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Serum iron

• Overview
• Risks
• Results

Alternative Names:

Fe+2; Ferric ion; Fe++; Ferrous ion; Iron - serum

What the risks are:

• Excess bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Blood under the skin (hematoma)
• Infection
• Many punctures to find veins

Special considerations:

Drugs that can increase iron include chloramphenicol, estrogens, oral birth control, and methyldopa.

Drugs that can lower iron include cholestyramine, chloramphenicol, colchicine, deferoxamine, methicillin, allopurinol, and testosterone.

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Getting a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

References:

Heeney MM, Andrews NC. Iron homeostasis and inherited iron overload disorders: an overview. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am . December 2004;18:1379-1403.

Pieracci FM, Barie PS. Diagnosis and management of iron-related anemias in critical illness. Crit Care Med . July 2006;34:1898-1905.

• Review Date: 3/13/2007
• Reviewed By: Mark Levin, M.D., Hematologist and Oncologist, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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