TABLE 12.

Cutoff values for erythrocyte protoporphyrin, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation by stages of iron status and by population group (218)

	Population group
	<5 y of age	≥5 y of age
Erythrocyte protoporphyrin
Iron overload	Normal	Normal
Normal iron status	Normal	Normal
Iron depletion	Normal	Normal
Iron deficiency with or without anemia	>70 g/dL RBC	>80 µg/dL RBC
	>2.6 µg/g hemoglobin	>3.0 µg/g hemoglobin
	>61 mmol/mol heme	>70 mmol/mol heme
Serum ferritin, µg/L
Severe risk of iron overload	No cutoff	>200 (adult males)
		>150 (adult females)
Depleted iron stores in the presence of infection	<30	No cutoff
Depleted iron stores	<12	<15
Transferrin saturation, %
Iron overload		>60–70
Iron deficiency anemia		<16