnancy

Background:

Pregnancy-induced physiological changes can complicate standard iron deficiency testing.
Reticulocyte haemoglobin equivalent (RET-He) and serum-soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) are emerging biomarkers for iron deficiency.
The Thomas diagnostic plot integrates RET-He and sTfR for a comprehensive iron status assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the iron status of pregnant women using the Thomas plot.
To assess the diagnostic utility of RET-He and sTfR in pregnant populations.
To compare the Thomas plot findings with traditional iron status indicators.

Main Methods:

Recruited 103 pregnant women attending their first antenatal visit.
Performed routine laboratory tests including serum ferritin, full blood count, and C-reactive protein.
Assayed RET-He and sTfR levels and determined iron status using the Thomas plot.

Main Results:

72.8% of participants exhibited normal iron stores and erythropoiesis per the Thomas plot.
12.6% showed evidence of iron-deficient erythropoiesis.
Serum ferritin demonstrated high sensitivity but low specificity for depleted iron stores; HIV status did not impact iron status.

Conclusions:

The Thomas plot offers valuable insights into iron availability for erythropoiesis in pregnant women.
Low serum ferritin is a sensitive but non-specific marker for iron deficiency in this population.
Anemia in pregnant individuals warrants consideration of causes beyond iron deficiency.