Table 1

Diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency anaemia

Serum markersDiagnosis for IDA
Haemoglobin<130 g/L males
<120 g/L females
<110 g/L in pregnancy
Ferritin*<30 ug/L if no inflammation
<100 ug/L if inflammation
Transferrin†Raised
Total iron binding capacityRaised
IronReduced
Transferrin saturations<20%
Mean corpuscular volumeLow

  • *Is an positive acute phase protein and can be raised in inflammatory conditions.

  • †Is a negative acute phase protein and can be normal or reduced in inflammatory conditions.

  • IBD, inflammatory bowel disease.