Understanding Low Serum Iron Levels in the Context of Normal Iron Tests
Hello everyone, I'm a 25-year-old male of South Asian heritage, standing at 6 feet tall. Recently, I had a routine health evaluation, during which my doctor, who has been monitoring my health while I've been on isotretinoin for the past three months, suggested a series of blood tests. Below are the findings: - Serum iron: 9 umol/L - Total iron-binding capacity: 57 umol/L - Iron saturation percentage: 16% - Ferritin level: 152 ug/L - Hemoglobin concentration: 154 g/L - Erythrocyte count: 5.91 x 10^12/L - Leukocyte count: 5.64 x 10^9/L - Neutrophils: 2.34 x 10^9/L - Lymphocytes: 3.15 x 10^9/L - Monocytes: 0.62 x 10^9/L - Eosinophils: 0.25 x 10^9/L - Basophils: 0.04 x 10^9/L - Hematocrit value: 0.474 L/L - Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): 81.7 fL - Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH): 26 pg - Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC): 319 g/L - Red blood cell distribution width (RDW): 14.6% - Platelet count: 199 x 10^9/L - Mean platelet volume (MPV): 10.6 fL Despite these results appearing normal in various respects, my doctor suspects there may have been an error concerning my iron levels. Can anyone share insights or potential reasons for this disconnect? I do not smoke, consume alcohol, or use drugs, which raises my concern further. Thanks!
Answers (1)
9/3/2025, 6:01:23 AM
OpenHealth AI
It appears that your blood tests show an interesting situation regarding your serum iron levels, which are low, while other measurements related to iron and your overall blood health seem stable. Let's break this down to address your concerns.
Key Points:
- Your serum iron is low, but ferritin (which indicates iron stores) is normal.
- Other blood counts, including hemoglobin, are normal.
- Your doctor suspects there may be an error concerning the iron results due to the overall context.
Explanation:
-
Serum Iron vs. Ferritin: Serum iron measures the iron currently in your bloodstream, while ferritin reflects your body's stored iron. Since your ferritin level is normal, it suggests you have adequate iron reserves despite the low serum iron.
-
Iron Saturation: Your iron saturation (16%) is also on the lower side but not necessarily alarming, especially when considered alongside your ferritin levels.
-
Potential Issues: There could be several reasons why your serum iron reading is low, including:
- Recent meal timing: Iron levels can fluctuate based on recent dietary intake.
- Lab variations: Sometimes lab errors or variations can lead to unexpected results.
- Increased demand or absorption issues: Factors like gastrointestinal conditions can affect how well your body absorbs iron.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on any symptoms like fatigue, weakness, or unusual paleness, which could indicate low iron levels. If you start experiencing these, it may require further review.
-
Dietary Considerations: Focus on iron-rich foods to support your iron levels naturally. Include sources such as:
- Lean meats (red meat, poultry)
- Fish
- Legumes (lentils, chickpeas)
- Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
- Iron-fortified cereals
-
Follow Up: Communicate with your healthcare provider about repeating the iron tests or considering different lab facilities for confirmation.
-
Keep a Detailed Diary: Track your diet, any symptoms, your feelings, and any triggering factors for your health changes. This can be valuable information for your doctor.
Please remember that health varies from person to person, and it's essential to maintain open communication with your healthcare provider to understand your specific situation better. Let me know if you have further questions or need clarification!
Related Questions
Seeking Solutions for Elbow Discomfort
Hello everyone, I'm reaching out for some guidance regarding a problem I've been facing. During workouts, I often notice a clicking sound in my left elbow, which is quickly followed by considerable discomfort. This issue became so severe that it forced me to halt my exercising routine several months ago due to the intense pain in my elbow. I recently decided to give working out another try, hoping the problem might have improved, but unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. I’m hesitant to seek medical attention since arranging a simple appointment in the UK can be quite challenging and I might face long wait times, as I last heard. I'm curious if anyone else has dealt with similar symptoms and might have some helpful suggestions. Edit: I’m a 17-year-old male. As a side note, I previously speculated that my technique could be the culprit and made a point to review it meticulously, even asking others for their input, but since the issue appears to be restricted to one elbow, I’m fairly confident that my form isn't the problem.
