[Serum ferritin in iron deficiency anaemia (author's transl)]

Red cell indices, plasma iron, total iron-binding capacity and serum ferritin levels were measured in 73 patients with iron deficiency anaemia. There was decreased plasma iron and MCHC with an increased total iron-binding capacity in 38 patients (type I iron deficiency anaemia). There was no hypochromia in 18 patients with decreased plasma iron and normal total iron-binding capacity; haemoglobin concentration was higher than 90 g/l (type II). Normal MCHC, plasma iron and total iron-binding capacity were found in 17 patients with haemoglobin values higher than 105 g/l (type III). Serum ferritin measurements were made by the immunoradiometric assay. The ferritin concentration was less than 40 micron/l in 66 patients with iron deficiency anaemia. The test proved reliable in diagnosing mild iron deficiency anaemia (types II and III) without bone marrow aspiration.