Can anyone help with iron panel interpretation please

[Noelnoel]

This is a friend’s recent iron panel

Posted a couple of days ago but hoping for a better response this time

I’ve looked on rT3 adrenals where it says a low transferrin level indicates a lack of capacity for supplemental iron. I really don’t understand this when it’s clear her whole panel is low, including ferritin. My grasp of iron is poor so anyone who does have an understanding and can advise, (@humanbean?) please do. I will then forward this to her

Her folate is just about respectable but B12 is only 22% through the range

I should add she’s about a year post chemo

Thanks all

[Beads]

Transferrin is a protein, made in the liver, which carries the iron molecules in the blood. Transferrin saturation, i.e. how many iron molecules are held by the transferrin is one measure of iron levels. If your (or your friend’s) transferrin saturation is high, then there’s lots of iron attached to it, showing you don’t need much extra. If it’s low then the most likely cause is insufficient iron. They also measure unbound transferrin, molecules of the protein with no bound iron. If this is low it’s the same as a high saturation, plenty of iron and not many spots left to bind.

Your friend’s results show ferritin within range, but lower than we hypos like. Ferritin is a measure of iron stores. So this may be fine for them, or might mean they need more iron rich food.

Actual iron level is again within range, towards the lower end, so again maybe a bit more red meat, green leafy veg, broccoli etc.

Percentage iron saturation, the beginning is cut off. If this is the percentage of transferrin which is carrying iron, then about 30% is relatively normal. If it’s something else then I’m not sure.

Actual transferrin levels. This is below range. It’s not a measure of iron levels in the blood, it looks like actual levels of the protein transferrin. This is made in the liver. Maybe they need a liver panel doing to make sure it’s working properly. Beyond that I have no idea how to increase levels.

So, to sum up, iron levels don’t look too bad, but if the transferrin is saturated to a normal level but there is a low level of actual transferrin then lower than normal levels of iron are being circulated. The fix for this wouldn’t be adding iron but increasing transferrin itself.

[Noelnoel in reply to Beads]

Thank you beads. That’s one helluva input but I’m not sure I understand it enough to explain it to her. Will try to persuade her to join to ask the question herself because I think she could also do with some thyroid help

Appreciate your effort in trying to help