Exploring the Causes of My Hand Pain
I’m a 32-year-old female who suffered an injury during the Christmas holiday of 2023, leading to a diagnosis of De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Initially, my doctor failed to provide any immediate tests or treatments, which left me without significant care for weeks. It wasn't until I consulted a specialist nearly six months later that I received the proper intervention, including injections. Although the tenosynovitis has resolved, I’m now experiencing new discomforts. Most notably, I feel pain in the palm of my hand and the top of my wrist whenever I engage in regular activities. The specialist recommended surgery for a pinched nerve in my elbow to potentially alleviate the issues, but this procedure hasn’t provided the relief I hoped for. An MRI showed only small nodules that the specialist claims are not operable and, according to him, should not be the source of my considerable pain. Also, while my tendon appears larger than the one on my opposite hand, my hand surgeon is reluctant to operate on it due to the risk of causing further damage. While the enlarged tendon isn’t my primary concern—only causing excessive pain when struck—I’ve been grappling with this issue for nearly two years now. Each time I visit my doctor, I’m met with vague responses and a sense of confusion from him. I’m curious if anyone else has dealt with similar situations or has suggestions on what this might be, which tests I might consider requesting, or advice on how to move forward. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Understanding My Daughter's Recurring Fevers: A Parent's Concern
My daughter is a 2.5-year-old girl who weighs 34 pounds and stands 3 feet tall. She hasn’t experienced any weight loss, nor have we observed swollen lymph nodes, bruises, rashes, joint pain, abdominal discomfort, excessive tiredness, or paleness. We have consulted multiple healthcare professionals, including an ENT specialist and three pediatricians (we’ve finally found one we trust). We've made two visits to the emergency room and have gone to urgent care as well. After the last ER visit, her pediatrician referred us to an immunologist to check her IGG levels. Unfortunately, the immunologist caused me a great deal of anxiety, suggesting that I should see a rheumatologist to exclude malignancy. This left me utterly bewildered. Below are the recorded fever episodes and blood test results: ********************* **November 2024** - WBC: 17.7 - RBC: 3.31 - Hemoglobin: 9.0 - Hematocrit: 26.3 - Platelets: 185 - MCV: 80 - MCH: 27.2 - MCHC: 34.2 - RDW: 14.3 - MPV: 6.0 - Neutrophils: 37 - Bands: 0 - Lymphocytes: 53 - Monocytes: 4 - Eosinophils: 1 - Basophils: 0 - Atypical Lymphocytes: 5 - Hematology comments: 1+ Hypo - elevated WBC with predominance of lymphocytes. ********************* **August 2025** She had a fever that appeared after experiencing a cold the previous week. At the ER, they diagnosed her with a UTI and positive Enterovirus. - WBC: 21.41 - Hemoglobin: 11.7 - Hematocrit: 34.8 - Platelets: 312 - MPV: 8.3 - RBC: 4.39 - MCV: 79.3 - MCH: 26.7 - MCHC: 33.6 The absolute neutrophil count was 15.18, making up 71% of the white blood cells, while lymphocytes were at 18.4%. Toxic granulation was noted, but RBC morphology appeared normal. - Sed Rate: 36 - C-Reactive Protein: 5.62 ********************* **September 2025** She developed a fever on August 27 that continued until September 2. - WBC: 18.2 - Hemoglobin: 11 - Hematocrit: 32.1 - Platelets: 374 - MPV: 8.2 - RBC: 4.23 - MCV: 75.9 - MCH: 26 - MCHC: 34.3 - C-Reactive Protein: 8.4 - Sed Rate: 66 ********************* **Fever Log** - Oct 2024 – Jan 2025: Started daycare - Nov 6, 2024 → 4 days of fever (CBC results: WBC 17.7) - Dec 24, 2024 → 2 days of fever - Jan 4, 2025 → 3 days of fever - Jan 23, 2025 → 3 days of fever - Jan – Jun 2025: Stopped daycare - Feb 2, 2025 → 3 days of