Diagnosing Iron Deficiency Anemia

• Iron deficiency is common in patients with CRI^a and a common cause of anemia^1,2


• In patients with anemia, an evaluation should be performed to determine the possible causes
  and contributing factors, including iron deficiency⁷


• KDOQI^TM Guidelines recommend an initial laboratory assessment prior to initiation of therapy,
  including CBC, absolute reticulocyte count, serum ferritin, and TSAT


• Diagnosing iron deficiency remains challenging because absolute iron levels may not reflect
  an underlying deficiency


• While certain patients may not meet a strict definition for iron deficiency anemia (eg, serum ferritin
  <100 ng/mL and TSAT <20%), they still can mount a hemoglobin response to iron replacement therapy¹⁰

^aChronic renal insufficiency (CRI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) refer to the same condition; terminology differs among medical specialties.

CBC=complete blood count; KDOQI=National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative;
TSAT=transferrin saturation.

KDOQI is a trademark of the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.

Now that you know about Diagnosing IDA, learn more about Absolute vs Functional IDA.