The Interrelationship of the Serum Iron, Iron Binding Capacity and Tissue Iron

Abstract

In simple iron deficiency there is low serum iron, high unsaturated iron binding capacity, and absence of tissue iron, with variations when there is infection, malnutrition, or hemolytic anemia of malignancy. In hemosiderosis there is usually high serum iron, with low saturated iron binding capacity. The factors are low in most patients with chronic illness, but the tissue iron is increased except when there is hemorrhage.