fever - Mar 7, 2025 → 2 days of fever - May 11, 2025 → 1 day of fever - Jun 16, 2025 – present: Resumed daycare - Jul 7, 2025 → 1 day of fever - Jul 31 – Aug 2, 2025 → 3 days of fever - Aug 9 – Aug 12, 2025 → 3 days of fever - Aug 27 – Sep 2, 2025 → 5–6 days of fever (CBC, CMP, ESR, CRP, viral panel, blood culture performed). I grew increasingly worried, as it felt like the fevers were becoming more predictable, often showing up alongside other symptoms, although occasionally they occurred without any visible signs. I began documenting these occurrences since November 2024 after she started daycare in October 2024. Previous doctors never suggested the possibility of malignancy since she generally exhibits no alarming symptoms. She recovers between fever episodes, and most fevers coincide with symptoms such as a cough or nasal congestion. However, the most recent fever lasted six days without any accompanying signs. We still need to identify the source of her inflammation. Notably, a week before, she was diagnosed with a UTI and had a positive result for the enterovirus on her viral panel. Despite all of this, she remains a cheerful and playful child. The episodes of fever started when she was two years old and became more frequent after starting daycare in October 2024. Is there a doctor or hematologist here who could review these CBC results? I would appreciate any reassurance or guidance you could offer regarding the next steps we should take. We have previously consulted with ENT specialists and pediatric ER doctors, and no one raised any concerns apart from the immunologist/allergist, who appeared less experienced and kept deferring follow-up studies, which has contributed to my anxiety. Thank you for your help!
30-Year-Old Woman Experiencing Chest Discomfort—Should I Be Concerned?
At 30 years old, I often find myself dealing with sensations that feel like trapped air on the left side of my chest. Located roughly in the center but slightly skewed to the left, this discomfort makes it seem as though my heart skips a beat or flutters for a fleeting moment, only to subside after I burp. It’s also accompanied by pain. Additionally, I experience a similar feeling of trapped air on the far left side of my chest, close to my armpit, which is quite uncomfortable. I suspect that I might be dealing with some form of reflux. This issue has persisted for several months, but lately, it appears to have intensified, with these episodes occasionally lasting up to an hour. I’m seeking advice on whether a visit to a healthcare provider is necessary. Is this situation a cause for alarm or merely a bothersome experience? Despite my attempts at relief using antacids like Tums, I haven’t found them effective. Interestingly, these episodes do not always follow meals, although they can occur at that time.
My Mother, 82, Can't Seem to Stop Sweating!
My 82-year-old mother is experiencing relentless sweating, particularly from her head, leaving her completely drenched. Although she has undergone thorough cardiac evaluations and all results came back normal, this exaggerated sweating is alarming. She has always been naturally warmer than others, but this level of perspiration is unprecedented. When she stands in front of a fan, her anxiety worsens, causing her to sweat even more. I can’t help but wonder if her medications are contributing to this issue, though her doctor disagrees with my suspicion. Below is a list of her current prescriptions. Any insights or guidance would be immensely appreciated! - Water pill: taken 1-2 times weekly. - Pantoprazole 40 mg EC tablet. - Dicyclomine 10 mg capsule. - Amitriptyline 25 mg tablet. - Gabapentin 300 mg capsule. - Aspirin 81 mg chewable tablet. - Furosemide 20 mg tablet. - Atorvastatin 40 mg tablet. - Lorazepam 0.5 mg tablet. - Diltiazem CD 120 mg 24 hr capsule. - Nebivolol 10 mg tablet. - Losartan 50 mg tablet. - Hydralazine 25 mg tablet.