Table 2.

Diagnostic tests for iron deficiency anemia12,15–17,59,60

Test	Applicability
Complete blood count	Suggestive of iron deficiency Not the diagnostic test of choice for iron deficiency Hemoglobin, g/dL (to assess severity of anemia) ○ <13 – men ○ <12 – women
Serum ferritin	Diagnostic test of choice Adult levels, μg/L ○ <15 – diagnostic of iron deficiency ○ 15–50 – probable iron deficiency ○ 50–100 – possible iron deficiencya ○ >100 – iron deficiency unlikely ○ Persistently >1000 – consider test for iron overload
Other
Serum iron Iron-binding capacity Transferrin saturation	Low serum iron and high iron-binding capacity and transferrin saturation <16% may aid in the diagnosis of iron deficiency

Note:

^aSerum ferritin levels of 50–100 μg/L may be indicative of iron deficiency in IBD.

Abbreviation: IBD, inflammatory bowel disease.